What did you think of The People in the Trees?

[Dianah (onourpath)]

I just finished this one and am sort of stunned. I don't know what to make of the ending at all. It reminds me vaguely of the book Next, which I only read because of the tournament years ago. The thing that struck me about both books is that they have such explosive endings. I can't quite figure out what I think of this one. Anyone else have strong feelings about the ending of this one?

[Ellen]

Very, very strong feelings. I closed it up, and thought, "what a book. What a book!" But it can never win the Tournament because too many people will just be appalled, not just by the very ending, but by so many things in the book -- the cavalier treatment of animals, not to mention humans and habitats (which, nevertheless, I believe is all too real) and, of course, the end. The author is incredibly brave to have dealt with so many taboo subjects so directly and aggressively, and the writing is better than anything else I've read in the tournament so far this year (I do have The Luminaries and The Goldfinch yet to go).

[Patty]

I cannot imagine living with this novel as long as the author did. She says that it took her about 18 years to write the book. I don't think I could have lived with Perina for that long.

The writing is amazing, so maybe it was worth it.

[Jan]

Ellen, I think the author is appalled by all those things too, and wants us to be appalled. By giving us an unreliable narrator, she lets us see how oblivious Norton is to his moral failures and those of his fellow scientists and westerners. Norton's blindless to or casual dismissal of what he has done to the children and the whole society is one of the most appalling of his sins. And to see not only how self-justifying he is but also how completely he has pulled in Ronald at the end is just chilling. I think she has done a wonderful job of showing the dehumanizing aspects of science (especially in the 1950s era), colonialism and sexual predators all in one story.

Patty, did you see the Publisher's Weekly interview with Yanagihara? She said in her earlier drafts the protagonist was even more of a monster...she was able to humanize him over the years as she matured as a writer and developed a fuller understanding of him as a character. Here's the link: http://www.publishersweekly.com:8080/...

[Judy]

I read 250 pages of the book yesterday. Talk about total immersion. Already I have been through so many changes concerning Norton, though it obvious from the beginning that he is messed up. I mean when an author puts a mother like his in the first chapter, it is like putting a gun in the first scene. Thanks for the link Jan because I know after I finish the book, I will want to hear what the author has to say. And how about parallels with State of Wonder by Ann Patchett or even The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell?

[Deborah]

Oh, my goodness! Did anyone else expect that there might be some connection between the accusations against Norton and the a'ina'ina ritual? I kept thinking that there was going to be some kind of "clash of cultures" explanation for the charges against him; even though I didn't like Norton, I didn't see the epilogue coming.

[Anna]

Thanks Jan for the link! It really helps put some things into context...

I finished The People in the Trees last night and was semi-floored. (view spoiler)[ I say only semi as the character development was so well done, I could completely see Norton doing those things and not thinking that there was anything at all inappropriate about what he did. It seems to all tie back to him being a very unreliable narrator as well as an easily despise-able character. Yanagihara does an excellent job of portraying the true nature of a rapist -- it is not about the sex so much as the power over the victim that Norton "enjoys". One of the most disturbing things about Norton is the fact that he was surprised (!) by Vi's accusations of sexual abuse. He doesn't even consider for a moment that he's done something improper or unjustifiable. This type of person terrifies me! I know they exist but...

Other themes that were well done in this book? I really enjoyed the author's portrayal of colonialism and the struggle that some scientists have to put ethics before the studies that may or may not answer their burning questions. (hide spoiler)]

[Jan]

Anna wrote: "I finished The People in the Trees last night and was semi-floored. I say only semi as the character deve..."

Yes, absolutely! And re the colonialism/science themes, the book I kept thinking of as I read People was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks -- the scientists' chilling lack of empathy toward their subjects.

[Patty]

Judy wrote: "I read 250 pages of the book yesterday. Talk about total immersion. Already I have been through so many changes concerning Norton, though it obvious from the beginning that he is messed up. I mean ..."

I had not thought of the Sparrow, but you are right, there are similarities.