- Paperback: 240 pages
- Publisher: Melville House Uk (12 Mar. 2020)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1911545418
- ISBN-13: 978-1911545415
Synopsis
A Key to Treehouse Living is the adventure of William Tyce, a boy without parents, who grows up near a river in the rural Midwest. In a glossary-style list, he imparts his particular wisdom on subjects ranging from ASPHALT PATHS, BETTA FISH, and MULLET to MORTAL BETRAYAL, NIHILISM, and REVELATION. His improbable quest – to create a reference volume specific to his existence – takes him on a journey down the river by raft (see MYSTICAL VISION, see NAVIGATING BIG RIVERS BY NIGHT). He seeks to discover how his mother died (see ABSENCE) and find reasons for his father’s disappearance (see UNCERTAINTY, see VANITY). But as he goes about defining his changing world, all kinds of extraordinary and wonderful things happen to him. Unlocking an earnest, clear-eyed way of thinking that might change your own, A Key to Treehouse Living is a story about keeping your own record straight and living life by a different code.
Review
A Key to Treehouse Living is an original, touching, quirky and brilliant literary journey. William Tyce hasn’t had an easy life, his mother died, and his father left him with his eccentric uncle who leaves him to his own devices. To try and sort out his life, feelings and understand himself he writes an alphabetical list where he is able to record his thoughts and record events that have happened to him. These seemingly random thoughts and facts, give an insight into William’s life and makes for a unique reading experience that will make you laugh, smile and feel empathy for his situation.
William Tyce is the star of this book, and as a narrator he reminds of Christopher Boone from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. William doesn’t have Asperger’s, but his voice and reminisces have a similarity. Being in alphabetical order it seems a bit disparate at times, but as you read on there are recurring themes and you become drawn into William’s world. He has philosophical moments, on babies, memories and the American Health system. There are many practical pieces of advice on how to climb a tree and my favourite of always checking an upturned boat for snakes before you get in. In this book you can go from the Eskimo language of Athabaskan to bad dogs in one paragraph, it really is a surreal read, but you cant help but become engrossed in his story.
Elliot Reed writes this book with such insight into the life of a young boy growing up in difficult circumstances. As well as the humour as everyday practicalities there is a serious side to this book. A young boy whose mother died, who was abandoned by his father to live with an eccentric uncle who is a gambler and leaves him to his own devices. His treehouse is a place to escape, a place to feel safe for a while, with his friend Ned, a place to forget his troubles for a while. Elliot Reed doesn’t shy away from the subjects of drink, prison, the limited opportunities available to orphans and the reality of the care system. I found this to be a raw and honest book, but it also has some funny moments in that make it such an emotional rollercoaster of a read.
A Key to Treehouse Living is a fascinating coming of age story. William is such a wonderful character and makes for a captivating narrator. There is plenty of wisdom and practical advice in his list, and he has some wonderful journeys that we go on with him. I thought this a stunning, heartwarming and emotional read and one I highly recommend.
I would like to thank Nikki at MHP Books for my copy of this book in return for my honest review as part of the blog tour.
