The Giving Tree

[prog]

Via jadelennox, I learn that The Giving Tree, one of my beloved books from childhood, has a great deal of controversy around it and is actually reviled by some children's literature scholars, herself included.

I find the controversy both surprising and interesting, but I think this is the first time I've seen a book I hold so dear (there are very few) get attacked like this. I put up a little defense for it in that thread, but seeing all the other commenters pour righteous scorn on it makes me feel queasy, as if all these people were rushing in to talk about how my Aunt Jan was actually a pirate who molested them as children or something. Bad news.

Comments

[jtroutman.livejournal.com]

I have this book, and I have read it to my kids on several occasions. The Boy and the Tree do seem to have a rather one-sided relationship (all giving by the Tree). There are many interesting takes on this story, as you have pointed out.

I do note when I have read it to my kids, I have asked them what they think and if the boy should have done anything different. My older son has said that the boy should have been more polite and done more for the tree.

I think the discussion of the various implications of the story are at least as interesting as the story itself.