The Beach Trees
The Beach Trees book cover

The Beach Trees

Paperback – Bargain Price, May 3, 2011

Price
$15.05
Format
Paperback
Pages
432
Publisher
NAL Trade
Publication Date
Dimensions
5.63 x 0.93 x 8.3 inches
Weight
12.8 ounces

Description

Review “[White] describes the land and location of the story in marvelous detail...[This is what] makes White one of the best new writers on the scene today.”—The Huffington Post “ The Beach Trees has beach in the title and has an ocean setting, but it’s more than just a ‘beach read.’ It’s a worthy novel to read any time of year—any time you wonder if it’s possible to start anew, regardless of the past.”— Durham Herald-Sun “Tightly plotted...a tangled history as steamy and full of mysteries as the Big Easy itself.”— Atlanta Journal Constitution “Sense of place is high on the list of things that White does exceedingly well...But place is more than mere setting in this novel; it is also a character, as tenacious and resilient as the people who call this region home...I give this book my highest recommendation.”—The Romance Dish “White has once again written a novel that is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming, and is filled with all the gentle nuances of the graceful, but steadfast, South...Readers will find White’s prose an uplifting experience as she is a truly gifted storyteller.”— Las Vegas Review-Journal “White’s ability to write a book that keeps you hankering for more is her strong suit. The Beach Trees is a great book about the power of family and connection that you won’t soon forget.”— South Charlotte Weekly “White...weaves together themes of Southern culture, the powerful bond of family, and the courage to rebuild in the face of destruction to create an incredibly moving story her dedicated fans are sure to embrace.”— The Moultrie News About the Author Karen White is the bestselling author of numerous novels including After the Rain, Sea Change, Falling Home, On Folly Beach , and The Color of Light, as well as the Tradd Street novels including The Strangers on Montagu Street and The Girl on Legare Street .

Features & Highlights

  • From the bestselling author of
  • After the Rain
  • ,
  • Sea Change,
  • and The Color of Light...
  • From the time she was twelve, Julie Holt knew what a random tragedy can do to a family. At that tender age, her little sister disappeared-never to be found. It was a loss that slowly eroded the family bonds she once relied on. As an adult with a prestigious job in the arts, Julie meets a struggling artist who reminds her so much of her sister, she can't help feeling protective. It is a friendship that begins a long and painful process of healing for Julie, leading her to a house on the Gulf Coast, ravaged by hurricane Katrina, and to stories of family that take her deep into the past.

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(824)
★★★★
25%
(343)
★★★
15%
(206)
★★
7%
(96)
-7%
(-96)

Most Helpful Reviews

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It should have been called The Katrina Trees

The Beach Trees of the title are probably the Katrina Trees that the protagonist encounters when she visits Biloxi following the death of a dear friend. The trees represent the determination of those who live in hurricane devastated areas to rebuild their dreams in the places they love - and refuse to leave.

I have to admit I got a bit impatient with the alternating threads of this novel - the past and the present. I could not understand why anyone would deliberately take so long to give someone the answers they wanted to important questions. The problem is more one of the novel's structure rather than the story it tells.

But, there is plenty of atmosphere and empathy for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the lives lost, and the lives broken by loss of one kind or another and the heroic efforts to rebuild, as symbolised by the beach trees of the title. It is the setting and the peripheral events that surround the story that make it an interesting read.
6 people found this helpful
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Less than 1 star mess

I totally agree with the other 1 star reviewers. This story was a convoluted mess. I continued through the end because someone lent me the book and told me it was good. Plot is a huge mess...going back and forth aimlessly. The author charges ahead with one idea...comes up with another, it seems at random, then charges on in that direction. At the end, it seems like she is making it up as she goes page by page. Yuck, sorry I wasted my time.
3 people found this helpful
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From 1950s to the present, southern families & their secrets

Interesting book, nice writing. Set in New Orleans & Biloxi flashing back from present day to the 50s. I had a hard time keeping track of the generations since they kept referring to grandparents & great grandparents even when they were in the 1950s. Wrapped up a little quickly, but over all a recommendation.
3 people found this helpful
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It was ok.

I enjoyed it. It was a fast read. A little boring in parts, but it didn't ruin the book. I would recomend it if you are looking for an enjoyable quick read.
3 people found this helpful
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The Beach Trees

Julie Holt finds herself in Biloxi, Mississippi, looking at an empty lot while holding the hand of little Beau. Monica, her close friend, died prematurely, leaving to Julie her son, Beau, and River Song, a home leveled by the overwhelming forces of Katrina. Julie, who had spent her life searching for Chelsea, her kidnapped sister, finds herself looking for answers about the mysteries surrounding Monica and her family.

Beautifully written in the present tense, the plot is interwoven with a series of flashbacks told by Monica's grandmother, Aimee. As Julie rebuilds River Song, raises Beau, and sets down roots in New Orleans, she strives to answer the many questions she has about Monica and her old and prestigious family.

What an enjoyable mystery! The characters are tenderly developed, and the settings are lovingly described. I especially loved the descriptions of the Katrina trees, carvings made from the ruins of trees killed by Katrina. This story tells a tale of courage and renewal and the strength of the human spirit. It also explained to me why people insist on rebuilding in a hurricane-plagued location. I loved this book!
2 people found this helpful
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Typical

The story line was very well written and attention grabbing. Like you can't put it down. But then the author goes to soft, like everything just works out. Bringing the grandchild to a house and tell the relatives oh - by the way I own part of the house and I am raising your grandchild. And they - the family - accepts this? The author never did state how much that painting cost but I guess it was enough to build the house. And how did the family know, the main character would actually build a house to their liking? The many other story lines were good and interesting.
2 people found this helpful
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A book that asks many questions....and reveals some surprises

A book of soul searching, mystery, intrigue, rebuilding one's life and discovering love along the way. Great read for the beach. Relaxing to curl up on the sofa at the end of the night with Beach Trees when all is quiet in the house.
1 people found this helpful
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Good Read

It was a good read - a little difficult to keep all the family characters straight. The mystery kept me turning the pages. The reviews in our book club were mixed.
1 people found this helpful
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Not a fan of this author

This is probably the only book I will read by Karen White. The story could have been covered in 300 pages or less. I usually enjoy the last 100 pages of a novel, and can't put the book down; but not this one. The characters and storyline were a bit boring. I'm glad to be done reading this book.

Here is some of what I did like: I attended Mardi Gras years before Katrina hit. I found the "Katrina Trees" and the "Biloxi/New Orleans lifestyle" portions of the book were very interesting. The rebuilding of the areas, touched my heart.

If I hadn't purchased the book at Meijers for $10.50, I probably wouldn't have finished reading it. But, then I would have missed the parts I liked.
1 people found this helpful
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Jump In!- - - Magical!

My first Karen White book and I was not disappointed. I loved the imagery she puts into the book with her sights, sounds and smells. I feel like I jumped in and was there myself - - - and didn't want to come back! Makes me long to visit "The Big Easy" yet again and to soak up some of the magic it has to offer.
1 people found this helpful