The Willow Tree

I love willow trees and Hubert Selby is a great author. When I bought this I went two for two. Not to spoil it or anything, but under a willow tree is where the main guy and his friend go for one of the most memorable scenes. I'm surprised they haven't made this one into a movie yet. It's about addiction and going to the gym a lot. I would read this one again. It was worth buying for my book collection.

I have ordered all of this authors books as I enjoyed the movie Requiem for a dream... This was the 1st book I read & I couldn't put it down. Recommend this book.

I have read all of Selby's books, save for "Requiem for a Dream" (though I have seen Aronofsky's superb cinema treatment of it). All of Selby's works, up until this one, contain a savagery and hatred for the injustice and pain of this world. This world view , I think was most likely brought on by the events of his own life experiences (surgeries, amputations etc). Selby's books are some of the most visceral, terrifying, disturbing and truthful that I have ever been fortunate to come across. Though his uncompromising lyrical savegery can sometimes be hard to take. The fable of "The Willow Tree" is in my opinion, his best book. All of his others are black places of hopelessness, dark clammy holes with no light at all, nothing but the whispering maw of destruction and despair. The Willow Tree brings us awareness, for the first time ever in Selby's books, of the existence of hope and forgiveness, which can be used as weapons to heal the great hurts that the world can sometimes heap upon us. This is the book I feel truly represents the most important turning point in Selby's personal journey. Be submerged in darkness, and through your own valor and humanity emerge cleansed. A masterwork. FatherCrow

The plot of this book is awesome. I love the understanding and compassion of the main characters. Some of the story is a little overly dramatic and hard to swallow, but all in all this is an enjoyable read.

I just finished reading this, and after having read both Last Exit and Requiem I think Selby is one of the greatest and most relevant writers living today. Here is a man who _understands_, who sees the inherent pain, suffering, and also beauty that makes life so tragic and confusing, and who can communicate this struggle so forcefully that you cannot help but to face it with him. The Willow Tree is an extended meditation on hate, redemption, love, and time. Far from being simplistic, the novel is highly nuanced and well reasoned. Sure, the characters here are a little fantastic, but like all of Selby's characters they are thoroughly developed; Selby has great trust in his characters, and allows them the freedom to tell the story on their own. Yes, it is unusual that Moishe's apartment has a whirlpool and other amenities, but it is clear that he is an unusual and special man. I grew attached to these characters, and I think that all but the most cynical and jaded reader would as well. Selby should not be embarassed by this novel, quite the opposite; The Willow Tree is an eloquent and moving discussion of the emotions and values that torment our lives. Do not dismiss it based on the words of a critic -- you will be missing out on a vibrant, engaging, wonderful book.