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Maranatha #1
Watching the Tree Limbs
Watching the tree limbs keeps resilient nine-year-old Mara Weatherall from the pain of General's daily attacks--attacks he warns her to keep secret, or else. In the small world of 1979 Burl, Texas, all Mara really has are the tree limbs, a lumbering Aunt Elma, her boyfriend Officer Gus, the bully General, and her new best friend Camilla who rhymes maddening snatches of truth. Mara needs to escape General's advances and find out who her real parents are before those who would want to destroy her succeed. Will she recognize redemption through Zady the Jesus-loving housekeeper, Denim the clandestine town prophet, or Mr. Winningham her new guardian whose quiet rage masks even deeper secrets?
369 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2006
38 people are currently reading
414 people want to read
About the author
Mary E. DeMuth
72 books406 followersMary DeMuth is literary agent, international speaker, podcaster, and she’s the novelist and nonfiction author of over forty books, including Love, Pray, Listen: Parenting Your Wayward Adult Kids with Joy (Bethany 2022). She loves to help people re-story their lives. She lives in Texas with her husband of 31 years and is the mom to three adult children. Find out more at marydemuth.com. Be prayed for on her daily prayer podcast with 4 million downloads: prayeveryday.show. For sexual abuse resources, visit wetoo.org. For cards, prints, and artsy fun go to marydemuth.com/art. Find out what she’s looking for as a literary agent at marydemuthliterary.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 27, 2016
This book broke my heart for Mara, and for the real-life girls who have experienced a childhood devoid of safety and security. There were some surprising twists to the story that redeemed the characters. Having read Mary DeMuth's memoir, Thin Places, put so many elements of this fiction book in perspective for me. I bought and downloaded the sequel, Wishing On Dandelions, immediately.
November 2, 2017
Could not put it down.
August 16, 2012
http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/2012/08/...
Nine-year-old Mara has always wondered who she was and where she came from. Raised by two aunts (Nanny Lynn and Elma), her life has been a strange pattern of unanswered questions. When her Aunt Nanny Lynn dies, she’s suddenly thrust into the southern town of Burl with her Aunt Elma.
In Burl, Mara’s life turns extremely traumatic when she’s raped by a red-headed teenaged bully named General. She’s raped for nine days – General threatens to kill her (and her aunt) if she tells a soul about the rape. When her disinterested Aunt Elma suddenly dies, Mara automatically thinks General has killed her aunt and she struggles with the guilt, remaining silent about what she’s endured. Mara makes a friend in Burl, Camilla. Camilla brings a slice of sunshine into Mara’s dreary life, making rhymes, trying to make Mara smile.
After Elma’s death, Mara is sent to live with the mysterious Mr. Winningham. Who is he? He’s the town’s richest man, but, is he her father, or her grandfather? Is he a relative? Due to Mara’s mischief, Mr. Winningham forbids Elma from seeing her friend Camilla any longer. Alone, Mara finds friendship and kindness with Zady, Mr. Winningham’s maid. Zady takes Mara under her wing, taking her to church, teaching her about faith. Mara gets to know Zady’s family as she continues to struggle with her unknown background. She asks questions – questions that initially glean few answers.
While living with Mr. Winningham, Mara has to go to an all-black school since she’s now living in a different district and through limited communication with Camilla and a secret radio announcer named Denim, she struggles to find the missing pieces of her tattered life.
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read all year. Granted, seeing Mara getting raped nine times was extremely disturbing – rape to a child is a hurt that affects the core of your soul, making you feel for the character, desperately wanting the crime to stop. The town of Burl in the seventies also brings life to this book. Most of the adults in this book seemed crazy to me – a bit touched in the head. Most appeared to have such deep issues, issues that made you wonder what else was going on in this town besides what was happening in this novel.
It was also interesting to see Mara, the only white person, as part of an all-black community when she moves in with Mr. Winningham. When she goes to church with Zada, she’s the only white person, and when she goes to school, she’s the only white person in the entire school. In spite of her color difference, she fits into the black community easily, making friends that help her get through her dark days.
This book was definitely a page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Overall, a great read, but, the subject matter was disturbing, causing this story to stay in your mind for a long time.
~Cecelia Dowdy~
Nine-year-old Mara has always wondered who she was and where she came from. Raised by two aunts (Nanny Lynn and Elma), her life has been a strange pattern of unanswered questions. When her Aunt Nanny Lynn dies, she’s suddenly thrust into the southern town of Burl with her Aunt Elma.
In Burl, Mara’s life turns extremely traumatic when she’s raped by a red-headed teenaged bully named General. She’s raped for nine days – General threatens to kill her (and her aunt) if she tells a soul about the rape. When her disinterested Aunt Elma suddenly dies, Mara automatically thinks General has killed her aunt and she struggles with the guilt, remaining silent about what she’s endured. Mara makes a friend in Burl, Camilla. Camilla brings a slice of sunshine into Mara’s dreary life, making rhymes, trying to make Mara smile.
After Elma’s death, Mara is sent to live with the mysterious Mr. Winningham. Who is he? He’s the town’s richest man, but, is he her father, or her grandfather? Is he a relative? Due to Mara’s mischief, Mr. Winningham forbids Elma from seeing her friend Camilla any longer. Alone, Mara finds friendship and kindness with Zady, Mr. Winningham’s maid. Zady takes Mara under her wing, taking her to church, teaching her about faith. Mara gets to know Zady’s family as she continues to struggle with her unknown background. She asks questions – questions that initially glean few answers.
While living with Mr. Winningham, Mara has to go to an all-black school since she’s now living in a different district and through limited communication with Camilla and a secret radio announcer named Denim, she struggles to find the missing pieces of her tattered life.
This is probably one of the best books I’ve read all year. Granted, seeing Mara getting raped nine times was extremely disturbing – rape to a child is a hurt that affects the core of your soul, making you feel for the character, desperately wanting the crime to stop. The town of Burl in the seventies also brings life to this book. Most of the adults in this book seemed crazy to me – a bit touched in the head. Most appeared to have such deep issues, issues that made you wonder what else was going on in this town besides what was happening in this novel.
It was also interesting to see Mara, the only white person, as part of an all-black community when she moves in with Mr. Winningham. When she goes to church with Zada, she’s the only white person, and when she goes to school, she’s the only white person in the entire school. In spite of her color difference, she fits into the black community easily, making friends that help her get through her dark days.
This book was definitely a page-turner. I couldn’t put it down. Overall, a great read, but, the subject matter was disturbing, causing this story to stay in your mind for a long time.
~Cecelia Dowdy~
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August 11, 2011It's hard to read about pain and abuse. Still I enjoyed the writing style, like when Demuth describes Mara's teacher rewinding a movie and the class watching it backward and how Mara wishes she could rewind her life.
I thought the cook's character was a little erratic, and the man in the big white house just a little too cold and aloof. Still a good read though.
I really liked the play on names: Mara meaning "bitter" and Maranatha meaning "Come, Lord Jesus!"
I thought the cook's character was a little erratic, and the man in the big white house just a little too cold and aloof. Still a good read though.
I really liked the play on names: Mara meaning "bitter" and Maranatha meaning "Come, Lord Jesus!"
April 12, 2009
Loving it so far and can't wait to get into Mary's other books! Have them sitting there on my coffee table just waiting for me! :D
I am through with Watching Tree Limbs and now reading Wishing On Dandelions!
I am through with Watching Tree Limbs and now reading Wishing On Dandelions!
May 26, 2009
Interesting, fast paced story about our hearts desire to be wanted and loved. I never would have predicted the end.
July 29, 2010
hard for me to admit i really liked this book. so much so i wanted to read more of hers... not preachy so that helped!
March 8, 2011
This is a very well written book. In my opinion Mary is a very talented author. The story was very touching, I just could not put the book down until I was finished.
August 26, 2011
Tough subject matter, but overall worthwhile if you can handle the topic of child abuse. Good message that one overcame it, but tough nonetheless.
April 30, 2012
I loved this book so much. I thought it would be good but it was SOOOOOO much better than I expected.
August 22, 2016
My heart broke as I read what happened to Mara. It beautifully captures your attention and causes you to really care about the main character.
January 5, 2024
Told through nine-year-old Mara’s POV, Watching Tree Limbs addresses the hard but important topic of childhood sexual abuse and loneliness.
The older boy who abuses Mara threatens her into keeping a secret, but those around her are also keeping secrets from her. Like who her parents are. This mystery is intriguing and keeps the reader wanting to turn pages. The prose flows in a honey smooth kind of way and even though it’s a hard topic, beauty pops in and offers hope.
Mary Demuth speaks openly about her own sexual abuse as a child, and in this story she writes about the topic deftly. She doesn’t shy away from the brokenness of it all, but in a gentle and redemptive way she writes about hope despite it.
Books on such topics can be hard to read, but they are so important. Both in prevention and understanding to walk with those who have experienced it.
This isn’t a book only about sexual abuse, it is a book that says to the mistreated, the ones whose voice’s are silenced, and the ones who want to find healing and belonging, you are seen and you are loved.
The older boy who abuses Mara threatens her into keeping a secret, but those around her are also keeping secrets from her. Like who her parents are. This mystery is intriguing and keeps the reader wanting to turn pages. The prose flows in a honey smooth kind of way and even though it’s a hard topic, beauty pops in and offers hope.
Mary Demuth speaks openly about her own sexual abuse as a child, and in this story she writes about the topic deftly. She doesn’t shy away from the brokenness of it all, but in a gentle and redemptive way she writes about hope despite it.
Books on such topics can be hard to read, but they are so important. Both in prevention and understanding to walk with those who have experienced it.
This isn’t a book only about sexual abuse, it is a book that says to the mistreated, the ones whose voice’s are silenced, and the ones who want to find healing and belonging, you are seen and you are loved.
May 7, 2019
I read this book about 13 years OK and after reading Wishing on Dandelions, I reread this book to refresh my memory on the details. I'm so glad I did. The book is better than I remembered. It saddened me so much that Maranatha was treated like she was such a nuisance and that she was used and abused by General. Zady was probably the closest friend that Maranatha had and even she was moody at times around Maranatha. I thought that Demuth tackled the issue of rape very well. This is not a subject I've seen often in Christian fiction, but Demuth did an excellent job weaving her own personal experiences on this topic into this book.
January 12, 2017
What a beautiful book! It's the story of a little girl growing up in a small town where people keep too many secrets, suffering abuse at the hands of an older boy, and finding her way to her family, such as it is.....as she learns what family really means. Her heartaches are such poignant ones, and the process of her learning to accept love and physical touch is endearing. I loved this book, and want to see if there's a next one, since this is called "Maranatha, #1!
July 22, 2023
This book was slow going for my taste but at a third of the way through, I figured I would finish it. The last few chapters gave this book an extra star for me. Also, reading about trauma from the perspective of a little girl makes me want to go out and protect every little girl out there. This made my compassion grow for those in difficult situations. Awesome to see it tied to faith in God, too.
February 2, 2018
A very emotional read. Mara felt like she had no one that loved her. No one that she could trust or talk to. Then God placed people in her life that showed her love and that The Truth would set her free. That she indeed had a Father that loved her. I bought and downloaded the sequel immediately.
November 8, 2018
Love the mystery
I’m loving Mary DeMuth’s novels. She does include fairly intense (not graphic) events/circumstances that can be triggers for victims of abuse. You must become a reader of her blog to learn of her own personal experience and journey to healing to appreciate her writings. Very well written and engaging. Moving on to the sequel!
I’m loving Mary DeMuth’s novels. She does include fairly intense (not graphic) events/circumstances that can be triggers for victims of abuse. You must become a reader of her blog to learn of her own personal experience and journey to healing to appreciate her writings. Very well written and engaging. Moving on to the sequel!
February 13, 2021
Beautiful writing, a very moving book, one that tugs on the heartstrings. The main character, Maranatha, is a strong girl and she's written with such depth, even though she's a child. The plot, Maranatha's search for her parents, kept me turning pages. The ending had me in tears, to see that justice was done.
June 17, 2023
it has been said many times that statistics show 1 in every 3 girls in America are victims of some form of sexual abuse before they reach the age of 18.
1 in 3.
Reported cases.
Maranatha's story exemplifies that reality. I look forward to reading the second book. The book of healing and overcoming. The book of how life goes on even after this and victims can become survivors who thrive.
1 in 3.
Reported cases.
Maranatha's story exemplifies that reality. I look forward to reading the second book. The book of healing and overcoming. The book of how life goes on even after this and victims can become survivors who thrive.
August 29, 2018
WOW.
That's all I can say right now. Just wow.
That's all I can say right now. Just wow.
July 14, 2021
Not going to lie, the first 6-8 chapters were rough- especially as a mom. But then I got sucked in, and really enjoyed the ending.
November 27, 2022
Started reading this just wondering what it was about, and couldn't put down! Very unexpected, enjoyable read!
February 11, 2023
From start to finish this is a fascinating yet somber book about the tragic life of a 9 year old. Without giving anything away, she does find truth and beauty in the end.
August 19, 2014
Another story from a favorite genre--a girl's coming of age...but it's a heart-breaking story of a child. It's a story of deep family secrets that leave the girl, Mara, unwanted, unloved, and abused. So many questions go unanswered for this little girl...why do people--the adults in her life--keep the basics from Mara? Simple questions such as, "Who are my parents?" and "Why didn't they want me?"
But the family secrets are in place to protect the girl. If certain people in the town of Burl TX knew about her, knew where she lived and went to school...She doesn't understand, but these powerful people in this small town are dangerous. They use their power to get what they want. There are hints that their power includes murder.
This book also handles the ugly topic of child sexual abuse. It is ugly and very painful, but the author handles it sensitive to the feelings of the reader. It is not graphic...that's not needed. And still, reading the accounts of Mara's abuse, I was filled with anger, hatred, and even shame. I wanted to be Mara's voice.
Watching the tree limbs is how Mara handles the abuse. She looks up and watches the limbs move and reach upward. It is this fascination with nature giving praise that draws Mara to God. She finds her Heavenly Father under the limbs of a pecan tree...and soon, the missing pieces of the "puzzle of her heart" come into place as well.
This was an engaging read--walking alongside Mara in the mystery of her beginnings, wanting with her the answers to her family secrets. Many of those secrets were answered in the end, but some remained. There is a second book to the "Maranatha" story and I hope the hints that Gus and General were involved in murder are addressed. I also want to know why Gus, the crooked cop, took Mara to the Winningham manor after Aunt Elma died. Why, if he was in on "removing" her from the town of Burl, why did he place Mara in the hands of the very one who would protect her?
But the family secrets are in place to protect the girl. If certain people in the town of Burl TX knew about her, knew where she lived and went to school...She doesn't understand, but these powerful people in this small town are dangerous. They use their power to get what they want. There are hints that their power includes murder.
This book also handles the ugly topic of child sexual abuse. It is ugly and very painful, but the author handles it sensitive to the feelings of the reader. It is not graphic...that's not needed. And still, reading the accounts of Mara's abuse, I was filled with anger, hatred, and even shame. I wanted to be Mara's voice.
Watching the tree limbs is how Mara handles the abuse. She looks up and watches the limbs move and reach upward. It is this fascination with nature giving praise that draws Mara to God. She finds her Heavenly Father under the limbs of a pecan tree...and soon, the missing pieces of the "puzzle of her heart" come into place as well.
This was an engaging read--walking alongside Mara in the mystery of her beginnings, wanting with her the answers to her family secrets. Many of those secrets were answered in the end, but some remained. There is a second book to the "Maranatha" story and I hope the hints that Gus and General were involved in murder are addressed. I also want to know why Gus, the crooked cop, took Mara to the Winningham manor after Aunt Elma died. Why, if he was in on "removing" her from the town of Burl, why did he place Mara in the hands of the very one who would protect her?
February 7, 2015
This novel with a traumatic story and captivating characters deals with the serious subject of rape; yet, it starts the nine-year old Mara’s story through her own voice, staying true to the voice of the child and her voice as she matures. The setting of the story is Burl, Texas.
Mara, unloved and little cared for, one day stops to talk to a high school student, named Robert E. Lee, with the nickname General. Through devious tactics and threats, the General forces Mara to be with him nine more times. Mara’s psychology is shown realistically and her internal turmoil most touchingly through this ordeal while she remains silent about her suffering, so General won’t hurt other people around her.
While Mara believes she has been raised by Nanny Lynn and her daughter Aunt Elma, her true background is totally different. When Elma dies of cancer, Mara is taken to live with Mr. Winningham, a rich, powerful yet cantankerous old man. The housekeeper Zady in Mr. Winningham’s mansion mothers Mara and takes her to church. In the church and through a few other sources, Mara slowly uncovers her background.
Possibly because of the author’s religious views, however, Mara’s sudden finding of Jesus, minimizes her discovery of her parentage, which should be the climax in the story. This is just about the only flaw where this story’s construction is concerned, but then, most faith-based novels have a way of interrupting the flow of a story.
On the other hand, characterization is wonderful with quirky adult characters and a few villainous ones. The most thoroughly portrayed characters are those of Mara’s, her friend Camilla’s, and Zady's.
The storytelling is quite good and captures the reader through a strong plot and emotion. As a reader I did care about Mara, and the mystery and suspense of the story kept me reading this book until it ended.
March 31, 2015
Watching The Tree Limbs by Mary De Muth is an excellent book. It is filled with powerful emotions, well-developed and relatable characters, real and troubling scenes of violence and abuse and real and hope-inspiring scenes of God’s love and truth. My church book club read this for our March selection and it received unanimous thumbs-up. I think we had the best discussion ever — everyone had strong feelings about the characters, the plot and the intense themes.
Mara Weatherall is a young girl who is given second-hand attention in addition to second-hand toys and clothes. In her ninth year, sexual abuse by a neighborhood boy is added to the neglect by her adult caretaker. Broken, confused and adrift, Mara holds on as best she can with the advice of her friend to watch the tree limbs. The defenseless child may be forgotten and abandoned by most of the adults in her life, but God never leaves her.
I wanted to slap someone while reading Watching The Tree Limbs. I wanted to slap the neglectful and indifferent adults in Mara’s life. I wanted to slap the teenage boy who steals her innocence and her sense of self. I even wanted to slap the loving housekeeper, Zady, who comes to offer a bit of comfort and protection, but is bound by secrets. This book caused me to enter into Mara’s fear, hurt and anger. With autobiographical touches, Mary De Muth has created a challenging and moving novel that will stay with me for a long time. Child sexual abuse is never an easy topic to read about, but I feel this novel is a must-read. Mara’s spiritual journey is one of discovery of a good and loving God who is present even in the midst of darkness, despair, and fear.
Watching The Tree Limbs is the first book in a 2-part series. I am anticipating another excellent read in Wishing on Dandelions.
Highly Recommended.
Mara Weatherall is a young girl who is given second-hand attention in addition to second-hand toys and clothes. In her ninth year, sexual abuse by a neighborhood boy is added to the neglect by her adult caretaker. Broken, confused and adrift, Mara holds on as best she can with the advice of her friend to watch the tree limbs. The defenseless child may be forgotten and abandoned by most of the adults in her life, but God never leaves her.
I wanted to slap someone while reading Watching The Tree Limbs. I wanted to slap the neglectful and indifferent adults in Mara’s life. I wanted to slap the teenage boy who steals her innocence and her sense of self. I even wanted to slap the loving housekeeper, Zady, who comes to offer a bit of comfort and protection, but is bound by secrets. This book caused me to enter into Mara’s fear, hurt and anger. With autobiographical touches, Mary De Muth has created a challenging and moving novel that will stay with me for a long time. Child sexual abuse is never an easy topic to read about, but I feel this novel is a must-read. Mara’s spiritual journey is one of discovery of a good and loving God who is present even in the midst of darkness, despair, and fear.
Watching The Tree Limbs is the first book in a 2-part series. I am anticipating another excellent read in Wishing on Dandelions.
Highly Recommended.
April 18, 2016
It is so hard to review this book. What do you say when you've had a glimpse into the tortured soul of an abused youngster? Abused, feeling alone and unwanted by everyone around her, not only does little Maranatha not know where she came from or where she belongs, but she has her very soul ripped away from her by a menacing brute in her neighborhood.
During childhood, most of us learn that "beautiful" is something good, a quality we aspire to in both physical and intangible ways, and human touch is meant to evoke a feeling of safety and comfort. But for many kids, evil people, through their vile actions, turn "beautiful" into something ugly and human touch into torment.
This story is tragic and heartrending and yet life-affirming when we see Maranatha emerge to reclaim her life and her truth. It truly is a breathtaking book that will linger with me for a very long time.
During childhood, most of us learn that "beautiful" is something good, a quality we aspire to in both physical and intangible ways, and human touch is meant to evoke a feeling of safety and comfort. But for many kids, evil people, through their vile actions, turn "beautiful" into something ugly and human touch into torment.
This story is tragic and heartrending and yet life-affirming when we see Maranatha emerge to reclaim her life and her truth. It truly is a breathtaking book that will linger with me for a very long time.
November 12, 2014
Mara was a nine year old girl, who had her innocence stolen. She believes lies and enters deeper into darkness in protection of those lies. Afraid of what would happen if the truth was told she forms her own world. A secret plagues her concerning her own mother and she seeks to unravel its mystery. Symbols weaved through the book, waiting for the words to be revealed. I walked with this girl, ran with her when she was chased and hid with her from dangers that sought to destroy her. The author is a master at painting imagery so real that its imprints on my mind will stay a long time. This is a great read, that tackled the deep pain of abuse. It gave an understanding as to why the abused don't reveal the abuser.
March 9, 2016
Spoilers
3.5 rating
hated how the story was about rape but all the other subplots were good. I wish they a knowledged who her mother was. Couldn't they give information about her besides that she was raped too? Like Mara didn't even have a name for the longest time. Mara even asked if her dad was 'Jo' to mamma Frankie. I know she wasn't all there but wouldn't you remember that Sephine came from Josephine aka Jo?
I kind of thought Mr. W was going to be her dad, her grandpa or the famous, Denim.
You really got to know all the characters. Very good writing skills
3.5 rating
hated how the story was about rape but all the other subplots were good. I wish they a knowledged who her mother was. Couldn't they give information about her besides that she was raped too? Like Mara didn't even have a name for the longest time. Mara even asked if her dad was 'Jo' to mamma Frankie. I know she wasn't all there but wouldn't you remember that Sephine came from Josephine aka Jo?
I kind of thought Mr. W was going to be her dad, her grandpa or the famous, Denim.
You really got to know all the characters. Very good writing skills
August 31, 2016
Until a friend loaned me this book, I didn't know Mary DeMuth had written fiction. I'm so happy to have made this discovery!
Watching the Tree Limbs weaves tragedy, mystery, hope, and truth together in an enchanting way. DeMuth is an enticing storyteller; every time a new clue or hint showed up to unravel the mystery of one of the characters, I thought I'd figured it out...until another surprising development came along.
I loved this raw, gritty yet redemptive story and will definitely read more of DeMuth's fiction.
Watching the Tree Limbs weaves tragedy, mystery, hope, and truth together in an enchanting way. DeMuth is an enticing storyteller; every time a new clue or hint showed up to unravel the mystery of one of the characters, I thought I'd figured it out...until another surprising development came along.
I loved this raw, gritty yet redemptive story and will definitely read more of DeMuth's fiction.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews