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Under The Divi Tree - True Love Needs No Reason.
Matthew Crane, a former Police Detective and business entrepreneur, and his wife Carol have it all; a fairytale marriage; the envy of all their friends.
After retiring financially secure, Matthew plans a surprise vacation for Carol and him.
Before they are scheduled to depart, Mathew is overcome by a mysterious illness that leaves him in a deep sleep state that no modern medical professional has ever seen. It creates a medical mystery that takes more than his doctor’s efforts, a brilliant but baffled top neurologist and close personal friend of Matthew’s to solve.
His medical team and wife soon discover that his physiological functions have ceased. He is not aging, his hair and nails have stopped growing, and his biological clock may have ceased to run. It is as though he is in a state of suspended animation.
Obsessed with finding out what is wrong with him, Carol becomes the detective Matthew used to be and searches the world for answers.
The medical mystery deepens when against his doctor’s advice, Carol meets with a doctor from Mumbai, India, who claims he has the answer to Matthew’s condition. But is he a charlatan or genuine?
She is lead to believe that Matthew’s universe does not extend outside his mind.
Carol discovers the key to unlocking this mystery is sealed inside Matthew’s mind. Only he can solve this mystery. His dreams are the only thing that can bring him back to reality and awaken. But for how long can Matthew dream?
This story is of one couple’s love and commitment to each other, only to be interrupted by a medical mystery that will leave the reader wondering, can this medical malady actually occur, or is it merely a work of fiction? You, the reader, will have to decide.
After retiring financially secure, Matthew plans a surprise vacation for Carol and him.
Before they are scheduled to depart, Mathew is overcome by a mysterious illness that leaves him in a deep sleep state that no modern medical professional has ever seen. It creates a medical mystery that takes more than his doctor’s efforts, a brilliant but baffled top neurologist and close personal friend of Matthew’s to solve.
His medical team and wife soon discover that his physiological functions have ceased. He is not aging, his hair and nails have stopped growing, and his biological clock may have ceased to run. It is as though he is in a state of suspended animation.
Obsessed with finding out what is wrong with him, Carol becomes the detective Matthew used to be and searches the world for answers.
The medical mystery deepens when against his doctor’s advice, Carol meets with a doctor from Mumbai, India, who claims he has the answer to Matthew’s condition. But is he a charlatan or genuine?
She is lead to believe that Matthew’s universe does not extend outside his mind.
Carol discovers the key to unlocking this mystery is sealed inside Matthew’s mind. Only he can solve this mystery. His dreams are the only thing that can bring him back to reality and awaken. But for how long can Matthew dream?
This story is of one couple’s love and commitment to each other, only to be interrupted by a medical mystery that will leave the reader wondering, can this medical malady actually occur, or is it merely a work of fiction? You, the reader, will have to decide.
327 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 10, 2025
Under the Divi Tree by Michael Solomon is far more than a novel, it is an experience, one that gently lures you into a strange and beautiful world where science, love, and mystery intertwine in ways that are both haunting and enlightening. From the first chapter, I was captivated by the emotional intimacy between Matthew and Carol. Their marriage is the kind many dream of: loving, stable, full of mutual respect and laughter. But that serenity is abruptly interrupted by Matthew’s sudden descent into a mysterious sleep-like state that defies all medical explanation. What begins as a medical emergency quickly unfolds into a psychological and spiritual enigma.
What sets this book apart is how Solomon handles the unknown. The narrative doesn’t try to rush to an explanation, it allows us to sit with the mystery, to feel Carol’s fear, confusion, and determination. Carol’s transformation from a devoted wife into a relentless seeker of answers is deeply moving. She crosses borders, defies doctors, and puts her own beliefs to the test in the pursuit of bringing her husband back. Her courage is quiet but unwavering, and her emotional journey is as compelling as the mystery itself.
The novel’s central question, whether Matthew’s universe is now confined to his mind, is explored with poetic sensitivity. Solomon’s prose is elegant and layered, especially in the scenes where dreams blur into something deeper, more symbolic. The book dances on the edge of metaphysics without ever losing its emotional grounding. It’s about love as a force beyond reason or biology, a bond that endures even when time itself seems to pause.
By the end, I found myself deeply moved. This is a story that lingers in the soul, one that asks: what do we do when love is all we have left? For readers who crave substance, mystery, and meaning, this novel delivers in every way.
What sets this book apart is how Solomon handles the unknown. The narrative doesn’t try to rush to an explanation, it allows us to sit with the mystery, to feel Carol’s fear, confusion, and determination. Carol’s transformation from a devoted wife into a relentless seeker of answers is deeply moving. She crosses borders, defies doctors, and puts her own beliefs to the test in the pursuit of bringing her husband back. Her courage is quiet but unwavering, and her emotional journey is as compelling as the mystery itself.
The novel’s central question, whether Matthew’s universe is now confined to his mind, is explored with poetic sensitivity. Solomon’s prose is elegant and layered, especially in the scenes where dreams blur into something deeper, more symbolic. The book dances on the edge of metaphysics without ever losing its emotional grounding. It’s about love as a force beyond reason or biology, a bond that endures even when time itself seems to pause.
By the end, I found myself deeply moved. This is a story that lingers in the soul, one that asks: what do we do when love is all we have left? For readers who crave substance, mystery, and meaning, this novel delivers in every way.
July 10, 2025
To say I was impressed by Under the Divi Tree would be an understatement. Michael Solomon has created something truly special here, a novel that feels both deeply personal and thematically vast. What begins as a romantic retirement story quickly spirals into something far more complex and compelling. When Matthew collapses into a strange, undiagnosable sleep, Solomon does not take the easy route. Instead, he plunges into uncharted territory, creating a story that is as much about love as it is about the unknown.
Carol’s arc is what kept me emotionally anchored throughout. Her response to Matthew’s condition is so powerfully rendered, her refusal to let go, her global search for answers, her willingness to meet questionable experts when no one else has answers, it all speaks to the resilience of human love. She becomes the hero of the story, not because she saves Matthew (though she tries), but because she never stops believing he’s still there. And that kind of belief is a rare thing to see portrayed so well in fiction.
Solomon’s exploration of the mind is also remarkable. He creates a mystery within Matthew’s own subconscious, and we, the readers, begin to understand that the only person who can truly bring him back is himself. That alone is a powerful metaphor for grief, healing, and awakening.
This book also poses an irresistible question: if love doesn’t need reason, can it also defy the laws of time, medicine, and consciousness? By the final pages, you’ll be asking yourself that very thing.
For readers looking for a novel that respects both the intellect and the heart, Under the Divi Tree is a must-read. It’s thoughtful, lyrical, and unforgettable.
Carol’s arc is what kept me emotionally anchored throughout. Her response to Matthew’s condition is so powerfully rendered, her refusal to let go, her global search for answers, her willingness to meet questionable experts when no one else has answers, it all speaks to the resilience of human love. She becomes the hero of the story, not because she saves Matthew (though she tries), but because she never stops believing he’s still there. And that kind of belief is a rare thing to see portrayed so well in fiction.
Solomon’s exploration of the mind is also remarkable. He creates a mystery within Matthew’s own subconscious, and we, the readers, begin to understand that the only person who can truly bring him back is himself. That alone is a powerful metaphor for grief, healing, and awakening.
This book also poses an irresistible question: if love doesn’t need reason, can it also defy the laws of time, medicine, and consciousness? By the final pages, you’ll be asking yourself that very thing.
For readers looking for a novel that respects both the intellect and the heart, Under the Divi Tree is a must-read. It’s thoughtful, lyrical, and unforgettable.
July 14, 2025
When I picked up Under The Divi Tree, I was expecting a gentle love story, but what I got was an emotionally layered, mind-bending journey into the depths of loyalty, mystery, and the human spirit.
Michael Solomon’s writing is elegant and accessible, yet rich with philosophical undercurrents. The story begins simply enough with Matthew and Carol, a couple who embody the dream, deeply in love, successful, and finally free to enjoy retirement. But things quickly take a turn when Matthew collapses into an unexplained coma-like state that baffles even top neurologists. From there, the book unfolds like a cinematic thriller laced with spiritual and psychological intrigue.
Carol’s transformation into a woman driven by love and instinct is beautifully portrayed. Her journey from grief to determination, her willingness to explore answers beyond the scientific realm, and her encounters with global experts make the story both expansive and intimate.
What sets this book apart is its ability to blend genres, medical suspense, metaphysical fiction, and romance, into something deeply human. I was riveted, often pausing just to absorb the emotional gravity of a scene. The ending, without spoiling anything, stayed with me long after I closed the final chapter.
Perfect for fans of books like The Time Traveller's Wife or Still Alice, but with its own unique voice. Highly, highly recommended.
Michael Solomon’s writing is elegant and accessible, yet rich with philosophical undercurrents. The story begins simply enough with Matthew and Carol, a couple who embody the dream, deeply in love, successful, and finally free to enjoy retirement. But things quickly take a turn when Matthew collapses into an unexplained coma-like state that baffles even top neurologists. From there, the book unfolds like a cinematic thriller laced with spiritual and psychological intrigue.
Carol’s transformation into a woman driven by love and instinct is beautifully portrayed. Her journey from grief to determination, her willingness to explore answers beyond the scientific realm, and her encounters with global experts make the story both expansive and intimate.
What sets this book apart is its ability to blend genres, medical suspense, metaphysical fiction, and romance, into something deeply human. I was riveted, often pausing just to absorb the emotional gravity of a scene. The ending, without spoiling anything, stayed with me long after I closed the final chapter.
Perfect for fans of books like The Time Traveller's Wife or Still Alice, but with its own unique voice. Highly, highly recommended.
July 8, 2025
Few books manage to balance genre elements as skillfully as Under The Divi Tree. On one hand, it’s a heartfelt love story. On the other, it’s a compelling medical mystery with hints of metaphysical fantasy. Michael Solomon weaves it all together with such grace and emotional intelligence that you forget you’re reading fiction, you feel like you’re living through it.
Carol’s resilience, her refusal to accept the inexplicable fate of her husband, is the beating heart of the novel. I was especially drawn to her transformation. Her decision to take the investigation into her own hands mirrors the detective work Matthew once thrived on, creating a powerful parallel that deepens their bond, even in separation.
The novel also raises fascinating questions about consciousness and the nature of time. The concept of a mind that can dream itself into eternity is both beautiful and haunting. As Carol seeks out answers from conventional doctors to spiritual guides, the story becomes a global, cultural, and internal quest all at once.
What stayed with me the most, though, was the authenticity of their love. This isn’t a love story built on cliches. It’s about choosing to believe, choosing to fight, even when logic gives way to the unknown. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves stories with emotional depth, mystery, and a touch of the extraordinary.
Carol’s resilience, her refusal to accept the inexplicable fate of her husband, is the beating heart of the novel. I was especially drawn to her transformation. Her decision to take the investigation into her own hands mirrors the detective work Matthew once thrived on, creating a powerful parallel that deepens their bond, even in separation.
The novel also raises fascinating questions about consciousness and the nature of time. The concept of a mind that can dream itself into eternity is both beautiful and haunting. As Carol seeks out answers from conventional doctors to spiritual guides, the story becomes a global, cultural, and internal quest all at once.
What stayed with me the most, though, was the authenticity of their love. This isn’t a love story built on cliches. It’s about choosing to believe, choosing to fight, even when logic gives way to the unknown. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves stories with emotional depth, mystery, and a touch of the extraordinary.
July 14, 2025
From the first page, Under The Divi Tree swept me into an emotional whirlwind that left me both breathless and uplifted. Michael Solomon has crafted a story that transcends genre, it’s part medical mystery, part love story, and wholly unforgettable.
Matthew and Carol’s bond is deeply inspiring. Their seemingly perfect life is shattered by an inexplicable illness that plunges Matthew into a mysterious, dream-like stasis. The heartbreak Carol experiences is palpable, but what struck me most was her relentless pursuit of answers. I couldn’t help but admire her strength as she became the detective her husband once was, navigating the fine line between science and spirituality, between medical logic and human faith.
What makes this book exceptional is not just the mystery, but the devotion at its core. The author explores how far love can go not just emotionally, but metaphysically. The fact that Matthew’s fate is tied to his inner world and dreams adds a surreal, almost poetic quality to the narrative. I was left questioning the boundaries of consciousness and the depth of human connection.
This book made me reflect on my own relationships. It reminded me that love is more than presence, it’s a force that persists even when logic falters. Truly a must-read for anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.
Matthew and Carol’s bond is deeply inspiring. Their seemingly perfect life is shattered by an inexplicable illness that plunges Matthew into a mysterious, dream-like stasis. The heartbreak Carol experiences is palpable, but what struck me most was her relentless pursuit of answers. I couldn’t help but admire her strength as she became the detective her husband once was, navigating the fine line between science and spirituality, between medical logic and human faith.
What makes this book exceptional is not just the mystery, but the devotion at its core. The author explores how far love can go not just emotionally, but metaphysically. The fact that Matthew’s fate is tied to his inner world and dreams adds a surreal, almost poetic quality to the narrative. I was left questioning the boundaries of consciousness and the depth of human connection.
This book made me reflect on my own relationships. It reminded me that love is more than presence, it’s a force that persists even when logic falters. Truly a must-read for anyone who believes in the enduring power of love.
July 14, 2025
Few books manage to balance emotional resonance with intellectual depth the way Under The Divi Tree does. Michael Solomon delivers a powerful exploration of love interrupted by mystery, but not broken by it.
The central premise is both fascinating and chilling: a man who falls into a sleep so profound that he stops aging, his body frozen in time, while his wife is left clinging to hope. The scientific elements are intriguingly detailed without being overwhelming, which makes the story feel plausible and eerie at the same time. But what really pulled me in was the emotional terrain.
Carol is not a typical passive character. She evolves into a warrior, smart, relentless, and emotionally raw. Her decision to explore unorthodox methods, including consulting a mysterious doctor from Mumbai, opens philosophical doors about the limits of science and the possibilities of the human mind.
What’s brilliant is that the book never gives easy answers. Is Matthew dreaming his way through another realm? Is Carol risking everything on false hope? These questions create a compelling tension that holds until the last page.
In the end, Under The Divi Tree isn’t just about what’s happening to Matthew it’s about what we believe love can survive. The result is a novel that feels both timely and timeless.
The central premise is both fascinating and chilling: a man who falls into a sleep so profound that he stops aging, his body frozen in time, while his wife is left clinging to hope. The scientific elements are intriguingly detailed without being overwhelming, which makes the story feel plausible and eerie at the same time. But what really pulled me in was the emotional terrain.
Carol is not a typical passive character. She evolves into a warrior, smart, relentless, and emotionally raw. Her decision to explore unorthodox methods, including consulting a mysterious doctor from Mumbai, opens philosophical doors about the limits of science and the possibilities of the human mind.
What’s brilliant is that the book never gives easy answers. Is Matthew dreaming his way through another realm? Is Carol risking everything on false hope? These questions create a compelling tension that holds until the last page.
In the end, Under The Divi Tree isn’t just about what’s happening to Matthew it’s about what we believe love can survive. The result is a novel that feels both timely and timeless.
July 15, 2025
Michael Solomon’s Under The Divi Tree is a masterful blend of psychological thriller, supernatural mystery, and emotional romance. From the opening pages, I was pulled into the seemingly perfect life of Matthew and Carol Crane a couple whose deep bond is both enviable and heartwarming. But when Matthew is struck by a mysterious illness that defies modern medical explanation, the book takes a chilling and fascinating turn.
The concept of suspended animation, a body functioning without signs of life, is portrayed in a fresh, engaging way that had me questioning what we truly understand about consciousness and the human mind. What made this book extraordinary wasn’t just the medical intrigue or spiritual questions it was Carol’s relentless devotion. Her transformation from loving wife to determined investigator mirrors a kind of fierce love that defies reason, science, and time.
Solomon handles big themes life, death, love, and the metaphysical with clarity and elegance. The pacing is impeccable, and the chapters fly by with cinematic quality. I can absolutely see this on the big screen. Highly recommended for fans of The Silent Patient or The OA, and anyone intrigued by the fine line between science and spirit.
The concept of suspended animation, a body functioning without signs of life, is portrayed in a fresh, engaging way that had me questioning what we truly understand about consciousness and the human mind. What made this book extraordinary wasn’t just the medical intrigue or spiritual questions it was Carol’s relentless devotion. Her transformation from loving wife to determined investigator mirrors a kind of fierce love that defies reason, science, and time.
Solomon handles big themes life, death, love, and the metaphysical with clarity and elegance. The pacing is impeccable, and the chapters fly by with cinematic quality. I can absolutely see this on the big screen. Highly recommended for fans of The Silent Patient or The OA, and anyone intrigued by the fine line between science and spirit.
July 22, 2025
In Under The Divi Tree, Michael Solomon crafts a rare kind of novel, one that manages to be both thrilling and tender, mysterious and emotionally grounded. The premise is instantly gripping: a devoted husband falls into a strange and seemingly irreversible state of suspended animation, and his wife refuses to accept the finality of his silence.
What follows is not just a journey across continents, but into the very nature of human consciousness. As Carol seeks answers, consulting neurologists, mystics, and a controversial healer from Mumbai, the novel takes on a philosophical edge that elevates it above typical romantic suspense. Solomon never loses focus on the emotional core: a woman desperate to reach the man she loves, and a man whose only hope lies in the power of dreams.
This story is about far more than illness or loss. It’s about hope, memory, and the possibility that love can bridge even the most unthinkable distances. Solomon writes with conviction and a tender touch, making the impossible feel eerily plausible. It’s a haunting, heartfelt narrative that lingers with readers, challenging them to rethink what it means to truly connect.
“Some truths live beyond science. Some awakenings come only when love refuses to let go.”
What follows is not just a journey across continents, but into the very nature of human consciousness. As Carol seeks answers, consulting neurologists, mystics, and a controversial healer from Mumbai, the novel takes on a philosophical edge that elevates it above typical romantic suspense. Solomon never loses focus on the emotional core: a woman desperate to reach the man she loves, and a man whose only hope lies in the power of dreams.
This story is about far more than illness or loss. It’s about hope, memory, and the possibility that love can bridge even the most unthinkable distances. Solomon writes with conviction and a tender touch, making the impossible feel eerily plausible. It’s a haunting, heartfelt narrative that lingers with readers, challenging them to rethink what it means to truly connect.
“Some truths live beyond science. Some awakenings come only when love refuses to let go.”
July 22, 2025
Michael Solomon’s Under The Divi Tree reads like a modern fable, a tale where love, science, and belief intersect in the most extraordinary ways. Matthew and Carol begin as a picture of post-retirement bliss. But when Matthew slips into an unnatural, medically inexplicable sleep, the novel transforms into a riveting emotional and spiritual journey.
Carol’s response is what makes this book so special. She doesn’t just grieve, she acts. She follows the clues her husband might have pursued as a detective, connecting with neurologists, alternative healers, and finally, a doctor from India whose insights may stretch the limits of reason but open new doors of possibility. The story becomes as much about inner landscapes as external ones.
The idea that Matthew’s dreams might be the only gateway back to life is profoundly moving. Solomon makes the concept feel plausible, almost inevitable, because his characters are so richly drawn and their devotion so deeply believable. There’s a universality in Carol’s refusal to let go, the sense that love, in its purest form, transcends biology, time, and space.
“She believed in him even when the world declared him lost, and that belief became the bridge between dream and reality.”
Carol’s response is what makes this book so special. She doesn’t just grieve, she acts. She follows the clues her husband might have pursued as a detective, connecting with neurologists, alternative healers, and finally, a doctor from India whose insights may stretch the limits of reason but open new doors of possibility. The story becomes as much about inner landscapes as external ones.
The idea that Matthew’s dreams might be the only gateway back to life is profoundly moving. Solomon makes the concept feel plausible, almost inevitable, because his characters are so richly drawn and their devotion so deeply believable. There’s a universality in Carol’s refusal to let go, the sense that love, in its purest form, transcends biology, time, and space.
“She believed in him even when the world declared him lost, and that belief became the bridge between dream and reality.”
July 8, 2025
From the very beginning of Under The Divi Tree, I felt like I was being guided into a world that is both familiar and entirely new. Michael Solomon’s storytelling is vivid, heartfelt, and emotionally intelligent. The central premise, a man trapped in a timeless sleep, his body unchanging, his mind dreaming, could easily veer into fantasy, but here it’s grounded in a real, palpable emotional struggle.
Carol is written with incredible empathy and depth. Her love for Matthew doesn’t waver. If anything, it becomes a force of its own, a kind of living energy that drives the plot and challenges science itself. I found myself rooting for her at every turn, even when the path ahead looked uncertain or dangerous.
The metaphor of dreaming, how it connects us, how it might be the last thread between life and death, is handled beautifully. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It invites the reader to believe in possibilities beyond what we can prove.
I finished this novel feeling hopeful, grateful, and emotionally stirred. Under The Divi Tree is a rare gem: a genre-crossing novel that speaks to the soul. I cannot recommend it enough.
Carol is written with incredible empathy and depth. Her love for Matthew doesn’t waver. If anything, it becomes a force of its own, a kind of living energy that drives the plot and challenges science itself. I found myself rooting for her at every turn, even when the path ahead looked uncertain or dangerous.
The metaphor of dreaming, how it connects us, how it might be the last thread between life and death, is handled beautifully. The novel doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s what makes it so powerful. It invites the reader to believe in possibilities beyond what we can prove.
I finished this novel feeling hopeful, grateful, and emotionally stirred. Under The Divi Tree is a rare gem: a genre-crossing novel that speaks to the soul. I cannot recommend it enough.
July 15, 2025
Under The Divi Tree caught me completely off guard in the best way possible. I thought I was settling into a love story or a slow-burn drama, but what unfolded was a gripping supernatural thriller that explores the boundaries of love, time, and the human mind.
The premise suspended animation caused by a seemingly innocent bee sting is so brilliantly original. It feels both medically grounded and mystically symbolic. Solomon paints vivid images of hospital rooms, spiritual temples, and emotional memories, making it feel as though you're watching a movie as you read. Carol Crane's character arc is profound going from worried wife to relentless seeker of truth, she becomes the soul of the story.
I especially appreciated the philosophical undertones: the third eye, consciousness, the pineal gland these elements are woven in naturally and provoke serious thought without becoming overwhelming. The book feels like a bridge between genres: medical thriller, love story, and metaphysical drama.
Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Flatliners, or anyone who believes love might be the most powerful force in the universe.
The premise suspended animation caused by a seemingly innocent bee sting is so brilliantly original. It feels both medically grounded and mystically symbolic. Solomon paints vivid images of hospital rooms, spiritual temples, and emotional memories, making it feel as though you're watching a movie as you read. Carol Crane's character arc is profound going from worried wife to relentless seeker of truth, she becomes the soul of the story.
I especially appreciated the philosophical undertones: the third eye, consciousness, the pineal gland these elements are woven in naturally and provoke serious thought without becoming overwhelming. The book feels like a bridge between genres: medical thriller, love story, and metaphysical drama.
Perfect for fans of Black Mirror, Flatliners, or anyone who believes love might be the most powerful force in the universe.
July 10, 2025
Few novels have touched me the way Under the Divi Tree has. Michael Solomon has crafted a deeply emotional and thought-provoking journey that is equal parts beautiful and haunting. The premise itself is wildly original: a man trapped in a state where time and biology seem to stand still, while his wife becomes the conduit for his possible return. Solomon handles this strange and wondrous concept with grace, intelligence, and compassion. What struck me most was the lyrical beauty of his prose. Even in moments of tension and despair, there is poetry in every sentence. Carol’s devotion and willingness to travel across the world for answers shows a kind of unconditional love we rarely see portrayed with such authenticity. This novel doesn’t just tell a story, it poses philosophical questions about love, consciousness, and the thin veil between reality and the mind. A truly remarkable read.
September 14, 2025
From the very first chapter, Under the Divi Tree pulled me into Matthew and Carol’s world. The author’s writing makes you feel like you’re right there, whether it’s at the airport with Matthew’s nerves and hidden pain, or in the warmth of his marriage, filled with love and tenderness. What stood out to me most is how real the characters feel. Matthew and Carol aren’t perfect, but their love is genuine, layered, and tested in ways that mirror real life. The descriptions of Aruba are breathtaking; I could almost feel the ocean breeze and see the iconic Divi trees bending in the wind. This is not just a romance, it’s a story about resilience, devotion, and how two people can hold onto each other when life throws them its hardest trials. A heartfelt, beautifully told novel that lingers long after the last page
June 2, 2021
Under the Divi Tree: True Love Needs No Reason
by Michael Solomon
Review by Mihir Shah, U.S. Review of Books
"'We have come a long way,' she thought. ‘It is hard to believe how far we have come. It has been a Cinderella story.'"
Love's ability to transcend the most difficult of circumstances and persist is best exemplified by this heartwarming story of Matthew and Carol Crane. While the story opens up with Matthew on a flight to Aruba, his sixteenth trip there, the entire story is narrated as a flashback to another passenger who happens to be a clinical psychologist. The Cranes' love story is decidedly central to the novel's progression. However, when Matthew falls into a seemingly unbreakable slumber, the exploration of the scientific and metaphysical is equally intriguing.
The first sparks of the Cranes' romance were born out of playful banter. From Carol being upset that Matthew had the audacity to bring an outsider to their college dance to begrudgingly dancing with him despite believing he wasn't her type, Matthew and Carol's love story is magnified by the monumental decision Carol makes to prevent Matthew from being drafted for the Vietnam War. Subsequently, a theme that permeates throughout is how easily life and normalcy can be stripped away by something as minuscule as a bee sting following a round of golf with a friend just as you embark upon retirement. Such is the misfortune of Matthew, whose inconceivable stupor despite having perfectly normal scans and preliminary tests stumps medical experts, including family friend Dr. Stuart Leese.
From an execution perspective, the narrative is undoubtedly character-driven and flows seamlessly, propelled by an abundance of shorter, descriptive paragraphs, energetic dialogue, and vivid imagery. More importantly, in the process of deciphering Matthew's condition, the scientific discussion between doctors regarding the pineal gland could have easily taken a turn down dense, technical shrubbery. Instead, the process of understanding the pineal gland and the power of the third eye is not only demystified but depicted with such clarity and precision that it would be clear and intriguing to the layman.
After drawing blanks for some time, Matthew's medical team uses a spinal tap to unearth an inordinately high level of melatonin. The introduction of Dr. Gupte Shah, a prominent Mumbai doctor, adds another dimension of spirituality and philosophy through the understanding of the pineal gland, its role as one's inner vision, and its portrayal among numerous cultures. With Matthew's consciousness experiencing its own version of float therapy, complete darkness and sensory deprivation force him to wonder whether he is even alive despite existing in complete peace. At the same time, as Matthew approaches a state of Nirvana, Dr. Gupte and Dr. Leese are collaborating to fully understand this medical anomaly and win a race against time to help Matthew wake up.
An entire segment is dedicated to unraveling what the third eye or pineal gland could mean and how it interacts with the hypothalamus. With one of its functions predicated upon controlling the body's biorhythms, the pineal gland holds the key to unlocking the mystery of how Matthew's biological clock has come to a screeching halt. He has perfectly stable vitals but no growth of nails or hair over time. Interestingly, the Divi tree from the title is seemingly a representation of one's love compass. It continually withstands the blowing of life's winds, focusing on itself and growing branch after branch to make the Divi tree itself stronger.
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of the novel is the role reversal between the main characters. Though Matthew is the decorated former police detective turned entrepreneur, Carol goes into full-on detective mode to understand the role of the mind, dreams, and the overall subconscious in her unyielding devotion to her husband. Overall, the narrative paints the greatest of "what-if" questions, asking readers to conjure how they would react if time would freeze for an extended period only for them while the world and relationships continue to move forward and evolve. Solomon's narrative is unique in its ability to take an age-old mantra of love being tested and presenting it through the lens of medical phenomena.
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by Michael Solomon
Review by Mihir Shah, U.S. Review of Books
"'We have come a long way,' she thought. ‘It is hard to believe how far we have come. It has been a Cinderella story.'"
Love's ability to transcend the most difficult of circumstances and persist is best exemplified by this heartwarming story of Matthew and Carol Crane. While the story opens up with Matthew on a flight to Aruba, his sixteenth trip there, the entire story is narrated as a flashback to another passenger who happens to be a clinical psychologist. The Cranes' love story is decidedly central to the novel's progression. However, when Matthew falls into a seemingly unbreakable slumber, the exploration of the scientific and metaphysical is equally intriguing.
The first sparks of the Cranes' romance were born out of playful banter. From Carol being upset that Matthew had the audacity to bring an outsider to their college dance to begrudgingly dancing with him despite believing he wasn't her type, Matthew and Carol's love story is magnified by the monumental decision Carol makes to prevent Matthew from being drafted for the Vietnam War. Subsequently, a theme that permeates throughout is how easily life and normalcy can be stripped away by something as minuscule as a bee sting following a round of golf with a friend just as you embark upon retirement. Such is the misfortune of Matthew, whose inconceivable stupor despite having perfectly normal scans and preliminary tests stumps medical experts, including family friend Dr. Stuart Leese.
From an execution perspective, the narrative is undoubtedly character-driven and flows seamlessly, propelled by an abundance of shorter, descriptive paragraphs, energetic dialogue, and vivid imagery. More importantly, in the process of deciphering Matthew's condition, the scientific discussion between doctors regarding the pineal gland could have easily taken a turn down dense, technical shrubbery. Instead, the process of understanding the pineal gland and the power of the third eye is not only demystified but depicted with such clarity and precision that it would be clear and intriguing to the layman.
After drawing blanks for some time, Matthew's medical team uses a spinal tap to unearth an inordinately high level of melatonin. The introduction of Dr. Gupte Shah, a prominent Mumbai doctor, adds another dimension of spirituality and philosophy through the understanding of the pineal gland, its role as one's inner vision, and its portrayal among numerous cultures. With Matthew's consciousness experiencing its own version of float therapy, complete darkness and sensory deprivation force him to wonder whether he is even alive despite existing in complete peace. At the same time, as Matthew approaches a state of Nirvana, Dr. Gupte and Dr. Leese are collaborating to fully understand this medical anomaly and win a race against time to help Matthew wake up.
An entire segment is dedicated to unraveling what the third eye or pineal gland could mean and how it interacts with the hypothalamus. With one of its functions predicated upon controlling the body's biorhythms, the pineal gland holds the key to unlocking the mystery of how Matthew's biological clock has come to a screeching halt. He has perfectly stable vitals but no growth of nails or hair over time. Interestingly, the Divi tree from the title is seemingly a representation of one's love compass. It continually withstands the blowing of life's winds, focusing on itself and growing branch after branch to make the Divi tree itself stronger.
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of the novel is the role reversal between the main characters. Though Matthew is the decorated former police detective turned entrepreneur, Carol goes into full-on detective mode to understand the role of the mind, dreams, and the overall subconscious in her unyielding devotion to her husband. Overall, the narrative paints the greatest of "what-if" questions, asking readers to conjure how they would react if time would freeze for an extended period only for them while the world and relationships continue to move forward and evolve. Solomon's narrative is unique in its ability to take an age-old mantra of love being tested and presenting it through the lens of medical phenomena.
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