"The Beach Trees" is a novel by Karen White, first published in 2011. The book tells the story of a young woman named Julie Holt, who travels to Biloxi, Mississippi, to search for answers about her family's past. While there, she discovers a connection to a long-lost friend of her mother's and a mysterious painting that may hold the key to unlocking the secrets of her family's history.
As Julie delves deeper into the past, she uncovers a tragic love story set against the backdrop of the Civil Rights era in the Deep South. She also finds herself falling in love with a local man, and must grapple with the complicated feelings that arise as she confronts the legacy of her family's past.
"The Beach Trees" is a moving and emotionally resonant novel that explores themes of love, loss, family, and the power of the past to shape the present. White's writing is vivid and evocative, transporting readers to the sultry and mysterious world of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The book is notable for its strong and complex female characters, as well as its nuanced exploration of the complicated and often painful legacy of Southern history.
Overall, "The Beach Trees" is a captivating and deeply affecting novel that will stay with readers long after the final page has been turned. It is a testament to White's talent as a writer and her ability to craft compelling and emotionally resonant stories that touch the heart and stir the soul.