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Tree Surgery for Beginners
Lawrence Frost has neither father nor siblings, and fits so awkwardly into his worldly mother's life that he might have dropped from the sky. A true misfit, he grows up happier communing with nature than with people. While he is straightforward, honest, and a doting father, he can be a difficult, taciturn husband - but he's the last person one would suspect of being a killer. Then he wakes in the woods one morning to find himself branded a wife-beater and under investigation for murder. Suddenly his small world falls apart as he loses wife, daughter, liberty, livelihood, and, almost, his mind. Bereft of his family - though cleared of wrongdoingLawrence undertakes a journey to the Caribbean, where a passionate encounter with an aging actress throws his life into further disarray. Meanwhile, the exasperated women in his lifemother, ex-wife, and enigmatic mistress - are forced to accept that their lives must feel the gardener's blade if they are to bloom afresh. Seeking sanctuary at an alternative therapy center among the giant redwoods of northern California, Lawrence finally stumbles upon the possibility of happiness, but not before some chance encounters and long-hidden secrets conspire to unearth the deeply buried roots of his misfortune.
- GenresFictionUnfinished
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
34 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Patrick Gale
45Ìýbooks689ÌýfollowersPatrick was born on 31 January 1962 on the Isle of Wight, where his father was prison governor at Camp Hill, as his grandfather had been at nearby Parkhurst. He was the youngest of four; one sister, two brothers, spread over ten years. The family moved to London, where his father ran Wandsworth Prison, then to Winchester. At eight Patrick began boarding as a Winchester College Quirister at the cathedral choir school, Pilgrim's. At thirteen he went on to Winchester College. He finished his formal education with an English degree from New College, Oxford in 1983.
He has never had a grown-up job. For three years he lived at a succession of addresses, from a Notting Hill bedsit to a crumbling French chateau. While working on his first novels he eked out his slender income with odd jobs; as a typist, a singing waiter, a designer's secretary, a ghost-writer for an encyclopedia of the musical and, increasingly, as a book reviewer.
His first two novels, The Aerodynamics of Pork and Ease were published by Abacus on the same day in June 1986. The following year he moved to Camelford near the north coast of Cornwall and began a love affair with the county that has fed his work ever since.
He now lives in the far west, on a farm near Land's End with his husband, Aidan Hicks. There they raise beef cattle and grow barley. Patrick is obsessed with the garden they have created in what must be one of England's windiest sites and deeply resents the time his writing makes him spend away from working in it. As well as gardening, he plays both the modern and baroque cello. His chief extravagance in life is opera tickets.
He has never had a grown-up job. For three years he lived at a succession of addresses, from a Notting Hill bedsit to a crumbling French chateau. While working on his first novels he eked out his slender income with odd jobs; as a typist, a singing waiter, a designer's secretary, a ghost-writer for an encyclopedia of the musical and, increasingly, as a book reviewer.
His first two novels, The Aerodynamics of Pork and Ease were published by Abacus on the same day in June 1986. The following year he moved to Camelford near the north coast of Cornwall and began a love affair with the county that has fed his work ever since.
He now lives in the far west, on a farm near Land's End with his husband, Aidan Hicks. There they raise beef cattle and grow barley. Patrick is obsessed with the garden they have created in what must be one of England's windiest sites and deeply resents the time his writing makes him spend away from working in it. As well as gardening, he plays both the modern and baroque cello. His chief extravagance in life is opera tickets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
February 29, 2024
The big book of astonishing coincidences.
Think The Archers meets the last series of The Colbys (the one where Fallon gets abducted by aliens). Its's a bit mad, it's a bit sad and it's quite funny, and yes, those astonishing sets of coincidences and yes.... Trees, murder, tigers, bridge and a beautiful mysterious singer called LaLa.
Thoroughly entertaining.
Think The Archers meets the last series of The Colbys (the one where Fallon gets abducted by aliens). Its's a bit mad, it's a bit sad and it's quite funny, and yes, those astonishing sets of coincidences and yes.... Trees, murder, tigers, bridge and a beautiful mysterious singer called LaLa.
Thoroughly entertaining.
September 26, 2018
I have read two other Gale novels and they were absolutely brilliant. This... not so. The characters are unlikable and the plot is built on so many contrivances that suspension of disbelief was impossible. It won't make me give up on him, because A Place Called Winter was sublime.
May 7, 2021
I love the ease of Gale's novels, they're always page turners with richly believable characters. I never know what's coming next but they're always peppered with the ridiculous and the sublime. He's definitely my 'go to' for a break, so easy to get swept up.
January 23, 2015
As always, Gale's characters are interesting, but the many coincidences and other unliklihoods in this one make it far from one of his best.
July 6, 2019
Easy to read but just too many unlikely coincidences made this a frustrating outcome from such a usually good and enjoyable writer
November 12, 2020
I love Patrick Gale, but if this had been my first one, I wouldn't have read another.
I got the feeling he lost interest about halfway through the book and just strung together a few unlikely situations and coincidences, fleshed out a few parts of his book plan and then tied it all up at the end. Having said that it's not a bad book, (god knows I've read plenty of those) it's perfectly readable, and thought provoking, but it's not a good book either.
I didn't notice the comedy, maybe that's what made it an odd book. I liked the characters, although Lala was the most difficult to connect with. I thought Lawrence was a bit unaware but then at times displayed wisdom and understanding, character growth or randomness? who knows.
Not one for re-reading.
I got the feeling he lost interest about halfway through the book and just strung together a few unlikely situations and coincidences, fleshed out a few parts of his book plan and then tied it all up at the end. Having said that it's not a bad book, (god knows I've read plenty of those) it's perfectly readable, and thought provoking, but it's not a good book either.
I didn't notice the comedy, maybe that's what made it an odd book. I liked the characters, although Lala was the most difficult to connect with. I thought Lawrence was a bit unaware but then at times displayed wisdom and understanding, character growth or randomness? who knows.
Not one for re-reading.
November 5, 2016
Such a disappointment after the last Patrick Gale I read. The plot meandered along like a soap opera, full of coincidences and incredible dramas. I just didn't have any belief in the characters who didn't seem to know who they were themselves.
However,the part that took place on a cruise liner did serve to reinforce my determination never ever to go on a cruise.
However,the part that took place on a cruise liner did serve to reinforce my determination never ever to go on a cruise.
June 5, 2023
You may read this book and love it, plenty seem to have, but if you didn’t enjoy it, do not be put off. Take Nothing With You and A Place Called Winter are wonderful. I’m a rubbish critic, I don’t want to comment negatively on something I could never do myself, but if this was the only book you ever read by Patrick Gale, you would be missing out.
August 11, 2024
Less good than others of his books that I have read, though excellent in parts. Perhaps the most surprising element was the unlikely coincidences - that Lawrence meets up with both his former partners, his son and unknown sister in the same place the other side of the world from where he grew up! A bit over contrived i thought and I wasn't expecting that of him!
The book starts off with a real bang and we are into a murder plot before we have really met any characters. And it then twists and turns all over the place, which is both intriguing ~(wherever next?) but ultimately a bit unsatisfying I thought. It almost felt like he had run out of steam and so made exaggerated leaps and changes to get to some conclusion.
Gale writes beautifully about small daily contradictions of modern life - especially when he is on the cruise (something that you would have to pay me to go on too!) He has a delightful little experience watching overweight Americans gently on the running machine in the gym area, reading while they 'run' - the book the woman is reading is 'rich winter comfort puddings' or some such! He has a really good eye for how people come across to others, which adds to insecurities and fears and inhibits straight forward behaviour. All his characters suffer badly from this - they are all having to chop off bits of their limbs they thought were their definitive self ... as in the title of the book.
The book starts off with a real bang and we are into a murder plot before we have really met any characters. And it then twists and turns all over the place, which is both intriguing ~(wherever next?) but ultimately a bit unsatisfying I thought. It almost felt like he had run out of steam and so made exaggerated leaps and changes to get to some conclusion.
Gale writes beautifully about small daily contradictions of modern life - especially when he is on the cruise (something that you would have to pay me to go on too!) He has a delightful little experience watching overweight Americans gently on the running machine in the gym area, reading while they 'run' - the book the woman is reading is 'rich winter comfort puddings' or some such! He has a really good eye for how people come across to others, which adds to insecurities and fears and inhibits straight forward behaviour. All his characters suffer badly from this - they are all having to chop off bits of their limbs they thought were their definitive self ... as in the title of the book.
November 18, 2024
When you get on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ you are not really writing a book review. You're expressing your feelings about the story that you invested in lock, stock, gun, and smoking barrel. It has not one thing to do with the way it's written but more how your moved by it or offended by it, upset over it.
When I write a review I usually see if I can relate to any of the book or am enlightened by it or can feel some kind of emotion. No offense to the writer but after three agonizing nights reading in chunks, I found no solace or comfort, humor, or relief in the book.
So, in reviewing this book it was kind of was iffy from the start and so many lies, and deceit from everyone. I really could not get a grip on any real truth or any sense of an ending that would make me feel any better. So, Rip, my friend from Yellowstone and I are taking the book to the train station. It may not be the right thing to do but it's only fair this book pays the price for leading me on a wild goose chase with no happy ending. I didn't especially need a happy ending, but I needed closure. So, I'm making my own ending. Off to the train station I go.
When I write a review I usually see if I can relate to any of the book or am enlightened by it or can feel some kind of emotion. No offense to the writer but after three agonizing nights reading in chunks, I found no solace or comfort, humor, or relief in the book.
So, in reviewing this book it was kind of was iffy from the start and so many lies, and deceit from everyone. I really could not get a grip on any real truth or any sense of an ending that would make me feel any better. So, Rip, my friend from Yellowstone and I are taking the book to the train station. It may not be the right thing to do but it's only fair this book pays the price for leading me on a wild goose chase with no happy ending. I didn't especially need a happy ending, but I needed closure. So, I'm making my own ending. Off to the train station I go.
June 19, 2017
My third Patrick Gale and after a not especially promising start I did really enjoy this. At first I thought I wouldn't be able to overcome my revulsion for the main character, Lawrence, but it was complex enough to keep me going. I think Doris was the character I loved most.
The back of the book suggested it was a comedy but I didn't find it to be amusing and found the themes of loss and grief very decently done, I won't give anything away, although I found some of the cruise story a little sketchily done and therefore not as credible. I guessed some of the reveals towards the end but this was a beautifulwritten novel exploring life and death and loss.
I will keep searching his books out, a stunning writer.
The back of the book suggested it was a comedy but I didn't find it to be amusing and found the themes of loss and grief very decently done, I won't give anything away, although I found some of the cruise story a little sketchily done and therefore not as credible. I guessed some of the reveals towards the end but this was a beautifulwritten novel exploring life and death and loss.
I will keep searching his books out, a stunning writer.
August 8, 2024
Too many coincidences, too many very neat wrapping ups at the end. Not funny either.
I enjoyed it still, and I’d really like to go on a cruise with 500 people that had all the facilities as per this book!
I enjoyed it still, and I’d really like to go on a cruise with 500 people that had all the facilities as per this book!
December 14, 2023
I've read some excellent books by this author, but this isn't one of them. I nearly gave up at about 2/3 of the way through when something truly ridiculous happened, but stuck with it. Overall I'm glad I did as I warmed to it by the end (and it helped to read the afterword where the author explained what he had set out to achieve with the book), but this book lacks the author's usual sensitive handling of characters.
February 15, 2019
It seems only logical that Gale should have written a biography of Armistead Maupin. This book is a spiritual kin of the warm, sweet and filled-with-improbability Tales of the City spun by Maupin. But this is not derivative. Tree Surgery was a great, fun, satisfying, and engaging story in its own right. It’s filled with characters you want to know. And filled with relatable moments.
January 12, 2024
A lovely story centred around Lawrence, a tree surgeon. After a fateful night when he seriously messes up, he goes on a journey involving an arrest, a cruise and a hotel complex in California. Lots of coincidences and encounters along the way (maybe too many coincidences!) but in true Gale style, a page-turning readable story.
June 23, 2024
An enjoyable read but it is fairly obvious the characters were allowed to choose their own path through this novel and they all appear a little out of control. It feels tongue in cheek and a bit of a humerous romp with just enough pathos and good description to ground it and stop it being completely farcical - if that's deliberately done then perhaps it might be a touch of genius.....
August 26, 2019
This was different. It essentially tells one person's story (the tree surgeon) but from different points of view. Some of the coincidences are a bit contrived - but then it is fiction.
I would read another Patrick Gale book on the strength of this one.
I would read another Patrick Gale book on the strength of this one.
December 8, 2021
I found this a strange mixture, including a very unbelievable incident with a tiger, a good dose of romance, fascinating semi-metaphorical details about bridge and cruises, humorous observations of people's foibles and some sentiment.
January 13, 2022
A slow growing story about relationships both ending and beginning - terribly sad but ending with hope I was thoroughly involved and invested in the characters and yes there were east links and connections but was this because we’re drawn to where we belong?
February 27, 2023
Enjoyed several books by Patrick Gale, but not this one. The plot is unbelievable, the characters all unpleasant and the writing confusing, so that some passages had to be reread to check what was happening. Really struggled to get to the end.
August 28, 2018
There were too many coincidences really but I found them satisfying. The story jumped forward at times but you were filled in at a later date; I enjoyed that process.
September 13, 2018
Ridiculous!
December 5, 2018
Wonderful book
May 4, 2019
I enjoyed this book but did wonder for a long time where it was going. However, I loved the ending and the message about the possibility of rehabilitation of relationships.
June 22, 2019
Read this a long time before I started on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.
September 3, 2019
Implausible saccharine ending spoiled a good book for me.
February 27, 2023
I normally enjoy Patrick Gale novels but I found the story lines in this one absolutely ridiculous.
July 19, 2023
Impeccable writing as always but story line was at times a bit far fetched/moviesque/overly traumatic/neatly tidied up.
June 9, 2022
A crazy adult fairy tail, enjoyable nonetheless.
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July 20, 2023Tough one to rate as I did enjoy the story...but it was so full of ridiculous coincidences and far flung events. The language was also a little over the top. I feel like the author overused similes like he'd just discovered them or like he had to hit an unspecified word count. I also disliked almost all the characters. At the same time, though, I kept going with it so...it couldn't have been that bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
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