Tana French's The Witch Elm has been praised for its atmospheric writing and complex characters, especially the morally ambiguous protagonist. Critics appreciate the novel's exploration of identity and memory. However, some find its pacing slow and the plot twists predictable. Overall, it is a compelling read for fans of literary thrillers.

Readers who delight in psychological thrillers imbued with rich character development and atmospheric suspense will relish Tana French's The Witch Elm. Fans of Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Donna Tartt's The Secret History may find themselves captivated by French's intricate plotting and exploration of identity, memory, and morality.

The Witch Elm by Tana French is a psychological crime thriller that follows Toby Hennessy, who, after surviving a brutal assault that leaves him with PTSD and memory loss, moves to his family's ancestral home to recuperate. There, he discovers a human skull in a wych elm, unearthing dark family secrets and confronting issues of privilege and identity as he delves into his past to uncover the truth about the murder and its connection to his own assault. Death by suicide, sexual assault, and the effects of PTSD appear in the book.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Melancholic

Tana French

Adult

Novel

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Witch Elm and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Witch Elm Summary

Background

The Witch Elm Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

The Witch Elm Chapters 1-2 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 3-4

The Witch Elm Chapters 3-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-7

The Witch Elm Chapters 5-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-10

The Witch Elm Chapters 8-10 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 11-13

The Witch Elm Chapters 11-13 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Witch Elm Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Witch Elm Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Witch Elm Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Witch Elm Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Witch Elm Essay Topics

The Witch Elm

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Witch Elm?

Reading Age

Book Details