The Family Tree

The Family Tree follows Dora Henry, a police officer in a near-future version of Denver grappling with strange occurrences. Trees begin growing at impossible speeds, engulfing buildings and infrastructure, while society faces mounting environmental crises. As Dora investigates a series of murders connected to a mysterious group called the League of Feminine Warriors, she uncovers links between the murders, the supernatural tree growth, and her own family history. The story moves between multiple timelines, including medieval Europe and a far-future Earth. The search for answers leads Dora through layers of myth, science, and forgotten history as she pieces together the truth about humanity's relationship with the natural world. The novel explores themes of ecological responsibility and gender dynamics, presenting an unconventional take on humanity's role in Earth's destiny. Through its blend of police procedural, science fiction, and myth, the book challenges assumptions about progress and civilization.

Readers note that The Family Tree blends science fiction, fantasy and ecological themes in an unconventional way. The book maintains suspense through parallel storylines that eventually converge. Readers praise: - Complex world-building and mythology - Strong female protagonist Police Officer Dora Henry - Environmental message without being preachy - Unpredictable plot twists Common criticisms: - Confusing narrative structure with multiple timelines - Some readers found the ending abrupt - Male characters portrayed as mostly negative - Pacing issues in middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ reviews) One reader called it "a thought-provoking blend of detective story and ecological fable." Another noted it was "challenging to follow but worth the effort." Several reviews mentioned struggling with the first 100 pages before becoming engaged with the story. Critical reviews focused on "heavy-handed messaging" and "unnecessarily complicated plotting."

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🌳 The Family Tree blends multiple genres including science fiction, fantasy, and horror while exploring environmental themes - a hallmark of Tepper's writing style. 🌱 Author Sheri S. Tepper started her writing career at age 54, after careers in employment agencies and Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood. 🌿 The novel's central metaphor of a supernatural tree connects to various mythological "world trees" like Yggdrasil in Norse mythology and the Tree of Life in many cultures. 🍃 The book won the 1998 John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel, though Tepper often rejected being categorized solely as a science fiction writer. 🌲 Many of the ecological themes in The Family Tree were influenced by Tepper's experience growing up on a cattle ranch in Colorado, where she developed a deep connection to the natural world.