In a rich and multi-layered debut novel, Tree of Dreams, Peter Barbieri extends New American Realism into the spiritual and fantastical realms. As the poet Eli Siegel says, "There are millions of men in the world, and each is one man, each is one man by himself, taking care of himself all the time, and changing other men and being changed by them . . ." Such is Barbieri's conflicted character, ROGER SPELLING.

In a quest as old as war itself, Roger returns from military service profoundly affected by what he has experienced. He is not well. He acknowledges his deteriorating mental...