Although short in length, this book has a profound depth to it which Thoreau could have used to edit "Walden". Fowles encapsulates his appreciation of nature thus, "..an experience whose deepest value lies in the fact that it cannot be directly described by any art...including that of words." For a writer of Fowles' talent, this is a indeed a humble statement.

Humankind's need to tame the wildness of nature is illustrated in the manner that the author's father takes such pride and joy in his meticulously manicured prize-winning apple and pear trees. Fowles rejects this and gravitates toward the chaos of the wood, delighting in the discovery of the mysterious atmosphere with a religious element.

This 30th anniversary edition of The Tree is a treasure!