The Devil Tree
by Jerzy Kosinski
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Book Summary Information
Author: Jerzy KosinskiEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-12
ISBN: 0802139655
Number of pages: 224
Publisher: Grove Press
Book Reviews of The Devil Tree
Book Review: Compelling readable mosaic novel
Summary: 4 Stars
Like Kosinski's second novel, "Steps", this is more of a mosaic of short, linked vignettes. In this book, however, there is a central character, who is more of a symbol of current American culture as Kosinski saw it.
I read the original edition of "The Devil Tree" when it was first published in 1973, and after his first three books I was somewhat disappointed. I reread it in the early 1980s when Kosinski published a "revised and expanded" version, and I found it much more satisfying.
Jonathan Whalen, the main character, is the scion of a fabulously wealthy family. As the story begins, he has just come into his inheritance. From there, the story weaves back and forth between his past and his present, describing his alienation, his failed relationships, his inability to fit in. In the 1970s this was the archetype of American youth, particularly those who came from upper-class families, and Kosinski's observations may seem dated today. On another level, however, it's about anyone who doesn't fit in, like the anti-hero of Albert Camus' "The Stranger."
This will not appeal to readers looking for appealing, sympathetic characters, or a straightforward narrative. Kosinski's world view is pretty bleak, although it's not as intensely apocalyptic as his next two books, "Cockpit", and "Blind Date," which are truly horrific. But Kosinski's spare, lean prose and his perceptive observations on many details of American life more than compensate for the self-absorption and anomie of his characters. It's certainly far more interesting than his limp "Pinball" and the unreadable "Hermit of 69th St."
(It's worth noting that Kosinski committed suicide in 1991. The revelation that his novels had been written with the aid of uncredited editors --- Kosinski's native language was Polish, and he never completely mastered written English --- may have been a contributing factor, as was the discovery that the story of "The Painted Bird", long presented by Kosinski as autobiographical fact, was in reality pure fiction. Then again, his unrelentingly dismal world view may have been his ultimate undoing.)
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