The Man Who Planted Trees

Bol

► With the Oghamic symbols of the Celtic alphabet of trees used by the Druids ► Full and faithful translation of the original text ► With more than 60 illustrations New unabridged illustrated edition with more than 60 illustrations and the Celtic alphabet of trees, the Ogham. The Man Who Planted Trees is the story of a shepherd (later a beekeeper) who, with constant effort, manages to single-handedly reforest an arid valley at the foot of the Alps (near Provence, close to the village of Vergons) in the first half of the 20th century. The story begins in 1913, when the young narrator undertakes a hike on the Provençal slopes of the Alps. A deserted, treeless valley where only wild lavender grows. Running out of water, the boy meets a shepherd with his flock of sheep, who offers him water from his canteen. The man lives alone, isolated from the rest of the world and spends his days planting trees. The two become friends and the protagonist returns to visit him regularly for the rest of his life. The story is so touching that many readers believed that the protagonist Elzéard Bouffier was a real-life character and that the narrator was Jean Giono himself, and that the story was therefore partly autobiographical. A similar case that really happened is that of Ambroz Haračić who, as a pensioner, planted all the maritime pines on the island of Lošinj in the rocks, transforming it into the tourist resort it is today. His grateful fellow citizens dedicated a statue to him, which is now placed in the Cikat Bay. The story conveys many messages: ecological, humanistic, political. The story of Elzéard Bouffier is indeed considered in ecological literature as a parable of the positive action of man in his natural environment and of all the harmony that can result from it. The story is also an ode to work, perseverance, patience, humility and rurality. The Man Who Planted Trees is now recognised as a major work of children's and young people's literature, and as such is studied in class. The work has been included in the list recommended by the French Ministry of Education for cycle 3 (children aged 8) since 2002.

Bol Partner

Jean Giono's beautiful allegorical tale is legendary. Written in the 1950's, its message was ahead of its time, inspiring readers to rediscoverthe harmonies of the countryside and prevent its willful destruction. The narrator, journeying by foot across the barren plains of the lower Alps, has his thirst assuaged by the well water drawn by the shepherd Elzeaerd Bouffier. Here begins the subtle parable which Giono weaves of the life-giving shepherd who chooses to live alone and carry out the work of God. Over forty years the desolate hills and lifeless villages which sooppressed the traveler are transformed by the dedication of one man. All with the help of a few acorns. Giono's hope was to set in motion a worldwide reforestation program that would rejuvenate the earth. The Man Who Planted Trees is a hymn to creation and a purveyor of confidence in man's ability to change his-indeed the world's-lot. Review Citations: Ingram Advance 05/01/2005 pg. 77 (ISBN 1931498725, Hardcover)

Amazon

Pagina's: 72, Editie: Anniversary, Paperback, CHELSEA GREEN PUB