The Cicada Tree

By: Robert Gwaltney

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

WHEN AN ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD, WHISKY DRINKING, PIANO PRODIGY ENCOUNTERS A WEALTHY FAMILY POSSESSING SUPERNATURAL BEAUTY, HER ENSUING OBSESSION UNLEASHES FAMILY SECRETS AND A CATACLYSMIC PLAGUE OF CICADAS.

The summer of 1956, a brood of cicadas descends upon Providence, Georgia, a natural event with supernatural repercussions, unhinging the life of Analeise Newell, an eleven-year-old piano prodigy. Amidst this emergence, dark obsessions are stirred, uncanny gifts provoked, and secrets unearthed.

During a visit to Mistletoe, a plantation owned by the wealthy Mayfield family, Analeise encounters Cordelia Mayfield and her daughter Marlissa, both of whom possess an otherworldly beauty, a lineal trait regarded as that Mayfield Shine. A whisper and an act of violence perpetrated during this visit by Mrs. Mayfield all converge to kindle Analeise's fascination with the Mayfields.

Analeise's burgeoning obsession with the Mayfield family overshadows her own seemingly, ordinary life, culminating in dangerous games and manipulation, setting off a chain of cataclysmic events with life-altering consequences—all of it unfolding to the maddening whir of a cicada song.

©2022 Robert Gwaltney (P)2024 Tantor

The speaker

The speaker/reader brought me into the story from Analeise’s perspective. The story was not my favorite, but it was well-written and enjoyable to read.

Enchanting!

I might be a little biased, but I love the performance and story of The Cicada Tree. Allyson Johson does an amazing job narrating.

A Southern Page-turner

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is well-written, and a page-turner... all wrapped up in a lovely, lyrical prose.
I am impressed with author Robert Gwaltney's storyteller and writing skills. I look forward to his next novel!