The story works on so many lines and all of them are realistic for example the husband and wife issue and then the property issue that has been in the family for ages. Now at the beginning some think that it is not fiction at all because the characters look so real and then all of a sudden we confront a ghost with a purpose of his own. It is the ghost in the story that is turning and twisting the things.
The ghost also stands as a symbol or protector of nature who is there to force the Riddell family to do what is right. Trevor Riddell the teenager never knew much about his family but when his parents started having issue between them he got the chance to return to his family’s old home.
On the verge of divorce Trevor’s father hopes to sell the old house that has been in the family for ages so that he along with his sister can get some money to furnish their lives. The plan is made but Trevor than senses the presence of the ghost who wants the family to fulfill the wish of Elijah.
Elijah was an ancestor who wanted to give the house to the forestland because the family did much harm to it. Thus the house could be the return of favor to the forest that has served the family by providing it the much needed timber for its business.
Garth Stein has thought of an amazing story that serves many purpose at the same time. The Art of Racing in the Rain and Raven Stole the Moon also had some fictional creatures involved but their purpose was not that big. Those stories were limited to people this one goes to establish its link with Mother Nature.
Seth Numrich has given a gem of a performance in narration and really none of the previous stories by Garth got so much attention by a narrator.
