A coming-of-age story of a boy as he witnesses life and the unfairness of it all.

Tree follows a man brought back to his childhood days as he visited again his hometown. The
narrator tells of his story growing-up in a small town, the people in his life- the ones he met, the
ones he lost, their stories and the story of how money and power played a big role in their lives.
Friendship, family relationship, discrimination, justice. These are the major themes surrounding
F. Sionil Jose's second book in the Rosales saga. Truly a compelling and an eye-opening read.
Chapter 1 instantly drew me in. Here's the first paragraph of Chapter 1:

"THIS IS a journey to the past---a hazardous trek through byways dim and forgotten--forgotten
because that is how I choose to regard many things about this past. In moments of great lucidity,
I see again people who--though they may no longer be around--are ever present still; I can almost
hear their voices and reach out to touch them--my friends, cousins, uncles and aunts and, most of
all, Father."

When I started reading, I had no idea what the book is about, so I was really intrigued by the
melancholic tone. I wanted to know what happened. And that, the narrator gave.
I was introduced to what his life's like. Being son of rich man, he is well cared for. The contrast of
his life to those around him is glaring and saddening. At a young age, the narrator did not know
or had little idea of the oppression, of the difficulties. Although time brought him the lessons.
Social oppression is not an unusual subject. I've read quite a few stories about it but Tree gave a
refreshing point of view, through another lens- that of a child from a different social class.
Being set in the Philippines during the last days of American occupation, and into the invasion of
the Japanese, it's heartbreaking to read that the problems of the past still hold true in the
present. That the fight of my countrymen was and is still true even to this day. Those with money
hold the power. Those without cling to whatever life throws at them.
Aside from the oppression and discrimination, family and friendship are also portrayed in the
book. In general, Filipino culture is family-centered. I think Tree was able to show that bond
between family, no matter how distant a relative can be, regardless if they are related by blood
or not.
And throughout the narrator's childhood days until the day he visited again is the balete tree that
stood strong, oblivious to its surroundings. A metaphor about life. Here's the last paragraph from
the book:
"Who then lives? Who then triumphs when all others have succumbed? The balete tree--it is there
for always, tall and leafy and majestic. In the beginning, it sprang from the earth as vines coiled
around a sapling. The vines strangled the young tree they had embraced. They multiplied,
fattened and grew, become the sturdy trunk, the branches spread out to catch the sun. And
beneath this tree, nothing grows!"
Young love, politics, rebellion, religion- these are the other plot elements in the book. And though
minor, they were weaved together creating a beautiful and poignant story.
Moving and thought-provoking, Tree is definitely a good read. I can't wait to read the third book
in the Rosales saga, My Brother, My Executioner!
NOTE: Here's my review of the first book, Po-on.