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"Nothing endures, not a tree, not love, not even a death by violence." - Gene - page 14
This is a deep and symbolic story of a man, Gene Forrester, leaving his childhood behind. The novel starts with him revisiting his Alma Mater, a New Hampshire prep school, where he seeks out a tree next to a stream.
Then he tells his story, starting when he was sixteen. Gene was a studious, academic teenager. His roommate and best friend, Phineas, was athletic, demanding, free-spirited and fun-loving. The conf ...more
This is a deep and symbolic story of a man, Gene Forrester, leaving his childhood behind. The novel starts with him revisiting his Alma Mater, a New Hampshire prep school, where he seeks out a tree next to a stream.
Then he tells his story, starting when he was sixteen. Gene was a studious, academic teenager. His roommate and best friend, Phineas, was athletic, demanding, free-spirited and fun-loving. The conf ...more

Wasn't keeping track of ratings yet when I read this, but I remember I really enjoyed it.
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I wasn't a fan of Gene. I liked the book but am not sure in would call it a classic. The ending was sad and it reminded me of Lord of the Flies ( just finished it with the 8th graders). I am still confused as to what actually transpired between Gene and Phinney in the tree that fateful day.
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Oct 16, 2012
Meghan
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Grace
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