The Drowned Forest

Author

Reisz grew up in Decatur, AL, United States. He became interested in writing during high school. In college, he reported for the Student newspaper and edited the literary magazine, later recalling, “I set out to learn anything anyone could possibly teach me about being a writer.” Reisz worked as a paramedic and in a psychiatric hospital. He currently lives beside a slow-moving river.

Summary

Best friends Jane and Holly have jumped into the river below Swallow’s Nest Bluff hundreds of times. But one day, Holly’s jump goes wrong. Her body never comes up. She drowned in the river. Jane thought Holly already dead. At the Rivercall a catfish appeared carrying Holly’s ring and gave it to Jane. Tyler, Holly’s boyfriend examined the ring. It reads, HELP. Jane started to think Holly still alive, somewhere. Pastor Wesley seem to know something about the ring but he kept quiet. Jane and Tyler went looking for Holly.

They search at the Swallow’s Nest Bluff with Mr. Alton. Tyler plays “The drowned forest” song hoping Holly will hear it, yet something else does- a sad creature of mud, full of confusion and sorrow. It’s Holly, somehow, her soul trapped and mixed up with the river. The creature killed Mr. Alton and chased after Jane and Tyler. They ran away but the creature kept hunting them. With the help of Auntie Peake, a root-worker they discovered how to set Holly’s soul free.

Once again, Jane and Tyler face the creature. The magic circle work, but the prayer Jane blessed to the creature didn’t work. At last, Jane know how to set Holly’s soul free. Through music. Jane gave the creature Holly’s old guitar and ask Holly, the soul inside it to feel the mojo of the guitar. Tyler came to help Jane. They played “Down by the Riverside” song. They did it Finally, Holly’s soul were set free from the drowned forest.

1) How much does the book agree/clash with your view of the world, and consider right and wrong?

Point of view

Judges people or person around using religion as a basis.

 1. I disagree with the statement.
 2. We should not judges people base on their religion.
 3. This kind of view is wrong.

“You want to know why I haven’t been going to
church? Because I never got anything out of it, okay? Not really. I liked spending time with Holly”. Pg 60 line 23

Tyler didn’t like to spend time at church. When Tyler ‘rejects’ religion, Jane doesn’t believe him and in her mind goes on and on about time he was saved.

“But it doesn’t matter, Holly. I offer my pain up to you, a sign of my devotion.” Pg 152 line 6.

Holly is a religious girl like Jane. They spend most of their childhood at the church. Then, Holly became Jane best friend because she think Holly is a good person. Even when Holly already dead, she still admired her.

2) How were your views and opinions challenged / changed by this text, if at all?

1. I feel challenged by the text.
2. We should not judge people base on religion as basis.
3. As a human, we have our own faith and religion.
4. This could lead into religious war likes the Crusade War.
 “Just so you know, I hated girls like you when I was in high school”. Pg 157 line 19.

3) How well does the book address things that you, personally, care about and consider important to the world?

I personally care about our religious faith.

“I kneel down, resting my elbows on the seat of my desk chair. Holy God, in Jesus’s name, I pray. Help us. Give me some sign. I don’t know how or why any of this is happening, but I know that You are good and infinitely merciful. I know that You will never abandon us . . .” Pg 35 line 17.

 “Dear Lord in Heaven, please help Holly. Please give us the strength to face whatever we must face.” Pg 83 line 5.

-Pray and asking help from God when we face problem.

“I throw the Bible. It hits the wall, falling splayed like a dead swallow. The violence feels good” Pg 41 line 10

-Didn’t respect with our own religion

 “God stole my best friend, then left me in the darkness” pg 39 line 18

-Keep blaming the God for happen to us.

-You cannot challenged God .

“Right hand to God. Banned in all those Islamic countries’ cause women kept ripping off their burkas and going nuts.” Pg 129 line 25

-This is an offensive statement for the Muslims reader.
-Saying  things like that will not win you any points.   
-An immature statement

I care about friendship and love.

“But I won’t be afraid, Holly. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear” Pg 78 line 18.

-Jane really love her best friend, Holly.
-She really care about her.
-It is important to us to care about our friend.

4) Critique the book

1. Too much religious aspect.
2. No romance. “Aww… I will never forget about you. Ever, ever.” Wrapping your arms around his neck, you kissed him twice, quick little pecks. Pg 80

3. The ‘horror’ part of this book is too short
4. The story is a mess up and not connected with each chapter.

5. What’s up with the parent in this book?
6. Too much flashbacks.
7. The thrilling parts are so good and excited.
8. This book could have done better. This book had some real potential.

5) What is my overall reaction to the text?

Are you care about your own religion? Do you like shoving your religious opinions down someone’s throat?
If that probably sound like you, then you will enjoy this book.

If those thing sound sensitive to you,
I don’t recommended the you to read this book.
This book is publicized all wrong.

For me, I feel annoy and anger because this book jab the other religion/culture.