The Tree of Hands (1984)

by Ruth Rendell

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Members	Reviews	Popularity	Average rating	Mentions
496	4	52,716	(3.67)	10
A young boy dies, another goes missing, and one mother's choice will forever alter many lives When Benet's young son dies on the operating table, she cannot be comforted-not even by her mother who cares for a young boy just about the same age. Meanwhile, another mother's son goes missing, and police circle around possible suspects in what must be murder. These three mothers-the schizophrenic Mopsa, upwardly mobile Benet, and gold-digging Carol-become forever entwined by death, delusion, kidnapping, and murder, and one woman's loss becomes another's gain. With deft characterization and keen insight, Rendell presents a complex, real exploration of morality and a mother's love in this Crime Writers' Association Macallan Silver Dagger award-winning novel.… (more)

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Started Early, Took My Dog by Kate Atkinson (Imprinted)
Imprinted: There are some strikingly similar themes involving children and parental love between these two terrific novels.

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Two lost toddlers--one dead and one gone missing; two very different mothers--one bereft, one oddly unconcerned. A host of secondary characters, all with secrets, suspicions, and personal agendas, some with moral dilemmas, some devoid of any moral sense. It's a typical Rendell stew, and no one dare try to predict how the flavors will blend. Not my favorite Rendell, but an absorbing page-turner as usual with her. (

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laytonwoman3rd | Feb 27, 2024 |

gave me nightmares. (

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TanteLeonie | Mar 11, 2014 |

This is one of Ruth Rendell's better works. I love how characters are introduced who seemingly have no relationship to other characters then all plotlines are brought together seamlessly and effortlessly. What do a daughter's grief, her mother's madness, an unfit mother and a kidnapping all have in common? Benet has suffered though her mother's mania all her life and just when she finally is at peace her mother turns her world upside down again.
Great read! (

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lsh63 | Sep 7, 2009 |

RR has done it again. I loved how the sub-plots came together letting the reader predict just enough to feel good, but still be surprised. I think I always wanted Jay to be able to stay with Benet and not have to go back to that sadistic bitch Carol, even though I felt sorry for the unfair treatment of her boyfriend, Barry. The scene where he’s attacked and beaten by those “bikers”, is riveting. I felt so outraged at the injustice. In the end when Benet has to give up her love for Ian, I don’t feel the sacrifice is too great, after all, how close can they be when they haven’t really shared anything.

Bookmarque | Jun 10, 2009 |

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▾Other authors

» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author name	Role	Type of author	Work?	Status
Ruth Rendell	—	primary author	all editions	calculated
Walter, Edith	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed
Weisser, Graziella	Translator	secondary author	some editions	confirmed

▾Series and work relationships

Belongs to Publisher Series

Mistral [Rizzoli]

rororo thriller (2723)

Is contained in

The Tree of Hands [and] A Demon in My View by Ruth Rendell

▾Awards and Honors

Awards

Crime Writers' Association Awards (Winner – Silver Dagger – 1984)

Edgar Award (Nominee – Novel – 1986)

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▾Common Knowledge

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Canonical title

The Tree of Hands

Original title

The Tree of Hands

Alternative titles

Original publication date

1984

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Related movies

Tree of Hands (1989 | IMDb)

Epigraph

Dedication

First words

Once, when Benet was about fourteen, they had been in a train together, alone in the carriage, and Mopsa had tried to stab her with a carving knife.

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The Tree of Hands

▾Book descriptions

A young boy dies, another goes missing, and one mother's choice will forever alter many lives When Benet's young son dies on the operating table, she cannot be comforted-not even by her mother who cares for a young boy just about the same age. Meanwhile, another mother's son goes missing, and police circle around possible suspects in what must be murder. These three mothers-the schizophrenic Mopsa, upwardly mobile Benet, and gold-digging Carol-become forever entwined by death, delusion, kidnapping, and murder, and one woman's loss becomes another's gain. With deft characterization and keen insight, Rendell presents a complex, real exploration of morality and a mother's love in this Crime Writers' Association Macallan Silver Dagger award-winning novel.

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