Synopsis

In the middle of the wood is a little fir tree who thinks of one thing only – growing bigger. He takes no pleasure from life because he always thinks about how he is not as big as the other fir trees. So, when the little fir tree finally grows up, Christmas approaches and his destiny is turned upside down.

My Review

The Fir Tree by Hans Christian Andersen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My this book was depressing. I don’t remember feeling this way reading it as a child. I read it in response to Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin mention in her book, wanted to read the full version for Life’s Library Readathon, 2021 Forest shelf prompt: fairytale, or retelling of a fairytale. I also enjoy reading Christmas in July, though this one is not so heartwarming in the celebratory sense.

I’d recommend it to anyone, it commemorates the beauty in life while also illustrating the futility of life. The theme of the adage, life is short. Being grateful. Seizing life’s opportunities and everything it has to offer, even when you can’t wait to move onto the next stage in life.

The Story
Not sure what else to say, it’s powerful. Still thinking about it.

The Writing
Such a wonderful timeline of events, so much packed into about 36 pages, and no sentence is overdone, no adjective, or noun is wasted. The style is straightforward, but each chosen description is so rich in meaning.

I will have to reread more of the collection of fairy tales.

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Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin