The Red Tree

The Red Tree is a picture book written and illustrated by Shaun Tan. It presents a fragmented journey through a dark world, reflecting the main character's feelings of alienation, despondency, and loneliness.

The sparse text and detailed, surreal illustrations evoke emotional states, with a small red leaf symbolizing hope throughout the narrative.

The story culminates with the girl finding solace in a beautifully blossomed red tree in her bedroom, symbolizing her reward for enduring hardships.