book data
210 ratings, 4.46 average rating, 25 reviews
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published
March 21st 1995
by Putnam Juvenile
binding
Hardcover, 32 pages
setting
Unknown
isbn
0399224483
(isbn13: 9780399224485)
description
Gallagher's eerily stylized paintings lend a haunting resonance to this moralistic tale of a hardened man who learns to open his heart. When the curmu...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 270)
Read in December, 2008
Al vele keren gelezen, vandaag nog maar eens. Zo mooi.
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Read in January, 1983
recommends it for:
every child of God
It's good that this title appears at the top of my list--"The Selfish Giant" has long been one of my favorite stories. I remember listening to my mother read it as we sat on our front porch on a lazy California afternoon. Just as she did, I also cry when I read this touching story to my children.
There are few books outside the canon of scripture that I would count as spiritually powerful and fully illustrative of the love of God as this short story. Take the time today to read it t...more
There are few books outside the canon of scripture that I would count as spiritually powerful and fully illustrative of the love of God as this short story. Take the time today to read it t...more
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recommends it for:
children or tender hearted Christians
I read this lovely little book as a child. It is beautifully illustrated in a way that seems to me to have a slightly oriental cast, reminiscent of Hokusai's paintings, though perhaps it is only the blossoms that does that for me. The story is a tender little Christian parable about the virtue of kindness and the loneliness of cruelty and selfishness. I think it can also be read as an early argument for public parks. Beautiful story that brings tears to my eyes even now.
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I first saw this story animated on TV and never new the name of it. When I finally saw it again many years later I went out to look for the book.
This is the version I found and personally think it has the best illustrations of all the others I have seen as well as contains a touching and beautiful lesson.
What surprised me more was that Oscar Wilde wrote it.
This is the version I found and personally think it has the best illustrations of all the others I have seen as well as contains a touching and beautiful lesson.
What surprised me more was that Oscar Wilde wrote it.
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I had a copy of this book (that is long gone now) and I read this book as a child many times. I very rarely finished the book as I knew what would happen at the end. It made me sad as a child, on most occasions I left the last couple of pages out.
Despite this, the book still captivated me and is now resultanly my favourite childhood book.
Despite this, the book still captivated me and is now resultanly my favourite childhood book.
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Read in January, 2000
One of my all-time favorite fairy tales--still don't get how tales like this mesh with Wilde's real life depravity. This particular edition is well illustrated and makes a great read. Actually, on second thought--this tale meshes well with Dorian Gray's "repentance" near the end of the book. Hmmm.... I'll have to think about this.
The illustrations in this book are timelessly captivating. I read this book as a child and I read this to my children now. The truth that love is the only thing worth having and sharing is found in the story of a giant who discovers this himself, and how the wounds in the hands of a boy heal his giant heart.
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I never knew that he wrote this. It reminds me of kids not being allowed to skateboard in the city and being banished to shitty lonely dangerous skateparks in the suburbs, but the kids add to the cities colour and make it more lively.
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The most beautiful book in the world.
I love the illustrated version especially, the pictures are fabulous and sad.
Oscar Wilde uses wonderful religious imagery, of the child with the wounded hands and feet.
Magnificent.
I love the illustrated version especially, the pictures are fabulous and sad.
Oscar Wilde uses wonderful religious imagery, of the child with the wounded hands and feet.
Magnificent.
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Read in January, 1991
recommends it for:
everyone
This is a beautifully told story - a parable of the scripture "...inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me..." Illustrating sacrifice and love.
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Ok, I now I already specified which are my top three favorite books but this one trumps them all. This is the best story and it has made me cry a couple times. Please read it.
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Read in January, 1984
One of my favorite childhood stories about a giant who realizes that hording his garden brings him no joy, but sharing it expands its beauty and his enjoyment.
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4 comments
This is one of my kids' favorites. And I just like the fact that its by Oscar Wilde. Anything written by an "Oscar" has to be good...
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I remember my mom reading this to me when I was little, and then reading it again myself. It's a lovely, uplifting book.
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Read in January, 2004
This is a fantastic story.
The only problem is that I start bawling when I read it to my kids.
The only problem is that I start bawling when I read it to my kids.
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I need to reread this one. It has been too long. I remember it was beautiful, poignant, and I cried.
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Read in October, 2008
recommends it for:
anyone
More of a short story really. But absolutely beautiful-none the less.
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Wilde's fairy tale masterpiece..Check out who our hero is in the end! ;o)
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4 comments
It shows the pure love of Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.
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