A classic of European literature and perhaps one of the best known books in the world. It is right for this book to be valued. It is a short book yet very powerful and memorable. It is easy to read but its images stay with the reader for years - enabling them to think more deeply about the importance of love and kindness in our relationships.

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I don’t want to say much about the themes of this story: there have been several interpretations of this ‘extended allegory’ - but each reader has the right to understand the book for themselves. I want to point out merely that it is the story of a young man who collapses under the burden of his life and (or because) he does not receive enough warmth and love from his loved ones.

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It is a very worthwhile book to read in its own right. However, this book is also worth reading so as to become better educated about European literature. It is an important piece of literature as well as a good one. Many schools around the world will include this book in their curriculum for high school students. It is worth giving to young people to read if it is overlooked by their education.