29 January 2010

THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES


Jean Giono's The Man Who Planted Trees is one of my absolute favorite books -- a gentle, allegorical story about a lone shepherd's effort to single-handedly re-forest a desolate valley in the foothills of the Alps near Provence, thoughout the first half of the 20th century. First published in 1953, the book's dual messages of renewal and the power of a single, determined individual are even more relevant in today's world of environmental degradation.

I first discovered this enchanting tale on television, as James Earl Jones narrated an animated version of the simple, inspiring life of the widowed shepherd, Elzeard Bouffier. I've been unable to locate a video of Jones' resonant narration, but did find a version voiced by Christopher Plummer. The half-hour story is broken up into three parts -- here are links to Part One, Part Two, and Part Three. Enjoy !!

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