Oh, the Places You'll Go!
| Oh, the Places You'll Go! | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Author(s) | Dr. Seuss |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Children's literature |
| Publisher | Random House |
| Publication date | January 22, 1990 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover and paperback) |
| ISBN | 0679805273 |
| OCLC Number | 20169007 |
| Dewey Decimal | [E] 20 |
| LC Classification | PZ8.3.G276 Og 1990 |
| Preceded by | I Am Not Going to Get Up Today! |
| Followed by | Daisy-Head Mayzie |
Oh, the Places You'll Go! (ISBN 978-0-679-80527-4) is a book written and illustrated by children's author Dr. Seuss. It was first published by Random House on January 22, 1990, making it his last book published before his death. The book concerns life and its challenges.
Though written in the style of classics such as Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in the Hat, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! has many specific characters including a narrator and the reader. A young boy, referred to simply as "you", initiates the action of the story. However, the presence of a main character helps readers to identify with the book. It is written in second person and uses future tense.
It is perhaps best known for the line, "Will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed. (98¾% guaranteed.)"
In the United States and Canada, Oh, the Places You'll Go! is a popular gift for students graduating from high school and college, spiking in sales every spring, selling up to 300,000 copies every year.[1]
[edit] Plot
The story begins with the narrator, relating the decision of the unnamed protagonist (who represents the reader) to leave town. The protagonist travels through several geometrical and polychromatic landscapes and places, eventually encountering a place simply called "The Waiting Place", which is ominously addressed as being a place where everyone is always waiting for something to happen. It is implied that time does not pass in the Waiting Place. As the protagonist continues to explore, spurred on by the thoughts of places he will visit and things he will discover, the book cheerfully concludes with an open ending.
[edit] Adaptations
In January 2012, Los Angeles-based photographer Tedshots posted a short film on YouTube titled "Oh, the Places You'll Go at Burning Man", based on the book. The video featuring a series of Burners reciting the entire story on camera, amidst the backdrop of the annual Burning Man festival at the Black Rock Desert, with the last recitation from Burning Man blogger John "Halcyon" Styn. The video later went viral on YouTube.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Jacqueline Blais, Carol Memmott, Bob Minzesheimer (2007-05-16). "Book buzz: Dave Barry really rocks". USA Today (USA Today). http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2007-05-16-book-buzz_N.htm. Retrieved 2012-01-17.
- ^ "'Oh The Places You'll Go At Burning Man' Brings Dr. Seuss To The Playa (VIDEO)". Huffington Post. January 9, 2012. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/09/oh-the-places-youll-go-at-burning-man_n_1194486.html.
