Singing with the trees quick book review · Sunday June 29, 2025 by colin newell
In his debut novella, artist and singer songwriter Rob Fillo invites us on a journey of self discovery, enlightenment and wisdom born of pain.
From the urban malaise of Richmond, British Columbia and the rising spectre of COVID globally, Rob has decided to flee the capitalist establishment and degradation of civilization, casting off the yokes of modernity and boiling down his belongings into the cramped comforts of his 2004 Nissan Sentra.
I took a deep breath and realized that I packed my 2004 Sentra to the gills with nearly everything I owned. I think part of me never wanted to come back to my condo…
In the summer of 2020, Rob Fillo, then 38 years old decided it was time to find out what he was made of – what measure of human man he was — and by what measure he would measure himself. This was, after all, the recesses of Vancouver Island, in all its pitiless and unforgiving and often impenetrable wilderness; from dense black forest, alpine mountains high to plunging rock crevices to a restless Pacific Ocean. And guarding these confines, cougars and marmots and bears (Oh my!)
I imagined I would have to fight a bear — or something — to earn my stripes. I awaited this challenge on my last night, alone in the misty darkness…
Equipped with a keen sense of empathy and the ability to, above and beyond all other things, listen, Rob was quickly initiated into the back-World of Island bush camping and co-existing with his co-escapees. His preternatural skills with the acoustic guitar and West Coast song writing won him quick accolades with groups small and large — quickly leading to headlining small town pub and bistro gigs.
There I was, under the stars, fire blazing, and this goddess of the forest decided to materialize and come sit with me.
At a reasonably lean 80 pages, Rob fills us with wonder within the realm of our surroundings, encouraging us to question our motives in the material World. After two easy breezy reads (yes, you can read this cover to cover in one 1.5 hour ferry ride between Island and mainland…) I felt like I had a brace of important questions for myself (and others) and wanted more. Here is hoping for another chapter in Rob’s life! The life and music of Rob Fillo can be found at his website RobFillo.com – and his books in many respectable bricks and mortar book shops as well as Amazon online.
Colin Newell is a Victoria resident and former authority on the subject of coffee, food and beverage culture… who likes to read and review great books…
As we approach September, some ideas...
