Book Review: "Val/Orson" By Marly Youmans

Meera Srikant

30 April 2009, 06:56

Valentine prefers to be known as Val, for Valour. He thinks his real name too soft.

He has valour, and determination. Watching out against those intent on bringing down the trees among which he has grown and which are part of his true home, he leads a double life.

While he goes about his business, there is an underlying need to look for his twin brother lost at birth. His mother secretly mourns the loss. His stepfather, Fergus, who had stumbled on Bella, the mother, at the time of the birth, marries her and is deeply in love with her. He is a father that Val looks up to.

Amidst all this, there come Diamond, a tree-sitter, and Val is drawn to her, only to lose her suddenly, without any trace.

Just as he comes to terms with this, he meets his childhood friend and relative through Fergus, who enchants him. How the two stumble on the twin and what happens next constitutes the second half of the book.

It is a lyrical tale, lush with greenery, brooks and the pleasant sounds of the birds. It is mystical, and set far away from the bustle of the city, it follows its own pace to unwind the story. Being short, it gets to the end quickly, too quickly. Though it stirs deep feelings of mystery, a bit more of depth would enhance the flavour.

The book, while expressing deep respect for nature, also is an ode to human relationships – mother-son, mother-stepfather, stepfather-son…all relate to each other at a level that endears them to the reader, evoking respect for their sensitivity towards, and understanding of, each other.

Though the people themselves are not described in detail, you feel you know and understand them. The author has explored this aspect very well.

The story is loosely based on a French tale – Valentine and Orson – which talks of a similar story of separation at birth. Here, though, the theme of separation has been innovatively used to deal with a larger issue.

The book is light and relaxing. While Part I is a slow build up, Part II moves quickly, taking the reader with it into the deeper woods leading up to the dénouement.

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