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4.29 AVERAGE
4.29 AVERAGE
sooo good. and sad. don't take people for granted, that's for sure. and tree, don't get taken advantage of.
I cannot express how much I dislike this book. So many people think it is a sweet story, but I find it completely depressing. No one should give away all of him or herself just because he/she loves someone. When this happens, it's not sweet, but sad.
The Giving Tree - in Latin! How much more fun does it get?
I love this book. It’s one of those rare gems that can be read in a few minutes but stays with you for a lifetime. Silverstein’s simple yet profound storytelling is like a masterclass in minimalism. The narrative is straightforward, almost deceptively so, but beneath its surface lies a complex web of themes and emotions.
At its core, “The Giving Tree” is a horrifying condemnation of dysfunctional, unrequited co-dependence. The relationship between the boy and the tree is, to put it mildly, problematic. The tree gives and gives, while the boy takes and takes, never once pausing to consider the cost of his actions. It’s a bleak and honest portrayal of a one-sided relationship, where one party’s selflessness is met with the other’s relentless demands.
It’s a powerful reminder of the beauty and pain of unconditional love. The tree’s sacrifices are immense, yet it never hesitates to give everything it has for the boy’s happiness. It’s a poignant reflection on the nature of love and sacrifice, and it leaves you questioning the true meaning of selflessness.
As the boy takes more, the tree is left with less. This is where the consequences of selfless love start to show. The tree’s sacrifices are immense, and while it may seem noble, it’s also a bit tragic. The tree’s unwavering generosity leads to its own depletion. It’s a stark reminder that selfless love, while beautiful, can also be incredibly draining.
The boy, on the other hand, seems oblivious to the tree’s sacrifices. He takes what he needs and moves on, never pausing to consider the impact of his actions. This one-sided relationship highlights the darker side of selfless love – the potential for exploitation and neglect. The tree’s love is so unconditional that it allows itself to be taken advantage of, which is a sobering thought.
Silverstein’s illustrations are another highlight. They are simple, almost childlike, yet they perfectly capture the essence of the story. The sparse use of colour and the minimalist style add to the book’s haunting beauty. Each illustration is a visual representation of the tree’s gradual depletion, mirroring the emotional toll of its sacrifices.
Now, let’s talk about the ending. It’s as bleak as it gets. The boy, now an old man, returns to the tree, which is now just a stump. The tree, despite being reduced to almost nothing, still offers the boy a place to rest. It’s a gut-wrenching conclusion that leaves you with a heavy heart. Yet, it’s also a testament to the tree’s enduring love and generosity.
In conclusion, “The Giving Tree” is a masterful blend of simplicity and depth. It’s a book that can be interpreted in myriad ways, each reading offering a new perspective. It’s a horrifying condemnation of dysfunctional, unrequited co-dependence, an exhortation toward selfless love, and a bleak and honest portrayal of the complexities of human relationships. It’s a book that stays with you, haunting and inspiring you in equal measure. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favour and dive into this timeless classic.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
At its core, “The Giving Tree” is a horrifying condemnation of dysfunctional, unrequited co-dependence. The relationship between the boy and the tree is, to put it mildly, problematic. The tree gives and gives, while the boy takes and takes, never once pausing to consider the cost of his actions. It’s a bleak and honest portrayal of a one-sided relationship, where one party’s selflessness is met with the other’s relentless demands.
It’s a powerful reminder of the beauty and pain of unconditional love. The tree’s sacrifices are immense, yet it never hesitates to give everything it has for the boy’s happiness. It’s a poignant reflection on the nature of love and sacrifice, and it leaves you questioning the true meaning of selflessness.
As the boy takes more, the tree is left with less. This is where the consequences of selfless love start to show. The tree’s sacrifices are immense, and while it may seem noble, it’s also a bit tragic. The tree’s unwavering generosity leads to its own depletion. It’s a stark reminder that selfless love, while beautiful, can also be incredibly draining.
The boy, on the other hand, seems oblivious to the tree’s sacrifices. He takes what he needs and moves on, never pausing to consider the impact of his actions. This one-sided relationship highlights the darker side of selfless love – the potential for exploitation and neglect. The tree’s love is so unconditional that it allows itself to be taken advantage of, which is a sobering thought.
Silverstein’s illustrations are another highlight. They are simple, almost childlike, yet they perfectly capture the essence of the story. The sparse use of colour and the minimalist style add to the book’s haunting beauty. Each illustration is a visual representation of the tree’s gradual depletion, mirroring the emotional toll of its sacrifices.
Now, let’s talk about the ending. It’s as bleak as it gets. The boy, now an old man, returns to the tree, which is now just a stump. The tree, despite being reduced to almost nothing, still offers the boy a place to rest. It’s a gut-wrenching conclusion that leaves you with a heavy heart. Yet, it’s also a testament to the tree’s enduring love and generosity.
In conclusion, “The Giving Tree” is a masterful blend of simplicity and depth. It’s a book that can be interpreted in myriad ways, each reading offering a new perspective. It’s a horrifying condemnation of dysfunctional, unrequited co-dependence, an exhortation toward selfless love, and a bleak and honest portrayal of the complexities of human relationships. It’s a book that stays with you, haunting and inspiring you in equal measure. If you haven’t read it yet, do yourself a favour and dive into this timeless classic.
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Nope.
All. Of. The. Nopes.
I read this book to my kids with quite a few long pauses on each page so I could keep myself from giving a lecture about why that page was stupid.
This book is basically about a parental figure allowing the child to strip them of every last thing they are as they grow until the child is old and basically dead.
Everyone else in the world who reads this acts as if the parental figure was so sweet to take care of the child, but doesn't acknowledge the way that brat just kept cutting away and taking things without any care for the one giving so freely and how much irreprepable damage was being done. I totally would've branch slapped that kid after like the second request.
"Please" and "thank you" are magic words and that kid had human effing parents or needed a social worker and foster humans so he wouldn't come back in 80 years and ask to make an effing boat out of a tree if it meant killing someone he loved after all those years! This kid is derranged!!
So maybe this book is actually about a guy who slowly slices and chops up his parent by making them think it's their idea when he asks for favors and items only available through the use of this parent's body parts. The child thinks this will be an easy kill, not being an arborist, but over the course of his 80 year life he finds that he must eventually smother a tree stump with his saggy, mentholated muscle rub smelling arse if he wants to take everything the his sole has left. This thriller is both frustrating and boring. You'll want to skip the biggest children's classical horror story of all time!! -10 stars out of 5!!
All. Of. The. Nopes.
I read this book to my kids with quite a few long pauses on each page so I could keep myself from giving a lecture about why that page was stupid.
This book is basically about a parental figure allowing the child to strip them of every last thing they are as they grow until the child is old and basically dead.
Everyone else in the world who reads this acts as if the parental figure was so sweet to take care of the child, but doesn't acknowledge the way that brat just kept cutting away and taking things without any care for the one giving so freely and how much irreprepable damage was being done. I totally would've branch slapped that kid after like the second request.
"Please" and "thank you" are magic words and that kid had human effing parents or needed a social worker and foster humans so he wouldn't come back in 80 years and ask to make an effing boat out of a tree if it meant killing someone he loved after all those years! This kid is derranged!!
So maybe this book is actually about a guy who slowly slices and chops up his parent by making them think it's their idea when he asks for favors and items only available through the use of this parent's body parts. The child thinks this will be an easy kill, not being an arborist, but over the course of his 80 year life he finds that he must eventually smother a tree stump with his saggy, mentholated muscle rub smelling arse if he wants to take everything the his sole has left. This thriller is both frustrating and boring. You'll want to skip the biggest children's classical horror story of all time!! -10 stars out of 5!!
I have loved this book my entire life. And it doesn't lose its impact even after decades.
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have complicated feelings about this book and what its meaning is. On the one hand, it seems to represent a maternal or paternal generosity and unconditional love but upon closer scrutiny, it looks like a tragic story of the tree teaching the child to take and take never consider the impact on her. The child learns that he is entitled to abuse the tree, that it belongs to him and its needs are irrelevant. And the tree self-sacrifices until she has nothing left, settling for companionship in the briefest moments at the end of the boy’s life.
This is one of the first books that I gave my daughter (who is now 10 months old). I remember really being moved by it when I was younger though I honestly couldn't remember a lot about it. The first time that I read it to her, I cried (and I rarely ever cry, especially not from a form of media). It made me think a lot about the world and specifically the world into which I just brought my daughter. It is a very succinctly powerful book.