The Language of Trees by Steve Wiegenstein

by MK French

Daybreak is a community founded in the late 19th century as a commune. All of its members share in the profits of the land and all hold an equal vote to decide what to do with the profits, including the women. That doesn't mean there weren't secrets and relationships and apparent inequalities among the members of the community. They become more apparent when a lumber company from New York decides to secure land in the area and wants to buy their community property to cut down the pine forests. In addition to this, a new minister with his own unique take on the Bible has settled in the area. There are too many changes for the people of Daybreak, prompting many decisions to make.

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September 2017; Blank Slate Press; 9781943075386
ebook, print (214 pages); historical fiction

The story of a big company trying to take over the little guy is a common one.

I like Josephine the best out of the commune characters, even though she was prickly toward others and was seen as stubborn and sometimes unfriendly. The leader was harder for me to get to know, and his secret relationship and thoughts about Josephine didn't make me want to. His brother wasn't much better, so the lumber company's attempts to buy out Daybreak seemed to magnify the difficulties that were already present in the town.

I was surprised by how much I grew to like some of the other characters in the book and cared about their efforts to preserve their way of life. The ending is dramatic and really helps to drive home for everyone involved what is most important to them: the connections they have and want to make.

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Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and golden retriever.

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