Una’s ‘Crooked Tree’ is praised by Irish Times

IT SLIGO lecturer Una Mannion’s debut novel has received positive feedback in the Irish Times. ‘A Crooked Tree’ tells the coming-of-age story of 12-year-old narraror Libby as she traverses the 1980s, dealing with clashing Irish and American cultures.

Libby falls somewhere between innocent child and angsty teenager in a tale which, according to arts journalist Sarah Gilmartin, contains themes of “absentee parents, amateur sleuthing, misconstrued neighbours and the real dangers that lurk in the background.”

She went on to say that comparisons can be drawn to Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and in a similar fashion, suggests that ‘A Crooked Tree’ could also find its way into the school curriculum in the future.

As with most comingof-age stories, parents are a source of conflict and according to Sarah Gilmartin they provide “flawed but relateable characters” for the reader. Her father is described as a hard worker who simply can’t seem to save money while her mother’s role is complex, with the reader seeing her struggle in life which Libby does not.

The review says the book at times “falters” from the climax of certain scenes being overcooked, but she insists these criticism are minor and are far outweighed by the consistent sense of “curiosity and wonder”.

Sarah Gilmartin concludes that Una Mannion’s novel is an “evocative and convincing” coming-of-age story and will leave the reader “wanting more”.

‘A Crooked Tree’ is available from Liber for €14.99 and can also be purchased online from sites including amazon.com and bookdepository.com.