A parable of war and the unthinkable atrocities that humanity perpetrates in a time of cataclysmic social change, The Hollow Tree is also a poingnant story of love, war, and human resilience. Description 'To be an unbending adherent in a world of stony realities,' Herbert had remarked, 'is to ask for trouble. Not because of ones allegiance, but because such an ally will be forced to conform or be squashed, trampled on or in the end annihilated by the crude laughter of fate.' The Hollow Tree is a tale of love and loyalty in a time of war. Sometimes love isn't convenient and loyalty doesn't always serve justice and, sadly, even young lovers cannot heal a torn-up world. Somewhere in this darkly disturbing fable a tiny spark of hope beckons life anew as the imaginary narrator mysteriously keeps on living.