The best arguments in the world won’t change a person’s mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.
Man, I really wanted to like this book, especially since my sister flew this book all the way from Sydney to the labyrinth-like central post office of Kuala Lumpur. A narrative structured like a tree complete with roots, trunk, crown and seeds. It is an ambitious effort, not only in its endeavour as art, but also in its message. The quote above summarises it pretty well.
There is a purpose for the Overstory — to make us more environmentally conscious, and judging from the other readers of the book, it has swayed people to start to think more about trees and its importance to our sustenance, and our foolishness not to care more about what we are losing daily above our heads. To some the book hit the nil in the head in its purpose. However, I like the message of the book more than the delivery.
The delivery is convoluted, a mess of things, with 9 separate storylines intertwining at different parts of the book. The first third of the book (Roots) is a collage of stories of nine individuals of different backgrounds. Some of these stories I loved more than others, and the imagery of some is truly stunning. Imagine a timelapse over seventy years of a chestnut tree from where it was first planted — the only remaining chestnut tree in the south.
Call it a matter of preference but for me, the language detracts away from the flow of the book. I have a hard time figuring out the tone at times — it is poetic, meditative, but cumbersome. It is not a light read and it is a mixed bag. Some of the prose is really stunning, and complements the imageries of the nature it describes.
However, the biggest flaw are the characters who I find very difficult to be attached to. Their histories are described in detail, some from generations back. The cast of characters are colourful, interesting and in their own ways, each of them have overcome some sort of hardship. Yet, they fall flat, and I cannot empathise with their struggles.
Perhaps, after all, it is just me. I’m somewhat prone to resist anybody’s opinions when it comes to things, and this includes environmentalists. But I was rooting for this book (no pun intended), as the subject matter is deadly important. But it is difficult to find a simple plot here despite the common theme, and this doesn’t allow the reader to focus and build empathy to most of the characters. I’l be honest that this book made me Google if trees really talk to each other.
I agree with Powers’ statement though. To convince people to change we need good stories — powerful stories. Sadly, I just don’t think it’s this book.
