[GN] The Red Tree – Shaun Tan
March 16, 2010 § 16 Comments
I don’t really know how to talk about a book that has so little words, but such a powerful message. It could be that because there is only a handful of words on any given page that our eyes are so drawn to the images that Shaun Tan gives us. And what images there are. So powerful, so full of emotion. His illustrations are just so present, so there, it’s like you’re actually in the image itself.
I’m sure by now, some of the illustrations from this book are already quite known. Like this one:
And this one:
Both of which are so powerful, they just suck you into it. They are actually so precise, I think you’d have to actually look at the images in the book to get the real deal. The images are dark, gloomy. Shaun Tan goes right to the core of what it might feel like for someone who’s depressed and feeling at odds with the world. The illustrations may look abstract, but accompanied by those few words on the page, the image comes to life, it breathes its own meaning.
If I could, I’d take photos of the whole book and post them all here. But I can’t. And I won’t. The book is just too precious for you not to read it yourself. But I did take a couple of photos of the images that spoke most to me.
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If you’d much rather not know the ending, skip this paragraph.. Ana had recently posted her thoughts on this book, and in her post she mentioned there was a kind of debate on the ending. For a book that explores so deeply into depression, the ending might come off for some as being very lightweight, almost not taking it seriously enough. But I thought it ended beautifully. I think the last two images are very important and closely linked to each other. From my reading of the book, the ‘red tree’ is not really a huge tree that shines, like in the last image, but is that little leaf in the second last image. I think that with depression, sometimes a small bright shining thing as small as a grain of sand that tells you all is not lost is simply bright enough to light up the whole sky.
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Anyway, it’s a beautiful book, and I have to give thanks to both Ana, for the great review, and Mee, for insisting that I try out Shaun Tan. Next on my list is The Arrival.
Rating: 4.5
Shaun Tan’s work is exactly that – precious. Beautiful review, hun…if i wasn’t already a fan this sort of review would get me pumping to seek out his work.
x
Aimee
Thanks Aimee.
a;lfjasdfjk; The Arrival OWNS MY SOUL. And and I need to read this book. And everything by him. Damn the library and bookstore for carrying limited amount of his works.
Haha. Everyone seems to love The Arrival, so I’m really looking forward to it now. And yea, damn the world for not carrying enough of his work around. I think it’s only so readily available for me because I’m in NZ, which is technically speaking, Aussie’s ‘little brother’. Haha…
The Arrival OWNS MY SOUL too! 😀
I haven’t read this one but I just read the Rabbits. After your and Ana’s review I feel like running to the library, or anywhere where they stock this book and read it! Gosh I get too excited when people talk about Shaun Tan 😀
Don’t forget to also read Tales from Outer Suburbia after The Arrival 😉
I know you loved that book Mee. i’ve got it waiting for me on the shelves. I just want a few days before I go into another Shaun Tan created world.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts about The Rabbits. And I’ve done as I was told, I put a hold on Tales from Outer Suburbia. =)
I loved this book! The debate was between me, Chris from Stuff As Dreams Are Made On, and my husband Jason, from Moored At Sea. I posted a whole bunch of it in my review: http://zenleaf.blogspot.com/2010/01/2-books-by-shaun-tan.html
I loved The Arrival too!
Thanks for the link to your own review Amanda. I’ve left my comment there. That’s the great thing about book blogging: great discussions happen. =)
I love your thoughts on the ending, Michelle. You’re absolutely right – sometimes it’s a small flicker that saves us. I’m so glad you loved this as much as I did.
Thanks Ana. I loved your review of it, which was the final prompt I needed to go pick it up actually. Definitely looking forward to The Arrival now.
oh wow. i love those illustrations!
I know. The illustrations are just too beautiful.
I just read The Arrival; it’s excellent. I’m adding The Red Tree to my wishlist.
Thanks for dropping by. I’ve heard nothing but great great comments about The Arrival, so definitely going to be my next book. =)
This is one of my favourite picture books ever!! I found it in the school library when I was in year 12 and drowning in physics formulas and read this and felt instantly better. I think Shaun Tan is just a genius.
Elise
http://onceohmarvellousonce.blogspot.com/
Thanks for dropping by Elise. He is quite a genius, isn’t he?