Review: Robert James Russell's SEA OF TREES

In this debut novella (coming out May 21), Robert James Russell weaves together two distinct narratives into one tightly constructed work of fiction. This is a story of searching and finding what is lost. It’s also a story of being lost. And not just the characters — here, the reader is forced to participate in the struggle in a unique way, colored with the beauty of Asian culture throughout. As in, words and phrases, scenery. As in, the beauty of it all. Sometimes this forced struggle (being a part of this searching while piecing together the two narratives) can get a little dicey or confusing, but as an experience while reading, it’s interesting enough to work.

Here the length serves to tease the reader instead of making an easy exit, and the intertwining stories/narratives/voices add to this teasing and result in a different type of tenstion/propulsion. It’s not quite like anything I’ve read before; It’s quick, unique, and definitely worth checking out.

*

Rob is also an editor of Midwestern Gothic, and was interviewed right here.

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