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The Awakening Land #1

The Trees

conrad richter

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The Trees is a moving novel of the beginning of the American trek to the west. Toward the close of the eighteenth century, the land west of the Alleghenies and north of the Ohio River was an unbroken sea of trees. Beneath them the forest trails were dark, silent, and lonely, brightened only by a few lost beams of sunlight. Here, in the first novel of Conrad Richter’s Awakening Land trilogy, the Lucketts, a wild, woods-faring family, lived their roaming life, pushing ever westward as the frontier advanced and as new settlements threatened their isolation.This novel gives an excellent feel for America's lost woods culture, which was created when most of the eastern midwest was a vast hardwood forest---virtually a jungle. The Trees conveys settler life, including conflicts with Native Americans, illness, hunting, family dynamics, and marriage.

167 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1940
Series
The Awakening Land
Places
the united states of america, ohio, pennsylvania, 

This edition

Format
167 pages, Paperback
Published
May 1, 1991 by Ohio University Press
ISBN
9780821409787
ASIN
0821409786
Language
English

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About the author

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conrad richter

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
44(44%)
4 stars
22(22%)
3 stars
34(34%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Dark_Slytherin
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This was my very first Conrad Richter novel, and I found myself completely enamored with it. So much so that I'm now eagerly anticipating delving deeper into the story by continuing with his three-part series, The Awakening Land.

The tale is set in the late 1700s to the early 1800s, precisely at the onset of the pioneer migration into the Northwest Territory, which is now the state of Ohio. Back then, it was a land thickly covered with forests and devoid of any significant population. Richter's narrative follows the Luckett family and the numerous challenges they confronted on a daily basis as they endeavored to make this untamed land their home. At times, the story was incredibly poignant, and Richter effectively depicted just how heartbreaking and arduous this way of life could be.

I've perused numerous books regarding the westward migration along the Oregon Trail, but this earlier migration was entirely unfamiliar to me. In many respects, I believe these pioneers had an even more difficult time. Their social isolation was profound, and they lacked the mutual support that neighbors and friends could have provided. It was truly a remarkable and resilient breed of people who ventured forth into this harsh land in search of a better life.

Richter's language was both rich and authentic. It seemed to capture perfectly the way these early pioneers would have communicated and expressed themselves. This aspect truly enhanced the overall atmosphere of the story, making it even more immersive and engaging.
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MemeShowEnjoyer
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A classic novel set on the Ohio frontier, it vividly描绘s the hardscrabble lives of the Luckett family. Among them, the incredibly strong oldest daughter, Sayward, steps up to take charge when her mother passes away. The family had the option to reside in an established settlement, yet they chose to live off the land in the unimaginably dense forests of the newly opened Northwest Territory. This edition features a preface written by David McCullough. He had the opportunity to meet Conrad Richter and they formed a friendship. McCullough was greatly influenced by the older author's generous spirit. Now, I am eager to read the two sequels to closely follow the course of Sayward's life and discover how she navigates through the challenges and changes that come her way.

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Jagara
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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3.9 stars. It didn't quite reach the 4-star mark, but I truly adored the ending.

It bestowed meaning upon everything that had transpired before it.

As they say, Richter has this remarkable ability to make you feel as if he was right there at the turn of the 18th century.

The story he weaves is so vivid and engaging that it transports you to that bygone era.

You can almost smell the ink on the pages, feel the drafty rooms, and sense the anticipation in the air.

Richter's attention to detail is astonishing, and it really adds depth and authenticity to the narrative.

Even though it didn't quite achieve a full 4 stars, the overall experience was still highly enjoyable and值得 recommending.

I look forward to reading more of Richter's work in the future.

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Archejoiyo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I've long been fascinated by anything relating to the frontier or pioneers.

However, I've never read anything quite like this.

It's earlier than most American pioneer tales, taking place not long after the American Revolution.

Rather than being set on the prairies of the High Plains, this story is set in the primeval forests of Ohio.

The setting is super-bleak, and I truly had no idea what to expect or what would happen to these characters.

This uncertainty kept me turning the pages, eager to find out.

I also love that most of the story is told from a handful of female perspectives.

This gives a unique and interesting view of the challenges and experiences faced by the pioneers.

Overall, this is a captivating and engaging read that I would highly recommend to anyone interested in frontier history or just a good story.
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dvlsweet666
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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When a man firmly decides to move west, there's hardly anything that can prevent him.

Even if it implies hauling his entire, impoverished family from Pennsylvania to Ohio, traversing through woods so dense that one can't catch a glimpse of the sky until winter when the trees shed their foliage. Such a place is the domain of the wild animals that roam freely, not for families with young children.

But from this moment on, his dark, damp, moss-covered world will be regarded as home, and looking back serves no purpose at all.

The story commences abruptly, and the names are so distinctive that it took my mind some time to figure out who was who. However, once I did, I couldn't tear myself away from it.

I've perused numerous books about westward expansion, but this is the first one that enabled me to envision the land as it was before the cultivation of fields, when entire states were nothing more than enormous forests so vast that one could easily lose their way while picking berries and never find the path back home.

The sense of aloneness... I could sense it, smell it, and taste it. It was truly magical.

I must inform you that this is a gritty tale. There is no explicit sexual content or anything of that nature, but it depicts a harsh environment.

There is illness, death, abandonment, and there is one terrifying scene of animal violence that nearly made me stop reading. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't read the book if you're an animal lover, but I will say that if you're sensitive to such things (and I hope you are), just be aware that when you encounter a scene involving a settlement and a tied-up wolf, skip the next page. I'm serious. You'll be grateful to me later.

The remainder of the book is wonderful. It is recommended for those who relished "Mrs Mike", "My Name is Mary Sutter", "These is my Words", and so on.

I have to award this book five stars.
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LackingSanity
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The Trees is the initial installment in The Awakening Land trilogy. This remarkable trilogy chronicles the evolution of a middle-American landscape. It begins as a wilderness, transforms into farmland, and eventually becomes the site of modern industrial civilization, all within the lifespan of a single character. The trilogy has brought author Conrad Richter tremendous acclaim, placing him among the greatest American mid-century novelists. It consists of The Trees (1940), The Fields (1946), and The Town (1950). The story follows the diverse fortunes of Sayward Luckett and her family in southeastern Ohio.


This book is a captivating read. Although it can be a bit challenging in certain parts due to the vernacular used by the characters, with a little effort and the help of a dictionary to define unfamiliar words, it becomes a truly enjoyable experience. I'm really looking forward to delving into the second book, The Fields.


From the Publisher:


The Trees tells the tale of an American family in the wilderness. This family "followed the woods as some families follow the sea." The setting is the end of the eighteenth century, and the wilderness is the land west of the Alleghenies and north of the Ohio River. Primarily, it is the story of a girl named Sayward, the eldest daughter of Worth and Jary Luckett. Raised in the forest far from the rest of humanity, she gradually realizes that the way of the hunter must give way to the way of the tiller of the soil.
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Kirbeee
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A Wonderful Start to a Trilogy


This story marks a truly wonderful start to a trilogy. From the very beginning, it grabs the reader's attention and refuses to let go. The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own unique personalities and motives. The setting is richly detailed, creating a world that feels both familiar and yet充满神秘.
The plot unfolds at a steady pace, filled with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. There are moments of intense excitement and heart-pounding action, as well as quieter, more introspective scenes that allow the reader to get to know the characters on a deeper level.
Overall, this first installment of the trilogy is a masterful work of fiction that leaves the reader eagerly anticipating the next two books. It sets the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable adventure, and I can't wait to see where the story takes us next.
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AoiRingo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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In the late 18th Century, the Ludkett family embarked on a arduous journey. They walked from Pennsylvania into neighboring Ohio, carrying only a few essential belongings. Ohio at that time was almost entirely covered by a dense forest of tall hardwoods.

Only an occasional ray of light managed to penetrate through the thick foliage of the trees. Worth Luckett, a skilled woodsman, hunter, and trapper, had a strong desire to travel westward in search of an abundance of wild game. Jary, on the other hand, was sickly but still did her best to support her husband. Their five children, led by the eldest daughter Sayward, tried to make the most of the situation.

After settling in central Ohio, the Lucketts encountered numerous challenges and suffered losses. However, Sayward possessed an inner strength and a strong work ethic that held the family together.

Author Conrad Richter mentioned in the Foreward that he had access to a historical collection of rare books, manuscripts, and letters. This collection helped him document the speech of the early pioneers of the Ohio Valley. It didn't take long for readers to get accustomed to the unusual expressions from the context.

"The Trees" is an engaging and concise book that concludes with new and promising events that transform Sayward's life. Fortunately, this book is part of "The Awakening Land" trilogy. So, I still have "The Fields" and "The Town" to look forward to reading this summer.
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