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The Land of Trees Paperback – September 28, 2019

by L. A. Naylor (Author)

4.6 21 ratings

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Adoptee Lia has followed her Spanish teacher, Rafael, to Guatemala, for romance and adventure. She doesn't know much about the country, but she's happy because she's finally living life on her own terms. On their first night together, Lia decides to declare her feelings, but before she gets the chance, the unimaginable happens and Rafael is brutally killed. Devastated, Lia travels to Rafael's family home in the countryside, where she becomes determined to find out why. But not everyone is keen on her investigation. The locals are hostile and the landowner has family problems. Lia has to decide what is more important: living without answers or taking the deadly consequences that come with the truth. Set against a backdrop of civil unrest and huge political change, Naylor shows the powerful impact the past can have, decades down the line.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roots Books (September 28, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0954743717
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0954743710
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.2 ounces
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.08 x 1.06 x 7.8 inches

Customer Reviews:
4.6 21 ratings

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KRM

A worthwhile journey that informs and entertains…

Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2020

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Since I reside in Belize and have visited Guatemala, I was definitely intrigued by the synopsis of this book. I was not disappointed. I felt that it was a true reflection of aspects of life that one might experience if you don’t restrict yourself to the touristy scene. The same goes for Belize – if you look for trouble you can find it. If you are looking to connect with hard-working decent people, you can find that too. Both countries have their poverty and a unique history as well as their conflicts within and with each other but the Guatemala/Belize border conflict is a story for another time. The Land of the Trees focuses on a caste system that often presents itself in underdeveloped countries where the rich land owners and corporations and corrupt officials have dominance over the native residents.

However, this book tells a bigger story than just that – it is about relationships, mystery and adventure, coping with disappointment and rediscovering hope for the future. It is very well written with an array of colorful and interesting characters. The story has depth and causes you to think about life. It draws you in and moves you along at a steady pace. There are moments of angst and moments of joy amidst learning about the life and history of the Guatemalan People while friends who are foreigners venture outside their comfort zones in unexplored territory.

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Lynne Miller

Transported to Guatemala

Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2021

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The prose is so descriptive that you feel as if you are immersed in the experience. The book had everything: murder; suspense; intrigue; good pace; interesting characters; and important messages about environmental issues and the subjugation of indigenous populations, an aspect of Guatemala I was not aware of. Consequently I emerged from the book having had a satisfying read as well as being more informed about a country in South America.

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Cathy A. Thibeault

Prejudices , cooperation, acceptance, land

Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2019

I received a free copy of this book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

The Land of Trees is a study in humanity and its foibles as well as its greatness. Sometimes greatness is not huge, it is simple but pure in its intent. This is a tale of that kind of greatness. When faced with brutality, a small group of people come together and create love, trust, and kindness in an inhospitable land. L.A. Naylor’s book is well-written, graphically told and filled with a love of the land, and interesting characters.

We follow Lia and Richard, from London and Macy, a mixed race, bipolar woman from Amersham. Lia headed to Guatamala after taking a class taught by a Guatamalan teacher named Rafael. They became friends and when Rafael told Lia to come to his country, she took the opportunity to do just that. She was joined by Richard, a man of money who is enamored of Lia and believes he can sway her feelings toward him. Once in Guatamala they are joined my Macy who is thrilled to meet fellow Brits.

The tale unfolds into terror as they meet up with Rafael who is stabbed to death in front of them even before they have a chance to speak to each other. Determined to find out what happened to Rafael, Lia and her friends go to a ranch that Rafael told her might give her a job, if she decided to travel. Lia headed there right away, got a good job, and became friends with the ranch’s owner, Miguel. Lia thought she could find peace here and she learned to love the ranch. Soon Richard and Macy joined her, and life changed for all of them. Come find out how. You will not be disappointed.

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Shirley McAllister

What happened to Rafael?

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2020

Lia follows her Spanish Teacher to Guatemala seeking romance. Her wealthy neighbor Richard travels with her to escape his domineering father. Along the way, they meet up with Maya who speaks Spanish and helps them with the language. Just as they find the bar where they are to meet Rafael he is murdered in front of them but not before he gives Lia an address to his home and the Pueblo where he works and she can possibly get a job.

Lia Travels to the Pueblo and Richard and Maya follow. They all begin to work there reforesting a section of land for Miguel the landowner. Lia is determined to find out what happened to Rafael. This is where the story really begins.

There is adventure, and danger in this book but also a great understanding of the Indigenous people of Guatemala amid the disputes among them and the large companies and landowners that are stealing their property. The descriptions of the land is wonderful. I loved that part , however, the characters were not quite right with the parts played.

I enjoyed reading it for the historical and lovely description of the land of Guatemala, for those features I would recommend it. If you are reading for a novel...not so much.

Thanks to L.A. Naylor, and Book Sirens for allowing me to read a copy for an honest review.

One person found this helpful

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Leonard H. Le Blanc

IMPRESSIVE AND RIVETING

Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2021

I had a troubled childhood. To escape, I buried my face in books. The page-turners I liked most effortlessly whisked me away to places I’d never been to and plunked me into situations I had never been in. These books grabbed me and took me right along for the free ride to a whole other, fascinating, undiscovered world. The narratives riveted my attention and held it to the end. I loved the journey. My woes, if temporarily, melted.
L. A. Naylor’s ‘The Land of Trees’ most definitely qualifies as one of those thrilling rides of grand imagination and inventive creativity. You can actually feel yourself as part of the conversation, or at least as a willing bystander. The prose is razor sharp, shamelessly witty and remarkably perceptive. At its heart, it is a gritty detective story. A grand tale of determination, perseverance and resiliency. The plot pacing never flags. It is easy to see the author knows their subject, so the book rings with perfect authenticity. Enjoy!

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Top reviews from other countries

vimal lalljee

Exhilarating and engaging read!

Reviewed in Canada on May 11, 2020

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Truly riveting! It instantly pulled me in. A perfect blend of mystery, passion, complex human emotions, and sad facts on power sovereignty. L.A Naylor did a brilliant job marrying these diverse elements in and elegant and captivating way. I naturally travelled to the dazzling natural land of trees in Guatemala... It definitely opened up my eyes to tough realities and made me appreciate life and what the nature offers us freely even more! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to feel heard, appreciates nature and is an avid mystery seeker. Can’t wait to read the author’s next book.

Mr C.

Beautiful, descriptive narrative.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2020

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This is a beautifully written novel. Whilst a work of fiction it still teaches a great deal about the country and it’s history. It is current and sensitive. Easy to read but totally avoids being easy reading. Loved it!

Wendy Wu

Enlightening story.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2020

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Beautifully written and so very interesting. I liked the mixture of fiction with facts. I would enjoy reading more books written by this author.

A. N.

Enjoyable read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 8, 2019

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Enjoyed the book.

Peter A. Brooke Turner

A Very Good Read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 23, 2019

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Having read Ms Naylor's excellent 'Judge for Youself' a while ago - about miscarriages of justice in the UK legal system, I was curious to see what her fiction was like. The answer is pretty good - I read the whole book at a sitting, on a long haul flight. Without giving away any spoilers, I can recommend it for its it excellent characterisation, good dialogue and a strong storyline which made it very difficult to put down. More please!

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