Tana French's novel "The Witch Elm" is a gripping and haunting psychological thriller that explores the complexities of memory, identity, and the dark corners of human nature. Set in modern-day Ireland, the story follows Toby Hennessy, a charismatic and privileged man whose life is upended after a violent burglary at his home leaves him with a traumatic brain injury. As Toby struggles to recover from his physical and emotional wounds, he returns to his family's ancestral home, Ivy House, to care for his dying uncle Hugo. Upon his arrival, Toby stumbles upon a gruesome discovery: a human skull buried in the trunk of a witch elm tree in the garden. This discovery sets off a chain of events that unravels Toby's perception of his own life and leads him down a twisted path of mystery and self-discovery. With its labyrinthine plot and shifting perspectives, "The Witch Elm" delves deep into the complexities of memory and how our recollections can shape our identities.
As well as the fear and the “roiling fury”, he’s left with “a depth and breadth of loss that I had never imagined”. French writes excellently about damage, both physical and mental, and the accommodations that need to be made when life takes a wrong turning. Toby is not the only one with changed horizons; his uncle Hugo has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and Toby goes to stay with him in the family pile known as the Ivy House, where as a teenager he spent summers with his cousins Leon and Susanna. Hugo deteriorates while Toby struggles to recover; the house becomes a haven for them both, even if “my own ghost was everywhere … agile and golden and invulnerable”.
Toby is not the only one with changed horizons; his uncle Hugo has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and Toby goes to stay with him in the family pile known as the Ivy House, where as a teenager he spent summers with his cousins Leon and Susanna. Indeed, the novel does double duty as a survival manual, packed full of good advice for instance, try not to get wounded, for injury turns you from a giver to a taker.
With its labyrinthine plot and shifting perspectives, "The Witch Elm" delves deep into the complexities of memory and how our recollections can shape our identities. Toby's traumatic brain injury causes him to question the reliability of his own memory, and he becomes obsessed with unraveling the truth behind the skull found in the elm tree. As Toby digs deeper into his family's history and the secrets of Ivy House, he begins to confront uncomfortable truths about his own privilege and the disturbing actions of those closest to him.
THE WITCH ELM
French has earned a reputation for atmospheric and existentially troubling police procedurals. Here, the protagonist is a crime victim rather than a detective. Toby Hennessy is a lucky man. He has a job he enjoys at an art gallery. He has a lovely girlfriend named Melissa. And he has a large, supportive family, including his kind Uncle Hugo and two cousins who are more like siblings. As the story begins, Toby’s just gotten himself into a bit of a mess at work, but he’s certain that he’ll be able to smooth things over, because life is easy for him—until two men break into his apartment and brutally beat him. The damage Toby suffers, both physical and mental, undermines his sense of self. His movements are no longer relaxed and confident. His facility with words is gone. And his memory is full of appalling blanks. When he learns that his uncle is dying, Toby decides that he can still be useful by caring for him, so he moves into the Hennessy family’s ancestral home, and Melissa goes with him. The three of them form a happy family unit, but their idyll comes to an abrupt end when Toby’s cousin’s children find a human skull in the trunk of an elm tree at the bottom of the garden. As the police try to solve the mystery posed by this gruesome discovery, Toby begins to question everything he thought he knew about himself and his family. The narrative is fueled by some of the same themes French has explored in the past. It’s reminiscent of The Likeness (2008) in the way it challenges the idea of identity as a fixed and certain construct. And the unreliability of memory was a central issue in her first novel, In the Woods (2007). The pace is slow, but the story is compelling, and French is deft in unraveling this book’s puzzles. Readers will see some revelations coming long before Toby, but there are some shocking twists, too.
Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2462-9
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
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Through her masterful storytelling and richly drawn characters, Tana French explores the darker sides of human nature, including moral ambiguity, guilt, and the lengths people will go to protect their own secrets. The novel examines the consequences of unchecked privilege and societal expectations, often leaving the reader questioning their own perceptions of right and wrong. As a psychological thriller, "The Witch Elm" keeps readers on the edge of their seats, constantly twisting and turning as Toby's investigation unfolds. French expertly blends elements of suspense and mystery with introspective explorations of the human psyche, creating a deeply unsettling and thought-provoking reading experience. Overall, Tana French's "The Witch Elm" is a captivating and atmospheric novel that delves into the murky depths of memory and the complexities of human nature. With her sharp prose and intricate storytelling, French keeps readers guessing until the very end, leaving them with lingering questions about the nature of truth and the fragility of our own identities..
Reviews for "Unraveling the Threads of Tana French's "The Witch Elm"
1. Emily - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Tana French's The Witch Elm." I had heard so much hype about this book and was excited to read it, but I found it to be incredibly slow-paced and lacking in suspense. The main character, Toby, was also very unlikable and I couldn't connect with him at all. The plot felt convoluted and at times, I struggled to understand what was even happening. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and not worth the time.
2. Sam - 1 star
I regret picking up "The Witch Elm" by Tana French. The story dragged on for so long without any real payoff. The mystery was lackluster and the twist at the end felt forced. I also found the writing style to be tedious and overly descriptive, which made it difficult for me to fully engage with the story. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping thriller or mystery.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"The Witch Elm" by Tana French was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was incredibly slow and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The plot was convoluted and didn't seem to have a clear direction. The characters were also difficult to connect with and lacked depth. I was expecting a gripping and suspenseful mystery, but it never delivered. This book was just not for me.