Saltwater Trees

Lori A. Dunn is an ESL teacher and editor of the Toronto women’s
magazine Feminie.

Saltwater Trees is an intriguing title for an intriguing collection of
short stories. Every page thrills with vivid sensual imagery, as
Robinson writes for the eyes, ears, nose, and skin of her audience. She
has drawn big sensual windows through which to eavesdrop on the lives
and heads of some extraordinary, ordinary people.

Robinson touches on the most unfathomable of human emotions and driving
forces in all her stories. The most powerful story, “Amy,” starts
the collection; the mind-voice of its title character draws the reader
into her healing process. In “Just Like a Movie,” Robinson captures
the contrast between a loving and an abusing relationship. In such
stories as “Irma and Floyd” and “Patmos,” she examines the
different degrees/intensities of love through her characters. And in
“Highway Star,” she catches the carefree spirit of a high-school boy
and what motivates him.

Saltwater Trees is essential reading on human dignity, through one
woman’s eyes and pen.