Val / Orson

This slender, poetic novel tells the story of Valentine, a boy born in the woods, looking for his lost twin who was stolen away while his mother was in labor. Valentine has named his lost brother Orson and refers to the California woods where he lives as Illyria. The woods are a romantic landscape where flora and fauna have an enchanting presence, and where Val retreats to hidden pools and waterfalls to think through his problems. His mother, Bella, fittingly believes she has fairy ancestors. The setting is the struggle between environmental activists, tree sitters trying to save the redwoods, and logging companies who want to cut down the ancient trees. The novel recalls Shakespeare and Greek myths. Highly recommend.