On a stormy Saturday evening, Enya Pickering’s drive home takes an unexpected turn when she encounters a distraught taxi driver. He has stumbled upon a hit-and-run victim—a boy who looks remarkably like Enya’s own 15-year-old son, Finn. Instincts honed from years as a general practitioner kick in, and Enya takes charge, performing CPR until emergency services arrive.
Haunted by personal demons relating to her mother’s death, a marriage in trouble, and a life in disarray, Enya feels compelled to escape her past. She makes a radical decision to accept a new job in a remote rural area, leaving behind her husband and son. But her past proves stubbornly persistent, refusing to be outrun. As the Garda investigate the hit-and-run and her family relationships strain, Enya finds herself grappling not only with external pressures but also with her own inner turmoil.
Enya, at forty-seven, believes her life has reached a dead end, but in the tranquil countryside reminiscent of her childhood sanctuary with her sister and mother, she discovers a newfound peace. Memories of that safety, etched forever in her heart and her mother’s writings, became her guiding light. Enya carries this inner strength with her, navigating the darkness of her journey with resilience and hope.
This book speaks directly to women over a certain age who are navigating this stage in life, a stage where stability often gives way to introspection and a desire for personal growth. It explores themes of resilience, the weight of past decisions, and the healing power of reconnecting with one’s roots. The writing style, deeply infused with melancholy and introspection, captures the profound emotional depth of Enya’s journey, resonating with readers on a visceral level.
The characters are rich and developed, each grappling with their own complexities and emotional landscapes. Enya’s struggle between her public persona and private turmoil adds layers of depth, reflecting the intricate realities of human experience.
Rooted in the concept of the Tree of Life and influenced by spirituality, the narrative weave’s themes of interconnectedness and healing. The Rag Tree serves as a potent symbol of Enya’s journey towards inner peace and restoration, making her story both poignant and profoundly meaningful.
