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Tobie Lolness #2
Toby and the Secrets of the Tree
The second and final part of the thrilling adventure of heroism and friendship in an unforgettable miniature world.Toby's world is under greater threat than ever before. A giant crater has been dug right into the centre of the Tree, moss and lichen invade the branches, and one tyrant controls it all. Leo Blue, once Toby's best friend, now his worst enemy, is holding Elisha prisoner, hunting the Grass People with merciless force, capturing all who stand in his way, inflicting a life of poverty and fear. But returning after several years among the Grass People, Toby will fight back. And this time he's not alone. A resistance is forming...This eagerly anticipated sequel to the award-winning Toby Alone is a gripping conclusion to a new classic adventure story.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
47 people are currently reading
843 people want to read
About the author
Timothée de Fombelle
49 books428 followersAs a child...
Timothee de Fombelle was born in the heart of Paris in 1973, but often accompanied his architect father on his travels to Africa. Each summer his family left for the countryside (the west of France), where the five brothers and sisters lived like wild horses, making huts in the trees, playing in the river and losing themselves in the woods. In the evening they performed plays for their parents and devoured the books in the library. Childhood remains for him the lost paradise which he re-discovers through writing.
As an adult...
After becoming a literature teacher, Timothee taught in Paris and Vietnam before choosing the bohemian life of the theatre. Author of a dozen plays, he writes, designs, builds sets and directs the actress he admires the most, his wife Laetitia. They have a young daughter, Jeanne Elisha, who already loves climbing trees. Toby Alone is his first novel and has already been translated into 22 languages.
As an artist...
Passionate about books and theatre, Timothee has been writing since he was young. The stage has been his testing ground but it is life, with its joys and trials, which inspires his real work. A great traveller, Timothee recognises that the writing of Toby Alone has been his best journey so far.
Timothee de Fombelle was born in the heart of Paris in 1973, but often accompanied his architect father on his travels to Africa. Each summer his family left for the countryside (the west of France), where the five brothers and sisters lived like wild horses, making huts in the trees, playing in the river and losing themselves in the woods. In the evening they performed plays for their parents and devoured the books in the library. Childhood remains for him the lost paradise which he re-discovers through writing.
As an adult...
After becoming a literature teacher, Timothee taught in Paris and Vietnam before choosing the bohemian life of the theatre. Author of a dozen plays, he writes, designs, builds sets and directs the actress he admires the most, his wife Laetitia. They have a young daughter, Jeanne Elisha, who already loves climbing trees. Toby Alone is his first novel and has already been translated into 22 languages.
As an artist...
Passionate about books and theatre, Timothee has been writing since he was young. The stage has been his testing ground but it is life, with its joys and trials, which inspires his real work. A great traveller, Timothee recognises that the writing of Toby Alone has been his best journey so far.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
October 30, 2014
One of the best book I have ever read, I was genuinely surprised why this did not received higher ratings.
Continue from the cliff hanger at the end of Tobie Alone, Monsieur de Fombelle has outdone himself.
Avoiding spoilers, I'll try to be brief, in Elisha's eyes( the literal translation, I have no idea why the English edition was titled what it is), one can actually see the characters grow, see them become real, no longer some single-layered fictional creation. Seemingly unrelated, various big events as well as inconspicuously insignificant ones all came together for the grand finale, as the many threads of a carpet.
Please do not view this duo as a children's book or some Eco-friendly novel preaching about wild-life conservation; instead embrace it as a grand adventure with affable characters and intriguing mysteries. Improbable at first, but in the end, all made perfect sense, in the words of the late Ray Bradbury:"Looking back over a lifetime, you see that love was the answer to everything."
Continue from the cliff hanger at the end of Tobie Alone, Monsieur de Fombelle has outdone himself.
Avoiding spoilers, I'll try to be brief, in Elisha's eyes( the literal translation, I have no idea why the English edition was titled what it is), one can actually see the characters grow, see them become real, no longer some single-layered fictional creation. Seemingly unrelated, various big events as well as inconspicuously insignificant ones all came together for the grand finale, as the many threads of a carpet.
Please do not view this duo as a children's book or some Eco-friendly novel preaching about wild-life conservation; instead embrace it as a grand adventure with affable characters and intriguing mysteries. Improbable at first, but in the end, all made perfect sense, in the words of the late Ray Bradbury:"Looking back over a lifetime, you see that love was the answer to everything."
December 22, 2020
Dù đã cố đọc rất, rất, chậm rồi nhưng cái gì hết thì cũng phải hết, huhu. Nếu có nhiều sao hơn, tui sẵn sàng cho thêm không ngần ngại. Xuất sắc.
April 4, 2021
Tiešām prieks par šo bērnības grāmatu))) Gluži tāpat kā pirmā daļa, brīnišķīga.
December 26, 2022
Okay…yeah. That was a good book. The only way you can’t see that is if you were stiff and refused to submerge yourself into this world. There could be varying reasons for this stiffness, a back injury, a rigid upbringing…muscle solidification. Regardless, you should eagerly seek out the antidote so you can come back and revel in Fombelle’s childrens’ literary masterpiece.
And hey I get it, some of the bad guys are pretty strange, or downright gross (overall more so in book 1 than in 2), but don’t let that pull you out of experiencing the emotions, the ups and downs, the tears, the courage…or even the pancakes. It’s not worth missing a single detail of this heartfelt little epic tale and the tight-knit bond of those who have struggled against great evil and not let it blacken their own hearts. It’s a story about courage and love.
Yeah…it’s a pretty good one.
And hey I get it, some of the bad guys are pretty strange, or downright gross (overall more so in book 1 than in 2), but don’t let that pull you out of experiencing the emotions, the ups and downs, the tears, the courage…or even the pancakes. It’s not worth missing a single detail of this heartfelt little epic tale and the tight-knit bond of those who have struggled against great evil and not let it blacken their own hearts. It’s a story about courage and love.
Yeah…it’s a pretty good one.
December 26, 2022
Such a good book! Deep, with raw emotion and sweet tenderness, and peril, Toby and the Secrets of the Tree is a truly fantastic sequel to Toby Alone. Everything from Toby Alone comes to climax and fruition in this tense conclusion you simply won’t be able to bear to set down. Read Toby Alone and Toby and the Secrets of Tree, you will be touched and moved. All that’s beautiful and terrible about life is displayed within the world of Toby. The trials in this book ring true for humanity and the experience of this tiny world is fascinating. Beautiful story and wonderful translation. Five solid stars.
July 21, 2016
Hai cuốn Tobie Lolness này là bộ sách dành cho tuổi thiếu niên rất chi hay ho. Hay hơn, mặc dù không đình đám như Harry Potter hay Hunger Games, là cái chắc.
June 27, 2018
De l'aventure, de la fantaisie, de l'amitié et de l'amour ! Superbe !
December 26, 2022
“Life starts now.”
This is one of those rare ones that number among the best kind of stories. The stories that make you look inside yourself. The stories that take you on a journey and, when they leave you, they leave you in a different place than you were before you opened their cover.
Yes, Toby and the Secrets of Tree surpasses Book 1, Toby Alone. Partly this is because at this point we know our characters, so we don’t have to spend time getting to know them. Rather like the way one can thoroughly enjoy Season 2 of an especially good tv series. The plot of the second book beautifully weaves the threads of the first together in a spider’s masterpiece of silken art.
At the beginning, this was Toby’s story. But it’s not anymore. This the story of the whole Tree. It’s even the story of those beyond the Tree. It’s the story of all of us.
There’s such an abundance of pathos here it makes your heart ache. A poor cobbler betrayed by his wife, listening each night to the whispered conversations of a couple deeply, loyally in love through the worst trials of their life, then the man who was so traumatized he’s been considered mute for years, but now, suffering fresh abuse in the prison camp, he screams at night, and oh don’t forget the blind and deaf young man who has friends so good and true they still tell him “goodnight,” even though he can’t hear them, and the poor innocent little ten-year-old who has an appointment with a master torturer. I could go on…seriously I could. I almost want to, to help adequately express how much is packed into this expansive sequel.
Maybe if it wasn’t so true to life, so true to humanity, it wouldn’t stir the emotions the way it does. Maybe a young, blissfully sheltered child could read it without getting their heart stirred. I don’t know.
I do know that it was perfect for this time and season in life. It was cathartic for me. And for that, I’m appreciatively thankful to the certain someone who so kindly recommended it.
This is one of those rare ones that number among the best kind of stories. The stories that make you look inside yourself. The stories that take you on a journey and, when they leave you, they leave you in a different place than you were before you opened their cover.
Yes, Toby and the Secrets of Tree surpasses Book 1, Toby Alone. Partly this is because at this point we know our characters, so we don’t have to spend time getting to know them. Rather like the way one can thoroughly enjoy Season 2 of an especially good tv series. The plot of the second book beautifully weaves the threads of the first together in a spider’s masterpiece of silken art.
At the beginning, this was Toby’s story. But it’s not anymore. This the story of the whole Tree. It’s even the story of those beyond the Tree. It’s the story of all of us.
There’s such an abundance of pathos here it makes your heart ache. A poor cobbler betrayed by his wife, listening each night to the whispered conversations of a couple deeply, loyally in love through the worst trials of their life, then the man who was so traumatized he’s been considered mute for years, but now, suffering fresh abuse in the prison camp, he screams at night, and oh don’t forget the blind and deaf young man who has friends so good and true they still tell him “goodnight,” even though he can’t hear them, and the poor innocent little ten-year-old who has an appointment with a master torturer. I could go on…seriously I could. I almost want to, to help adequately express how much is packed into this expansive sequel.
Maybe if it wasn’t so true to life, so true to humanity, it wouldn’t stir the emotions the way it does. Maybe a young, blissfully sheltered child could read it without getting their heart stirred. I don’t know.
I do know that it was perfect for this time and season in life. It was cathartic for me. And for that, I’m appreciatively thankful to the certain someone who so kindly recommended it.
September 24, 2018
Lēnā garā pa lapaspusei meitai pirms gulētiešanas. Tobija piedzīvojumi turpinās un laimīgi noslēdzas. Darbs domāts pamātīgs un ar daudziem zemtekstiem. Varētu teikt, ka grāmata visām paaudzēm, katra atradīs kaut ko priekš sevis. Nedaudz traucēja atsevišķu notikumu nehronoloģiskais atstāsts un līdzīgie personāžu vārdu. Brīžiem nācās pašķirstīt lapaspuses atpakaļ, lai atcerētos, kas iepriekš bijis pieminētais personāžs. Beigu beigās viss sapinās kopīgā ņudzeklī, kas rada nelielu vēlmi grāmatu pārlasīt vēlreiz. Tas lasītājiem ar ne pārāk stabilu un ilglaicīgu atmiņu.
May 11, 2019
Beş yıl önce okuduğum seriyi, aynı heyecan, hayranlık ve merakla yeniden okudum. Fombelle çok iyi.Yarattığı büyülü dünyayı, şiirsel dilini ve ince mizahını seviyorum.
October 5, 2010
The sequel and conclusion to Toby Alone, an "eco-adventure" about tiny beings who live in a giant tree that is being destroyed by the dimwitted but powerful Joe Mitch, is an excellent follow-up that wraps up nicely. There are a lot of parts to this book, which make it hard for me to explain the plot, but essentially it's a story of discovery, journey, and adventure, with a subtle environmental theme running throughout. While it's not a page-turner to me, the world that Timothee de Fombelle creates with rather complex characters (except for a few of the bad guys, who truly are just bad guys...although they often have a dark and unfortunate upbringing) is compelling and detailed.
August 8, 2020
Ui, đỉnh thực sự. Cuốn này vượt xa Cuốn sách của Perle nhiều luôn. Tuyến nhân vật chính lẫn phụ đều tỏa sáng và gây ấn tượng mạnh, kể cả phản diện Leo Blue (gì chứ mình thấy anh này ngầu lòi). Đúng là truyện cho trẻ con, không có chuyện đổ máu nhiều ở đây
October 11, 2025
This series is SO special. And I reckon I even prefer Toby and the Secrets of the Tree to Toby Alone! I *wish* so much I could give it more than 5 stars. I adored these books as a child, but had forgotten a lot of the plot. Rereading this as an adult was a delight, I couldn't put it down, and it kept making me cry! De Fombelle doesn't shy away from depicting human suffering - especially the kinds we inflict on each other, and it is achingly sad at points. But it is also so very hopeful and beautiful, and I would highly recommend this series, to children and adults alike. I felt like there was much I missed as a child, that I appreciate more now. It is brimful of so much jeopardy, beauty, adventure, and love. Toby's story has everything and more you could wish for in a book.
Strange as it sounds, I feel like I learnt more about how to be a human from rereading this children's book than I could from any self help or non fiction book out there. I think I need to have a yearly reread of this series now 🌳
Strange as it sounds, I feel like I learnt more about how to be a human from rereading this children's book than I could from any self help or non fiction book out there. I think I need to have a yearly reread of this series now 🌳
August 20, 2021
Une relecture en format audio qui a confirmé mon souvenir d’une belle série entraînante ! ☺️
May 19, 2024
Tse, c'est à ça que je m'attends quand on me dit qu'un livre est excellent.
October 11, 2025
5/5
ces deux tomes n'ont pas reculé face à la perspective de montrer des scènes de peur, de violence, de souffrance, et je les en remercie, parce que ce serait prendre les enfants pour des cons. j'ai trouvé la description des conditions des Pelés juste mais aussi remplie de compassion et de compréhension, livre de gauche si on en a jamais vu
"'Je prends soin de ceux qui m'entourent.' Oui, ce principe était beau. Mais que faire de ceux que personne n'entoure ?" (p190)
ces deux tomes n'ont pas reculé face à la perspective de montrer des scènes de peur, de violence, de souffrance, et je les en remercie, parce que ce serait prendre les enfants pour des cons. j'ai trouvé la description des conditions des Pelés juste mais aussi remplie de compassion et de compréhension, livre de gauche si on en a jamais vu
"'Je prends soin de ceux qui m'entourent.' Oui, ce principe était beau. Mais que faire de ceux que personne n'entoure ?" (p190)
March 19, 2024
Roman jeunesse poétique et touchant, on suit le jeune Tobie dans sa quête pour retrouver ses parents, kidnappés par l'infame Jo Mitch. Un livre qui porte de belles valeurs écologiques, d'amour et de respect. Il invite à savourer les bonheurs simples et à s'émerveiller des prodiges de la nature. En cela, il porte aussi une deuxième lecture plus profonde pour des adultes. On le lit d'une traite.
June 28, 2010
This is the second of a pair of books about Toby Lolness, a millimeter and a half tall boy whose whole world is the tree on which he was born. The story follows Toby as the greedy and evil Joe Mitch threatens the tree on which they all live with his damaging environmental practices. Toby's family is also put in jeopardy when Toby's father makes the radical claim that the tree is alive and must be treated with gentle respect and refuses to give up the secrets of his scientific discoveries to further Joe Mitch's plans. The whole world of the tree turns against Toby's family and he is separated from his parents and forced to flee.
While this book could probably be read independently, it will make the most sense in the context of book 1 (Toby Alone).
Overall, Toby's world is cute, entertaining and well thought out. The little details about the lives of the characters such as that they make four from leaves and coats from bumblebee fur really make the book enjoyable. There is also a decent amount of clever humor.
My biggest complaint is that the story is a bit didactic for my personal tastes and the reader almost feels beat over the head with the messages. Things also seem to wrap up almost too neatly. Everyone finds a girl or guy, recognizes and fixes their faults, and lives happily ever after in the end. That may not bother younger readers, but it was a bit much for me.
Nonetheless, I think kids will really enjoy this story. It has adventure, a cleverly thought out fantasy world, and a bit of romance thrown in. It also has an ending that should satisfy those who were frustrated by book 1's cliffhanger. Toby and the Secrets of the Tree is a cute and satisfying read.
While this book could probably be read independently, it will make the most sense in the context of book 1 (Toby Alone).
Overall, Toby's world is cute, entertaining and well thought out. The little details about the lives of the characters such as that they make four from leaves and coats from bumblebee fur really make the book enjoyable. There is also a decent amount of clever humor.
My biggest complaint is that the story is a bit didactic for my personal tastes and the reader almost feels beat over the head with the messages. Things also seem to wrap up almost too neatly. Everyone finds a girl or guy, recognizes and fixes their faults, and lives happily ever after in the end. That may not bother younger readers, but it was a bit much for me.
Nonetheless, I think kids will really enjoy this story. It has adventure, a cleverly thought out fantasy world, and a bit of romance thrown in. It also has an ending that should satisfy those who were frustrated by book 1's cliffhanger. Toby and the Secrets of the Tree is a cute and satisfying read.
December 25, 2017
Not much compared to the previous book.I want to say there was too much going but again Toby Alone had so much more going on.Everything was brief but satisfying.In this book it felt like Lila had no part,where in the name of God did Nils spring from,Leo is a maniac and obsessed with his own sister yet forgets her why?Elisha isnt that weak.Plok's speech story feltlike it came outta no where.
BUT there were good things too.
BUT there were good things too.
March 6, 2023
I love this book and it’s predecessor Toby Alone. This book only expands and makes richer the story begun in the first book, like a flower bud opening. These are stories with depth: they are a lot about human nature, loyalty, betrayal, love, courage, darkness, cruelty, hope, fidelity, patience, purpose, destiny & pain. A powerful and meaningful story. Lila’s story within the story was especially special to me.
October 21, 2023
C’est une pure dinguerie, il est trop bien. Vraiment merci encore timothée comme d’habitude tu nous régale.
Je m’en remet pas de la tension qui se créer à la fin genre ahhhh vraiment je n’arrivais pas à tenir mes yeux en place pour qu’ils ne glissent pas des paragraphes et que je m’auto spoil.
Roh mais ma parole c’était trop bien.
Je m’en remet pas de la tension qui se créer à la fin genre ahhhh vraiment je n’arrivais pas à tenir mes yeux en place pour qu’ils ne glissent pas des paragraphes et que je m’auto spoil.
Roh mais ma parole c’était trop bien.
August 7, 2024
Naprawdę fantastyczna kontynuacja, a najlepiej świadczy o tym chyba to, że chociaż pierwszą część czytałam jakieś 8 lat temu, wszystko zrozumiałam i świetnie się bawiłam. Bardzo emocjonująca, a zakończenie bardzo satysfakcjonujące.
February 9, 2025
Une suite à la hauteur ! Cet univers me manquera :)
October 18, 2018
Toby again, finishing the story that started in the first part..
again this wonderful imaginary world of little things that you might find on any tree around...
adventurous, with lots of hidden messages for our world if you know how to look for them...
good fighting the evil, classic evergreen..
I can imagine how I would love this story if I were a child reading it or even more if it was being read to me...
again this wonderful imaginary world of little things that you might find on any tree around...
adventurous, with lots of hidden messages for our world if you know how to look for them...
good fighting the evil, classic evergreen..
I can imagine how I would love this story if I were a child reading it or even more if it was being read to me...
May 13, 2019
One of the things I love most in this series are the parallels to our world and it’s problems. Exploitation of nature, dictatorship, racism,.... There‘s so much to learn from these books. Also I love the perspective of the small people that is shown and all the metaphores to our life. And besides of all that I also really enjoyed the storyline and the style of writing.
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December 14, 2024Le bonheur de se laisser emporter dans une belle aventure, un monde à la fois très semblable au nôtre et décalé, une histoire ou s’expriment les émotions qui nous traversent tous dans nos vies… un grand plaisir !
July 22, 2020
The story of Tobie Lolness is a pure masterpiece ! So moving, so delicate and yet so meaningful.
May 24, 2021
Úžasný. Dobrodružný, romantický, poučný.
October 22, 2022
- fantastico
- l'ho divorato
- si ripetono tutti i punti positivi del primo volume, questo è leggermente più intricato e con molta più azione
- l'ho divorato
- si ripetono tutti i punti positivi del primo volume, questo è leggermente più intricato e con molta più azione
October 15, 2023
A strong follow-up. I feel like I had a bit of a harder time to get in this second part but overall it was still a very good book. Everything that I liked in part one were still there: adventure, mystery, humanity, community and so on. It's so well written and enjoyable!
And it's impressive how the author managed to balance so smoothy adventure & reflection about the world we live in & how humans act. Nothing feels forced and it's there. Really appreciated it.
And it's impressive how the author managed to balance so smoothy adventure & reflection about the world we live in & how humans act. Nothing feels forced and it's there. Really appreciated it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews