Books & Audiobooks
I loved Amanda Peters’ debut novel, The Berry Pickers and was eagerly awaiting her latest offering, The Birthing Tree. Set in Nova Scotia, the story follows the life of Aliet Paul, a Mi’kmaw woman born in the traditional way of her people, in this case, under the birthing tree. No spoiler alert, her mother dies in childbirth and Aliet is raised by her grandmother, the local midwife, Kiju. The narrative goes back and forth from present day to the various stages of her growing up. Throughout the story Peters weaves in beautiful descriptions of the traditional ways of the Mi’kmaw people and the importance of keeping connected to the natural world. Peters deftly ties in a reference to the tragedy at the core of The Berry Pickers as she takes us through the
seasons using the comings and goings of the seasonal pickers as a pivot point. This labour force brings not only much needed manual help but more importantly, traditional stories that help Aliet to understand her own history and connection to the world around her.
While Aliet is adored by her grandmother, she is plagued by a deep sadness that comes from not having known her mother or father and that grief results in an internal wall that keeps Aliet at bay from those she loves. As she matures, she must find a way to bridge that chasm and embrace and protect the memory and traditions of her family and all of those who went before.
While I didn’t love this book as much as The Berry Pickers, it was still a lovely story.