The Witness Tree

A Novel by Terry L. Persun.

213 pp; Pa; Implosion Press,
4975 Comanche Trail, Stow, OH 44224
$13.95

By Tim W. Brown

The Witness Tree uses a narrative device that probably shouldn’t work but does.

The novel chronicles the lives of Lewis Marshall and his twin brother Jeffrey. Lewis is the

sensitive artist type and Jeffrey is the logical worldly type. The narrator becomes attuned to

Lewis’ sensitivity and quickly elevates him to the focal point of the book.

Lewis experiences a meteoric rise from talented teen to famous artist. Between painting

pictures, he marries, fathers a child, divorces, and spends time in mental institutions. Jeffrey

watches helplessly as the quirkiness Lewis exhibits early in life evolves into full-blown madness.

The only character with insight into Lewis’ predicament is the narrator, who recognizes that his

intuitive powers and close connection to nature make him unable to cope with mundane human

existence.

Did I mention the narrator is a tree? Growing near Lewis’ lifelong home, the tree is able to

tap into his consciousness through “common thought,” a sort of higher intelligence that permeates

nature. The tree attempts to guide Lewis back to mental health.

In less capable hands, this story line would come off as hopelessly silly. But Persun

manages to suspend disbelief as he weaves an imaginative tale exploring the complex relationship

between art and madness.