The Distance Between Us and Cherry Tree, as Turkish original name is Kiraz Ağacı ve Aramızdaki Mesafe, is a children's and young adult novel written by Italian author Paola Peretti. The novel is based on Stargardt disease, which the author herself struggles with in real life. The book explores the internal and environmental transformations experienced by a visually impaired child through themes of love, hope, and acceptance. The novel stands out with its simple style and character depth, appealing to readers of all ages. The work, which addresses universal values such as disability, difference, imagination, and human relationships, also presents a coming-of-age story.
Plot
At the center of the novel is Mafalda, a 9-year-old visually impaired girl. Mafalda, who has a hereditary eye disease called Stargardt, knows that she will eventually lose her eyesight completely. While trying to cope with this reality, the cherry tree in the schoolyard becomes her refuge. When the moment comes that she loses her sight, she wants to wait exactly under that tree, knowing how far away it is.
As Mafalda's disease progresses, her circle of friends, school life, family, and inner world also undergo transformation. The narrative explores Mafalda's emotional breakdowns, efforts to accept, and her struggle to hold onto life with hope during this process of change. Throughout the story, what Mafalda learns about life forms the basis of her spiritual maturation.
Themes
Coping with Illness and Individual Strength
Mafalda's gradually dimming vision is interpreted in the novel not only as a physical problem but also as a person's effort to cope with life's uncertainties. The process of awareness and acceptance she experiences despite her young age is one of the main themes that deepen the work.
Difference and Empathy
By reflecting the world of an individual with a physical disability, the novel reveals the necessity of understanding differences and fostering empathy. While some characters around Mafalda show empathy towards her, others exhibit an exclusionary attitude; this demonstrates the impact of the social environment on an individual.
Childhood and Imagination
Mafalda's bond with the cherry tree is a symbol of the innocent imagination of childhood. This boundary between reality and imagination becomes a symbol of inner strength and psychological refuge in the novel.
Loss, Love, and Solidarity
While the loss of vision is treated as a kind of grieving process; parental love, friendships, and teacher figures stand out as mitigating factors for the impact of this loss. Particularly, the friendship she forms with Estella, the school janitor, constitutes one of the emotional cores of the novel.
Style
Paola Peretti prefers a simple and sincere language in her narration. Written in first-person narration, the novel directly reflects Mafalda's point of view. This technique allows the reader to more easily penetrate her world. Although the narrative language carries a childlike simplicity, it offers a layered structure in terms of thematic depth. From time to time, Mafalda's inner world is reflected through poetic sentences and internal monologues.
Characters
- Mafalda: The main character of the novel. She gradually loses her eyesight due to Stargardt disease. She stands out with her courage, imagination, and emotional depth.
- Estella: A mysterious and protective woman who works as a janitor at the school. She is a maternal figure who guides Mafalda.
- Filippo: Mafalda's school friend. Although he initially appears to be a bully, a trust-based friendship develops between them over time.
- Mother and Father: Mafalda's family tries to provide emotional and practical support during her vision loss process. The mother's anxiety and the father's introverted demeanor can be interpreted from different perspectives on parenting.
- Maestra Margherita: Mafalda's teacher. She is portrayed as a patient, understanding, and guiding figure.
