Author: Mary E. DeMuth
Nine-year-old Mara is child without parents or a past, dependent upon the mercy of disinterested relatives and victim of a sexual predator known as General – the teenage son of the local pastor. Her childhood viciously stolen, Mara believes her aunt’s sudden death is at the hands of General, who has threatened to kill her and her family if she does not submit to his abuse.
Taken in by the tight-lipped and mysterious Mr Winningham, Mara’s solitary and lonely life is punctuated by two things: the fervent desire to unravel the mystery of her missing parents, and an all-encompassing fear that her new location will be discovered by General. With her quirky friend Camilla she sets out to investigate both the residents of the little Texan town in which they live, and the truth about her family history – a history that seems determined to remain a secret.
I almost didn’t make it through the first few chapters of this evocative story. Child sexual abuse is a difficult and painful subject to read about – in truth my heart felt overwhelmed at times with horror and sadness at the plight of young Mara. But such a reaction is testament to the author’s ability to capture in a realistic way Mara’s struggles to rise above her situation in her quest for healing and hope, redemption and truth.
Beautifully drawn three-dimensional characters, expertly woven Christian themes and one little girl’s quest to find her place in a world of unspeakable tragedy will give the reader cause for reflection – indeed, questions for group discussion and recommended resources on this difficult topic are included at the end. But the compelling storyline stands alone – I found myself identifying with the heroine, empathising with her and wanting to protect her. Little Mara would never believe you if you told her that her story had changed your life, but she is guaranteed to live on in your heart long after the book has ended.
Reviewed by Rachel Koopmans
chbookshelf July 1, 2006
Nine-year-old Mara Weatherall moves with her aunt to a new town when her grandmother dies in Louisiana. Her aunt doesn’t seem real impressed with the town, but her boyfriend, Gus, lives there, and it’s easy enough to let Mara roam.
On her first trip into town, Mara meets the preacher’s son, Robert E. Lee, otherwise known as General. General pulls Mara off into the woods and rapes her, a nightmare that continues several times as Mara is afraid to tell. General threatens to kill her and her aunt if she breathes so much as a word of what he’s doing.
One day, after Mara did laundry so goes off to find some flowers for her aunt. When she returns home she discovers her aunt is dead. Mara is afraid that General killed her and that she would be next. But her aunt’s boyfriend, Gus, sends Mara off to live in an run-down mansion, on the wrong side of town. There, text books are years out of date, the play ground equipment is a broken heap of trash, and Mara is the only white child in a world of black.
WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS is the first book I’ve read by talented author Mary E. DeMuth, but I’m certain it won’t be the last. WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS is expertly written, with the faith message woven in without flaw. Mara is a sweet little child, I wished I could grab her out of the story and put her someplace safe.
WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS deals with the difficult subject matters of rape and racism and Ms. DeMuth handles them with ease. As well-written as this story is though, I had a difficult time reading it. I had to put it down several times as the book is just too hard to read in one sitting. It required time away from the book so I could distance myself from it somewhat. Otherwise, WATCHING THE TREE LIMBS would require a full box of tissues. A discussion guide is included at the end. $12.99. 416 pages.
Reviewed by Laura V. Hilton