The Man Who Planted Trees

I had to get this book as soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb, but as usual it has sat on my shelf for what feels like forever waiting for my mood to swing back to it.

Yesterday it did and I was so pleased it did, a short read but kept me engrossed from start to finish (along with the interesting story about its origin and life after writing).

Giono’s prose as translated by Bray is wonderful, full of heart and passion.

We enter the world of Elzéard Bouffier, a lone shepherd in the foothills of the Alps who day by day plants tree seeds and has a new world grow around him, literally. This growth brings back more than tree life, it bring back humans and hope in the valleys as the forests grow.

A lovely story about how one person can change things and that this can have such a positive impact on the world and those around them

I love these short books that come in to your life make a big impression and sit there at the back of your mind forever.

It has been made into a short film and if you want to watch it you can find it at YouTube.