Pre-Publication Praise for The Lion Trees

Kirkus Reviews:

“[A] cerebral page turner…a powerful and promising debut.”

Book Ideas Reviews:

“In its structure and nature, [The Lion Trees] reminds me above all of John Updike’s wonderful Harry Rabbit novels and their ability to summarize the essence of change in American society across a decade at a time.”

Pacific Book Reviews:

“I loved The Lion Trees - and you will too. This is a powerful, gripping and realistic story. Once, a few decades ago, many authors would set out to write “The Great American Novel,” hoping to tap into whatever it is which makes the US and its people so unique and hopeful, particularly at a set point in time. The Grapes of Wrath comes to mind as such a novel. These days it doesn’t seem like anyone tries to write those kind of seminal novels anymore… until now. I don’t know that The Lion Trees will be held in this regard by others, but it certainly struck a nerve with me and I hope one day it comes to be considered a “Great American Novel.” The story is lengthy … but never dull. Don’t be intimated by the length. The novel is worth every minute you spend wrapped inside its world.
…
This is a wonderful, well thought out, well written tale, worth every minute, every hour, and every day that you spend in it. Mr. Thomas’ style is straightforward and easy (even with the various dialects he employs perfectly). He uses simple, detail-oriented diction, creating a wonderful base on which to build such a story. The Lion Trees does what so very few great novels can: it will take a lot out of you, but leave you with much more than you had when you began.”