The Willow Tree by Hubert Selby Jr. is a novel that delves into the dark underground life, portraying a bleak and downward spiral existence filled with drugs, violence, and racial hatred. The story follows Bobby, a youth who is brutally attacked by a street gang, and his girlfriend Maria who ends up in the hospital with severe injuries. Bobby, consumed by hate and a thirst for revenge, is taken in by an old man named Moishe, a Holocaust survivor who understands the destructive nature of hatred. As Bobby grapples with his desire for vengeance, Moishe tries to guide him towards forgiveness and healing, drawing parallels between their experiences of pain and suffering. The narrative unfolds with poetic and touching sequences, highlighting the unlikely friendship between Bobby and Moishe and exploring themes of redemption, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of trauma.

Selby's unique writing style in The Willow Tree is characterized by its unconventional format, with paragraphs ending abruptly and conversations written as they are spoken, without traditional punctuation or formatting. Despite initial challenges in readability, Selby's stylistic choices ultimately enhance the storytelling, creating a raw and immersive reading experience that adds depth to the characters and themes explored in the novel.

Characters:

The characters are complex and deeply flawed, reflecting both the pain of their pasts and the potential for growth.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is unique and experimental, highlighting the raw emotion of the story despite potential readability challenges.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Bobby's journey from violence and trauma towards understanding and healing, guided by the wisdom of Moishe.

Setting:

The urban setting serves to reinforce the themes of violence and despair in the characters' lives.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, providing moments of intense action contrasted with slower, introspective sequences.

Notes:

The plot centers around Bobby, a young boy who is violently attacked alongside his girlfriend, Maria.

Bobby is rescued by an old man named Moishe, who has a traumatic past as a Holocaust survivor.

Moishe tries to guide Bobby away from a path of revenge and hatred.

The book explores deep themes of love, violence, and forgiveness.

Selby's writing style is unique and can appear unconventional, with odd paragraph spacing and a focus on dialogue.

Critics note that the portrayal of characters and use of street lingo may feel outdated or problematic.

The book starkly contrasts nihilism with glimpses of hope, symbolized by the title 'The Willow Tree'.

Readers describe the story as deep, thought-provoking, and emotionally powerful.

Selby infuses his writing with personal experiences, having faced struggles with addiction and illness.

'The Willow Tree' has received mixed reviews, with some praising its depth and others criticizing its execution.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include violence, racial discrimination, references to drug abuse, trauma, and discussions of the Holocaust.

Has Romance?

There is a medium level of romance in the book, primarily centered around Bobby and Maria's relationship.

From The Publisher:

Set in the Bronx, this novel tells the story of Bobby, a young black man, and his Hispanic friend, Maria. Their lives together are irrevocably shattered when a vicious Hispanic street gang attack leaves Bobby savagely beaten and Maria lying in a hospital bed with a badly burned face.

What can you read after
The Willow Tree?

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The Willow Tree

Hubert Selby Jr.