The Trees - Percival Everett

A fearless literary thriller rooted in truth

The Trees by Percival Everett is a gripping, provocative novel that begins as a darkly comedic crime thriller and transforms into something far deeper and more disturbing. Set in a small Mississippi town, a series of brutal murders leaves bodies behind—alongside the corpse of a man resembling Emmett Till.

As more killings follow and a mysterious pattern emerges, local police and federal agents struggle to make sense of the impossible. But beneath the surface lies a supernatural reckoning with America’s history of racial violence, and a sharp critique of injustice that refuses to stay buried.

Violent, funny, and unapologetically bold

Shortlisted for the Booker Prize 2022, Everett’s novel balances macabre humor with searing social commentary. Blending noir, horror, and satire, The Trees doesn’t offer easy answers—but demands the reader face the truth.

Main Themes of the Book

• Racial violence and historical injustice
• The legacy of lynching in America
• The tension between justice and vengeance
• Absurdity, horror, and dark comedy
• The supernatural as metaphor for reckoning

Why you should read this book

• Booker Prize–shortlisted and critically acclaimed
• A genre-bending narrative unlike any other
• Masterfully balances satire with deep moral inquiry
• One of the most original voices in contemporary American literature
• Raises urgent questions about justice, history, and collective memory

The Trees is a razor-sharp, unflinching novel that forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths while delivering a powerful, unforgettable story. Percival Everett defies convention to create a work that is haunting, hilarious, and vitally important—a must-read for those who seek meaning in modern fiction.