There is a rather dark message in the Velveteen Rabbit and the Giving Tree, which is that there are beings that can be "used to death" in the name of love. If you replace these characters with real-life mothers, baby-sitters, nurses, home care aids, teachers and all the others who care for us and are underpaid and abused and burned out (sometimes literally to death), it's a bit less romantic and lovely. We need to recognize that the people who comfort and care for us are real people with needs of their own and deserve some reciprocity of consideration.
Sorry to rain on your lovely essay Linda. I've been thinking and writing a lot about violence and trauma lately, and I think it's gotten into my soul. Sometimes a nice fantasy book should just be read as intended. 👌
I'm always thankful when publishers stick with writers through 4 books that don't sell well to give them a chance at writing something that endures. I don't think we have a system like that anymore. Perhaps writers are just people who don't succumb to the pressure to quit.
I'm 61 years old.
Every time I think of this book, I start crying.
This is even better than outstanding.
There is a rather dark message in the Velveteen Rabbit and the Giving Tree, which is that there are beings that can be "used to death" in the name of love. If you replace these characters with real-life mothers, baby-sitters, nurses, home care aids, teachers and all the others who care for us and are underpaid and abused and burned out (sometimes literally to death), it's a bit less romantic and lovely. We need to recognize that the people who comfort and care for us are real people with needs of their own and deserve some reciprocity of consideration.
Sorry to rain on your lovely essay Linda. I've been thinking and writing a lot about violence and trauma lately, and I think it's gotten into my soul. Sometimes a nice fantasy book should just be read as intended. 👌
I love that book. Guaranteed tears with every reading.
How a book for children can totally decimate an adult. The simplicity is the proof of power in writing cleanly. Simply. Truthfully.
Beautiful. Another one for the list. 😊
The Velveteen Rabbit is perhaps the deepest story I've ever read.
it’s wonderful, how reading, music, nature, and art can create strong emotions, thank you for writing this.
I'm even older than Kiwiwriter47 - 68! And I cry thinking of the book, too. That, and The Little Prince
Can you see the tears rolling down my cheeks?
Trying to figure out what is real and what is not has been the story of my life since I was that boy's age.
I'm always thankful when publishers stick with writers through 4 books that don't sell well to give them a chance at writing something that endures. I don't think we have a system like that anymore. Perhaps writers are just people who don't succumb to the pressure to quit.
Poignant and true, but what a comforting ending for those of us dealing currently with anticipatory grief. Appreciated.
Our Dear Linda Caroll
Margery Williams ,God Bless Her soul
ONLY ( Love makes you real ),
What a touching real words.
That is why we like your writings bringing to us humanity childhood, adulthood experiences
so close to our hearts so real.
Thank you
GOD BLESS
Sam John
IRAQ