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A review by ambershelf
Two Trees Make a Forest: Travels Among Taiwan's Mountains & Coasts in Search of My Family's Past by Jessica J. Lee
3.0
TWO TREES is a beautifully written memoir that explores the environmental history of Taiwan through the lens of Lee's family history. As an environmental historian who lost touch with her family in China, Lee uses this personal loss to examine Taiwan's complex and tumultuous history.
Throughout the book, Lee weaves together the history of Taiwan's colonization, from the Dutch to the present day, with the political restlessness and martial law rule that has marked the island's history. She also touches on the book bans and censorship prevalent during the authoritarian era and the modern history of Taiwan, including the devastating 228 massacre and the 921 earthquake.
One of the standout features of TWO TREES is Lee's gorgeous writing about the scenery of Taiwan and her references to Taiwanese literature and modern authors. The descriptions of the natural world are evocative and transport the reader to the island, and the inclusion of cultural and literary elements adds depth and context to the story.
However, I wanted to know more about Lee's family and their experiences during this turbulent time in Taiwan's history. While the reflections on her family are moving, I wish their stories were the focal point, particularly how the political and social movements have affected her family.
TWO TREES is a book lustrously written that offers a unique perspective on Taiwan's environmental and cultural history. Its exploration of the island's complex past is educational and emotionally resonant, and the beautiful descriptions of the natural world make it a pleasure to read.
Throughout the book, Lee weaves together the history of Taiwan's colonization, from the Dutch to the present day, with the political restlessness and martial law rule that has marked the island's history. She also touches on the book bans and censorship prevalent during the authoritarian era and the modern history of Taiwan, including the devastating 228 massacre and the 921 earthquake.
One of the standout features of TWO TREES is Lee's gorgeous writing about the scenery of Taiwan and her references to Taiwanese literature and modern authors. The descriptions of the natural world are evocative and transport the reader to the island, and the inclusion of cultural and literary elements adds depth and context to the story.
However, I wanted to know more about Lee's family and their experiences during this turbulent time in Taiwan's history. While the reflections on her family are moving, I wish their stories were the focal point, particularly how the political and social movements have affected her family.
TWO TREES is a book lustrously written that offers a unique perspective on Taiwan's environmental and cultural history. Its exploration of the island's complex past is educational and emotionally resonant, and the beautiful descriptions of the natural world make it a pleasure to read.