Far From the Tree

by Virginia DeBerry, Fran L. Washington (Narrator)

Celeste English and Ronnie Frazier are sisters, but they couldn't be more different. Celeste is a doctor's wife, living a perfect and elegant fa�ade. But secretly, her marriage is falling apart and her need to control people around her threatens to destroy them all. Ronnie is an actress, living in New York. But she has no money, she has no home, and her life is held together by "chewing gum, paper clips, and spit." When their father dies, the sisters inherit a house in Prosper, North Carolina. Their mother, Della, would rather they forget about going there and dredging up the past. Neither of them suspect that their trip to Prosper will uncover decades-old secrets, family betrayals, and tangled relationships - or that it will make these two strangers realize that they are, and always will be, sisters.

Genres: Fiction, African American, Romance, Book Club, Family, African American Literature

Audiobook

First published September 1, 2000

About the author

We are best friends who’ve been co-writing women’s fiction since 1990. For more information about who we are, what we do and...what we did, please visit deberryandgrant.com. We can also be found online at: Facebook.com/deberryandgrant
Instagram @deberryandgrant

Reviews

[Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in the used section of a book store. The title and the promo paragraph on the back intrigued me. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this book was a gem. It was well-written, well-conceived and well-executed. The characters are believable, the dialogue was on point, the mystery was carefully weaved throughout the book. The ending was satisfying, but also leaves you wanting more. I loved how the women interacted and worked through their problems.

[Efundunke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read! I really enjoyed how effortlessly the language flowed from prose to poetry. Makes me with my mom were still alive. I was barely coming into my adult years when she passed from cancer. There are so many questions I would have asked her and frequently wondered if I would have if she were still alive, if we would ever fully have the open relationship that she had with my older sister. I was the younger one with the flip mouth after all. Now I'm seeing the world through a whole new lens.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It was the story of the relationships between mothers, daughters and sisters. I loved the characters and their development and the storyline!

[Devin Gray · Rating 2 out of 5]

I forced myself to pick this book up as part of my job for a book club.
The first 100ish pages are nothing but exposition and character development and moved at a painfully slow, snail pace with seemingly no direction. About 150ish pages in there is FINALLY some intrigue with the whole forbidden family property aspect but it was not enough to keep me going after I realized I was reading the WRONG book for the book club!
Once I realized that, I immediately returned the book unfinished and did not look back.
I read online that the narrator for the audio book was really entertaining so I would recommend to anyone interested in this title trying that avenue instead of the written version.
Ultimately, I don't think I was the demographic intended for this style of writing and I am ok with that.

[Lorrea - WhatChaReadin'? · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoy the way, Virginia DeBerry and Donna Grant capture the true essence of African American female relationships in their books. Far from the Tree was no exception.

Ronnie and Celeste are sisters that have never really gotten along. Odella, their mother is also not the easiest to get along with. When the three are brought together in the same house after many years of being apart, their relationships start to take on a whole new meaning. Following the death of Will, the husband and father who had always been around to love and support them, the women are forced to examine their lives and make some hard decisions in order to move forward and grow.

Celeste, married to Everett, who is a doctor, has never been satisfied with their simple lifestyle. She has always wanted more for them even though she has never had to want for anything.

Ronnie, who has been a struggling actress in New York and fools herself and her family into thinking that she has it all together and is doing great. She actually has had more addresses than acting roles.

Odella, who had run from her past for so long that when it comes rushing back at her, she is overwhelmed by it all.

Together these women learn to love themselves and one another again.

There are talks that this book may be made into a major motion picture. I would be the first in line for a ticket. I would love to see who they get to portray the characters.

[Caleb Kahn-feiring · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tour-de-force read about a mother and her two daughters that belongs in the cannon of commonly taught books across the country. Far From The Tree achieves what so many modern novels miss: compelling storytelling with brisk dialogue, humor and characters you care about. The book devotes substantial time in the beginning to building the three main characters (and revealing the severe cracks in their individual lives and relationships with each other), tightens the screws to the point of near breakage, and then flings them on a journey that requires them to confront their past in order to learn to love again. Not everything gets solved (this book is too good for a happily ever after ending) but the finish is absolutely satisfying. Along the way there is a family saying which serves as a reprise and takes on multiple meanings as the stories develop ("If you don’t shake up your life, all the good stuff settles to the bottom"), devastating descriptions like when one daughter with nothing but the clothes on her back checks into a motel ("she tucked both anorexic pillows under her head") or a mother finds out a loved one has gone to the hospital ("Right then it was like Della's world cleaved and she split in two; one Della dazed, in agonized disbelief, only able to watch as the other became hyperaware, decisive, methodically doing what needed to be done"), and a beautiful ending that beats the riding off into the sunset of any cowboy western (Semi-Spoiler: "'It's all coming back to me.' Della leaned forward in the backseat, a hand resting on each daughters shoulder and gazed through the windshield."). Highly recommend to anyone who does not mind alternating between laughing and crying when reading.

Okay, enough of that soliloquy. Time to move onto reading Tryin' to Sleep in the Bed You Made.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

◇ Synopsis
Celeste English and Ronnie Frazier are sisters with contrasting lives. Celeste appears to lead a perfect life as a doctor's wife, but her marriage is crumbling, and her controlling nature isolates her family. Ronnie, an actress in New York, projects a glamorous image despite financial struggles and instability. When their father dies, they inherit a house in Prosper, North Carolina, which their mother, Della, wants to avoid due to buried secrets. As they confront their past in Prosper, they must unravel their identities, relationships, and truths. "Far From The Tree" delves into uncovering hidden pasts, understanding familial dynamics, and embracing sisterhood amidst challenges.
◇ Thoughts
This book is full of emotions! The authors are great at writing funny and believable conversations, although the start might seem slow. Some characters might seem like typical stereotypes: Celeste cares too much about status, Ronnie hides her failures, and Della keeps her past hidden to stay the perfect mom. Each character has one main flaw, usually about keeping secrets, which can get repetitive. The pace stays pretty steady after the slow start. It's not a hard read, but it's fun to dive into mother-daughter relationships and see how hiding things can hurt love. The ending was a little abrupt and wrapped up neatly and is this book is great for females looking for an emotional read.

[ajournalforbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes it’s not enough to just lock away the past, but to make amends with it, make amends with yourself and let go in a way that heals.

That was the story for Della, Celeste and Ronnie, a mother and her two daughters who for years have struggled to be honest, open and loving.

But after their father’s/husband’s death and Will leaving the house on Pond Road down in Prosper to his daughters, it opens a can of worms that no woman can’t help but face. In their journey to Prosper, no woman left the way they came.

This story not only impressed but captivated me, though long, the twists and turns made it worthwhile. From the strained mother daughter relationship, to the unfolded secrets, I found myself unable to put down this book.

One thing DeBerry and Grant can do exceptionally well is tell a story and develop their characters. There was growth in every single character, that if you didn’t like them at first, by the end you were enamored.

I wanted to cradle Ronnie, but still knock some sense into her. Celeste, whew, she needed to come off her high horse and Odella, I just wanted her to stop being the grinch and love her daughters.

But the thing ‘Far From the Tree’ really drove home for me, is that sometimes life forces us to change. Sometimes unexpected but that change can impact on everyone you come into contact with, either for better or for worse.

[Dominique · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. DeBerry and Grant are natural storytellers. The main characters were well rounded and the dialogue flowed to the point that I felt like I knew them personally halfway through the book. With that being said, the book was desperately missing more action which didn’t happen until very late in the book followed by a quick resolution. It dragged at parts, hence the reason it took me about 2 months to finish it. With that being said, the authors’ note states that DeBerry and Grant wanted to take readers on an adventure/journey which is great provided something actually happens. Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and I would read other books written by them.

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The past is never the past; it's part of our present & the future. Secrets kept prohibit you from enjoying life as well as interaction with others. Especially family members.

Celeste & Veronica are sisters but you can't tell by the way they act towards one another. Even through life changes, they still can't seem to get it together or even realize that they are sisters. An inheritance brings them together but also lends the brokenness of their family.

It started out slow & I feared it was going to be a lot of racial issues but I was wrong. It's about family, emotions, secrets, the past, the present, & re-evaluating ourselves.

[Jazzmine Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book on a whim at my local library, and it was a spectacular find. The authors have such a rich and enthralling writing style, I could picture every scene of every page. The characters were well developed, and I was so glad to see their growth as the book progressed. I really enjoyed the plot - it was captivating and made it hard to put the book down. I’m so glad I picked this one up.

[Cameron Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book explores the dynamic between mothers and daughters in such a familiar way. unlike “trying to sleep in the bed you made” this a very slow and drawn out story that sometimes left me wondering if i would be able to make it the end of this book. the story really comes alive in the final quarter and i just wish the same energy was distributed throughout

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by these authors. I really enjoyed it and will be reading the first book, Tryin' to Sleep In the Bed You Made. Vividly portrays of four generations of an African-American family's females. Easy to identify with.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of two black women who struggled through life changing events. The beginning felt like it wandered around before deciding where to go with this story but as it unfolded I was more drawn in. If you stick with it I think you'll like the stories of these two women

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mother and two daughters unexpectedly get together and face heartbreak, truth and their pasts. This is a book about love and healing. I picked it up on a whim and have enjoyed my experience. There are parts I would have ommitted but all in all it was a good read.

[Beverley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this listen. It ran the gambit of emotions. Not real crazy about the narrator, but the story line was totally believable. I found myself, friends and family members here. You might too. I recommend this book.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one! More on Bookwinked at: https://wp.me/p10jBT-1bR

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two sisters inherit a property in rural Carolina and uncover family secrets.

[Kris W · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Ending was kinda like the Walton's, but I still liked it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book about family relationships! How we grow and change and how our own history impacts us and our relationships.

[Gerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story about family relationships.

[LynnB · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nadia Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent read

[Leah]

Book was pretty good. I think I don't like when an author(s) give so much back story and then leaves so little time for the wrap up of the book. It always seems rushed.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good family drama, although I didn't like any of the main characters until I got to know them.

[ariesdollface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review forthcoming. 4/1/24

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My aunt sent me this book. It was really good. Highly recommend it.

[Shakeema · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not for me, read for book club

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written, a compelling and thoughtful story of kin.

[Sonya Macon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about how unchecked family trauma causes so many unnecessary problems.