The Tree Doctor

In Marie Mutsuki Mockett’s novel, an unnamed narrator returns to Carmel, California, to care for her ailing mother while navigating her own feelings of isolation and obligation, all set against the backdrop of her mother’s garden and a dormant cherry tree. As she becomes increasingly captivated by the garden and her own sense of renewal, she develops a passionate connection with an arborist, exploring themes of life, death, and natural cycles. Intertwining personal struggle with reflections on literature and the passage of time, the story offers a thoughtful meditation on body, nature, and resilience.