Time and the Tree: a novel

5 Star Review

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Editorial Book Review:

By LD Clarke

Róisín Sorahan's debut novel, Time and the Tree, is a philosophical and luminous work that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, akin to a whispered truth. She crafts a timeless fable that is profoundly relevant to the modern human experience and deeply rooted in the ancient rhythms of storytelling with masterful elegance.

Sorahan's prose is remarkable, distinguished by its precision, grace, and rich poetic resonance. The narrative is characterized by a dreamlike clarity that is interspersed with sharp insights and gentle wisdom. Her narratives are deceptively simple, yet they are replete with symbolism, metaphor, and emotional intelligence. The reader is compelled to pause, reflect, and engage in an experiential journey, as each line seems to encompass an entire universe.

The eternal dialogue between innocence and wisdom, silence and voice, stillness and change is the central theme of Time and the Tree. Sorahan constructs an allegory about the fundamental questions of life, including the nature of truth, the burden and beauty of memory, and the long arc of becoming, through the personified characters of Time, the Tree, and a curious Boy. The book addresses the interconnectedness of all living things, resilience, and belonging.

The novel fosters emotional reflection. It offers both comfort and stimulation, providing both solace and a challenge. Readers are encouraged to detach from the noise and urgency and instead listen more attentively to the voices of nature, time, and the self, as the pages of this work possess a meditative quality. It is significant because it serves as a reminder that we are prone to overlooking: that wisdom is not always audible and that growth frequently results from silence.

Sorahan’s voice is wholly original—tender but unflinching, thoughtful but never preachy. She trusts the reader, and in doing so, creates a participatory experience where meaning blooms organically. The effect is enduring, with passages that echo long after the book is closed.

About the Author

Róisín Sorahan

Róisín Sorahan is a compulsive wanderer. Sitting by a grimy window on a beat-up bus is amongst her favourite things to do. Not knowing what's around the bend is part of the lure. Perhaps she's just not good with routines. 

She is also an award-winning Irish author, currently based in the United States. She has published numerous stories about her meanderings across six continents. Prior to becoming a nomad writer, she pursued a decade-long career in public relations. She holds a Master of Letters from Trinity College Dublin, specializing in Samuel Beckett. "Time and the Tree", her debut novel, has won multiple awards, including the Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal for Inspirational Fiction; The Eric Hoffer da Vinci Eye Book Award; and the 2025 Next Generation Book Award for Inspirational Fiction. A lot of it was written on the road.