The Giving Tree
Ratings371
Average rating4.2
There's not much to say about this that hasn't been said. It's full of love and some sadness and it's perfect.
It's a little sweet on the surface, but after I thought about it, whether you interpret the story literally or representing parent-child bonds, I feel it conveys a bad message of selfishness.
I like Shel's other stuff, but I find The Giving Tree about the saddest thing I have ever read. The boy comes off as an uncaring gold digger that takes until there is nothing left to give to him.
Through out the book I could see my little self in the boy. Only asking for more and more and more of someone who would never ask for anything in return. I can't help but empathise with both, the tree and the boy.
It's clear as day that the boy is being selfish and returning to the tree to serve his personal agenda. However, what's making the boy come back to gets over looked. This is how regular people operate even in this day and age. We all are a slave to roti, kapra and Makaan.
As a book that is an evoker of emotions, this is excellent. As a book that is a carrier of communication, it is not even good.
The relationship between the boy and the tree is deeply unhealthy. The revelation of how unhealthy it is comes along with much sadness, so the book does indicate that.
But then, the ending, and especially the last page, spoil everything. The whole point of the book seemed to be that one should not just take and take and take from love, and it even showed the tree to be unhappy at one point, supporting that.
But then the last page voids all consequence and destroys the message. Is it about unhealthy relationships? The love of a mother for her child? The human exploitation of nature? In no case is the message any good.
This was interesting and strangely sad. I feel like this could be interpreted a lot of different ways. Personally, though, I feel like it's just a commentary on society - i just think that most people have been both the tree and the boy at one time or another.... I mean i know i have. I kinda think this story could also be a lesson but idk how to put it into words
No. Just no.
Added 1/9-20
I saw the cover of this book, and was filled with rage once again, so I seriously dislike this book.
The boy was so damn selfish, self-centered, materialistic, whiny, demanding, entitled, manipulative, greedy, ungrateful a-hole, who didn't learn anything, and I can't see any reason to why the tree would love him. And I don't believe in self-sacrificing love. I don't believe we give our children the best possible start in life by obeying their smallest whims and treating them as little Caesars. Of course, children should be loved and “spoiled rotten”, but not like this. The boy reminds me of those a-holes, who live at home and terrorize their elderly parents and don't contribute in any positive way in anyone's life. And I can't stand the good but incredibly stupid tree dying to benefit the little piece of shit.
It's a great book to show to your friends on what may happen to them when they don't set boundaries.
Such a short & simple story, but the lesson lasts lifetime.
Heartbreaking. Heart aching.
Beautiful.
Moving.
Incredibly sad and poignant.
Deeply touching and so desperately true.
okay weno it's giving paulo coelo ft the oz como era lo de dr seuss... (LMAOOO ERA THE LORAX) so yeah the lorax ass book
entonc de tri dio y el boi ricifved so it's so bitifol