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The Wishing Trees

by John Shors

Published: 2010-09-07
Paperback : 368 pages

21 members reading this now
7 clubs reading this now
2 members have read this book

Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 4 members

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Introduction

Almost a year after the death of his wife, former high-tech executive Ian finds a letter that will change his life. It contains Kate's final wish-a plea for him to take their ten-year-old daughter, Mattie, on a trip across Asia, through the countries they had always planned to visit. Eager to honor the woman they loved, Ian and Mattie embark on an epic journey, leaving notes to Kate in "wishing trees" along the way, and encountering miracles large and small. And as they begin to find their way back to each other, they discover that healing is possible and love endures-lessons that Kate hoped to show them all along...

Editorial Review

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Excerpt

Two as One
“When one door closes, another one opens.” —American saying
Ian watched Mattie sleep, her body curved as if still pressed against his, her arms resting on a pillow that he had carefully positioned alongside her torso. The pillow acted as his body double on many nights, comforting her in his absence, offering her warmth and the remnants of his scent. The king-sized bed made his ten-year-old daughter seem so small. She looked too fragile and lonely, as if she might come unbound without him beside her. ...

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Discussion Questions

1. Had you heard of “wish trees” before? If not, did you enjoy being introduced to them? Is there anything similar in your country?
2. If you were Ian, would you take Mattie on the trip? Where do you draw the line between offering your child new experiences and providing for her/his safety?
3. Would you like to travel like Ian and Mattie do? Which country did you enjoy the most, and what about it appeals to you?
4. What did you think of Kate’s character, and her letters? Did you find Ian’s and Mattie’s reactions to her death believable and moving? Are they similar to your own experiences of loss?
5. Did everything ring true within the relationship of Ian and Mattie?
6. Who was your favorite character and why?
7. What do you think of Rupee, and how did he contribute to the story?
8. What do you think will happen to the young sex worker, Jaidee, when she returns home? Was Ian right to try and help her?
9. What was the most memorable moment of the book for you?
10. Ian and Mattie feel compelled to help the needy people they meet during their travels. Do you think people in wealthy countries have a moral obligation to assist the poor and suffering elsewhere in the world? To what extent? What sacrifices are you willing and not willing to make?
11. At the end of the novel, Ian and Mattie choose to settle in Hong Kong. How do you feel about their decision?
12. John Shors is supporting street children in Vietnam through his previous novel, Dragon House, and in conjunction with The Wishing Trees he is working with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees. Do you think it’s important for writers to take on such causes?
13. What do you think are the key messages of The Wishing Trees?
14. Which of John Shors’s novels have you enjoyed most?

Weblinks

»	Author John Schors' web site

Notes From the Author to the Bookclub

Note from the Author:

My passion for travel has profoundly influenced my career as a bestselling novelist. My debut novel, Beneath a Marble Sky, is work of historical fiction and retells the remarkable story behind the creation of the Taj Mahal. Beside a Burning Sea, my next novel, is set on a tropical island in the South Pacific. My first contemporary novel, Dragon House, occurs in modern-day Saigon. And my new novel, The Wishing Trees, takes place in eight locales around the world (America, Japan, Nepal, Thailand, India, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Egypt).

The Wishing Trees is a novel that will appeal to people who love to read about foreign places, as I bring the sights of Asia to life within its pages. Readers will accompany my characters as they ride the Bullet Trains of Japan, climb the Nepalese Himalayas, swim with sharks in Thailand, help a homeless child in India, and so on.

Book Club Recommendations

Recommended to book clubs by 3 of 4 members.

Ask the author to call your group.

by JaniceWeeks (see profile) 10/05/10

You can contact him through his web site, which is www.johnshors.com

Member Reviews

Overall rating:

"If you like to read novels set abroad, this is the novel for you"by Janet F. (see profile) 11/03/10

I loved this novel, as did the other members of my book club. It's set in seven or eight countries and tells the story of a father and daughter's journey. It's beautifully written and is quite moving.

"Wishing Trees"by Brenda B. (see profile) 10/30/10

It was so predictable that it was annoying. It was well-written and I would try that author again; however, it was so unrealistic. On the other hand, maybe it was a good thing to read something that... (read more)

"The Wishing Tree"by Jaci W. (see profile) 10/13/10

I LOVED this book though a few of our members couldn't get through the book due to the sadness of the characters.

"A beautiful story"by Janice W. (see profile) 10/05/10

My book club had read Mr. Shors' first novel, Beneath a Marble Sky, which we enjoyed. We actually spoke with him on a speakphone, and had a wonderful chat.

We decided to read The Wishing

... (read more)

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