The People in the Trees Summary
Hanya Yanagihara

The People in the Trees Overview

This novel is written, for the most part, in the form of a memoir by Nobel Prize-winning scientist Dr. Norton Perina. The narrative follows Perina’s journey into, and eventually out of, the jungles of an obscure island community. There he makes a series of important scientific discoveries that initially bring him notable success as a researcher. He also makes important discoveries about himself, which he brings back into his outside life and which, eventually, destroy that life. Throughout the book, the narrative explores themes relating to the contrasting values of science and human morality, humanity’s relationship with death, and how the search for connection and understanding can turn destructive.