A Review of “The People In the Tree” by Hanya Yanagihara

I was horrified and yet deeply moved by the dark, frightening tale she woven in her second book, A Little Life which i read first a few years ago. With The People in the Trees, Yanagihara’s powerful debut book, I’m convinced she has staying power and may be the only author I know who can make you genuinely like reading about such troubled characters.

The Nobel Prize-winning scientist and alleged paedophile Norton Perina is currently writing his memoir from behind bars (don’t worry, this is all covered in the first dozen or so pages of the book). A buddy and fellow scientist edits and annotates his manuscript. And throughout the narrative, he makes comments that seem tremendously well-researched and authentic, which really brings the book to life. A vanished tribe that can live three to six times longer than the normal person by eating the flesh of an indigenous turtle is discovered by Perina on a Micronesian island where he is travelling. The story is interspersed with tales of his amazing discovery and the adoption of other islanders’ children. You never get bored since it is written so skillfully, with tension and release at the perfect times. I devoured this book, even though it had approximately 500 pages.

While the initial chapters might have left me uncertain, the narrative progresses into a truly unique and compelling story. As the plot unfolds, it unveils layers of depth and intensity that captivated my attention, ultimately revealing the true essence of the novel. Not suitable for every reader, this book is bound to leave a lasting impact, lingering in the thoughts and emotions of those who dare to embrace its unconventional nature.

P.S. This book left me with reservations and a reevaluation of my desires or fears regarding adoption.