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A review by zaydenblaze47
The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship