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The Man Who Planted Trees

A novel from the Vintage Earth collection
Series: Vintage Earth
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( 19,112 ratings, 2,257 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono is a timeless fable about a shepherd named Elzéard Bouffier, who devotes his life to planting trees in a desolate valley in the French Alps. Through his unwavering dedication, the area transforms from a barren landscape into a lush, thriving forest, demonstrating the profound impact one individual's commitment can have on the world. This story beautifully illustrates themes of perseverance and hope.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate stories of hope and transformation through the dedication of a single, determined individual. It offers a deeply touching portrayal of one man's quest to rejuvenate a barren landscape, showcasing the immense power of perseverance and care for nature. If you're drawn to tales that blend environmental themes with philosophical insights, this book may appeal to you.

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A solitary man plants a forest over many years, rejuvenating a barren wasteland.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

VINTAGE EARTH - A series of transformative novels with the environment at their heart.

The Man Who Planted Trees

'And so, with great care, he planted his hundred acorns.'

While hiking through the wild lavender in a wind-swept, desolate valley in Provence, a man comes across a solitary shepherd called Elzeard Bouffier. Staying with him, he watches Elzeard sorting and then planting hundreds of acorns as he walks through the wilderness.

Ten years later, after surviving the First World War, he visits the shepherd again. A young forest is slowly spreading over the valley - Elzeard has continued his work. Year after year, the narrator returns to see the miracle being created - a verdant, green landscape that is a testament to one man's creative instinct.

'I love the humanity of this story and how one man's efforts can change the future for so many' Michael Morpurgo, Independent

VINTAGE EARTH is a series of books that reveals our ever-changing relationship with the environment. These are stories old and young, set in worlds real or imagined, that allow us to explore our connection to the natural world. Transformative, wild, surprising, and essential, these novels take on the most urgent story of our times.

Series: Vintage Earth

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  • The Man Who Planted Trees
    VINTAGE EARTH - A series of transformative novels with the environment at their heart. The Man Who Planted Trees 'And so, with great care, he planted his hundred acorns.' While hiking through the wild lavender in a wind-swept, desolate valley in Provence, a man comes across a solitary shepherd called Elzeard Bouffier. Staying with him, he watches Elzeard sorting and...
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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono receives high praise from renowned literary figures. Andre Malraux considers him one of the greatest writers of his generation, while Jean d'Ormesson equates him with literary giants like Chateaubriand and Proust. Henry Miller highlights how Giono's work captures the "song of the world," resonating deeply with sensitive readers.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784878016

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 07 July 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Contributors:

  • Translated by Barbara Bray
  • Introduction by Richard Mabey
  • Illustrated by Harry Brockway
  • Translated by Barbara Bray

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 5.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 65g

Pages: 64

About the Author

Jean Giono (Author) Jean Giono was born in 1895 in Manosque, Provence, and lived there most of his life. He supported his family working as a bank clerk for eighteen years before his first two novels were published, thanks to the generosity of Andre Gide, to critical acclaim. He went on to write thirty novels, including The Horseman on the Roof, and numerous essays and stories. In 1953, the year in which he wrote The Man who Planted Trees, he was awarded the Prix Monegasque for his collective work. Jean Giono died in October 1970. Harry Brockway (Illustrator) Harry Brockway was born in 1958 and studied sculpture at Kingston Art School and at the Royal Academy, where he learned engraving. He makes a living as a stonemason as well as a wood engraver.

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