“The Man Who Planted Trees”

Jean Giono’s “The Man Who Planted Trees” is a wonderful tale of a hermit in Provence who takes upon himself the planting of oak trees in a barren, desolate landscape. The man lives in a clean little house, tending sheep (which he later gives up for bees); he had lost his family before the war (WWI). He knew that of the 100,000 acorns he planted, about a tenth would grow into trees and prosper. That is a given of life , an acceptable reality. It does not trouble him. The story is so measured, reflective, so full of empathy that it stands alone as a paradigm for life itself. The first English language printing is filled with clean and quiet woodcuts worthy of appreciation in themselves.
Brought to our attention by a friend of Hermitary. Also suggested is the half-hour animated film of the story, which our friend considers “the best and most accessible portrayal” of what a hermit is.