The Judas Tree

The Judas Tree

infobox Book |
name = The Judas Tree


author = A. J. Cronin
cover_artist =
country = UK
language = English
genre = Novel
publisher = Gollancz UK
Little, Brown USA
release_date = 1961
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 345 pp. (UK hardback edition)
isbn = 0-450-01393-6 (UK hardback edition)

"The Judas Tree" is a 1961 novel by A. J. Cronin. It tells the story of David Moray, a wealthy, retired Scottish doctor living in Switzerland, who is haunted by the memory of Mary Cameron, a woman he loved and wronged in his youth. He returns home to seek her out and make amends, but learns that she has died. Instead, he encounters her young, penniless daughter, Kathy, and indulges in a friendship that turns into more. Ultimately he again, not believing he can have a life with her, he chooses a countess whom is more of a friend to marry. The betrayal to young Kathy upsets her to his surprise and has terrible consequences. In the end, overwhelmed with guilt from a lifetime twisted by selfishness, lust, and treachery, David looks out toward the Judas tree - an unhappy ending is implied. Previously in the book, a Judas tree was discussed and referred to as "The Tree of Lost Souls." Some might assume David has realized at the end that he is a lost soul after having caused such sadness due to his lack of character.

Film Versions

The 1975 Bollywood film, "Mausam", directed by Gulzar and starring Sharmila Tagore and Sanjeev Kumar, is loosely based on Cronin's novel.

External links

* [http://litmed.med.nyu.edu/Annotation?action=view&annid=11902 Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database]


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  • Judas tree — Judas Ju das, n. The disciple who betrayed Christ. Hence: A treacherous person; one who betrays under the semblance of friendship. a. Treacherous; betraying. [1913 Webster] {Judas hole}, a peephole or secret opening for spying. {Judas kiss}, (a)… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Judas tree — n. [from the legend that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on one] CERCIS …   English World dictionary

  • Judas tree — Ju′das tree n. 1) pln a purple flowered Eurasian tree, Cercis siliquastrum, of the legume family, supposed to be the kind of tree upon which Judas hanged himself 2) pln any of various other trees of the same genus, as the redbud • Etymology:… …   From formal English to slang

  • Judas tree — /ˈdʒudəs tri/ (say joohduhs tree) noun 1. a purple flowered leguminous European and Asian tree, Cercis siliquastrum. 2. any of various other trees of the same genus, as the redbud. {from the popular belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself on a… …  

  • judas tree — n. redbud, tree that is native to North America and Eurasia and blossoms with pink bud like flowers before the rounded leaves appear in the spring (believed to be the type of tree opon which Judas Iscariot hanged himself) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Judas tree — 1. a purple flowered Eurasian tree, Cercis siliquastrum, of the legume family, supposed to be the kind upon which Judas hanged himself. 2. any of various other trees of the same genus, as the redbud. [1660 70] * * * …   Universalium

  • Judas tree — noun Etymology: from the belief that Judas Iscariot hanged himself from a tree of this kind Date: 1668 any of a genus (Cercis) of leguminous trees and shrubs (as a redbud) often cultivated for their showy flowers; especially a Eurasian tree or… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Judas tree — noun small tree of the eastern Mediterranean having abundant purplish red flowers growing on old wood directly from stems and appearing before the leaves: widely cultivated in mild regions; wood valuable for veneers • Syn: ↑love tree, ↑Circis… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Judas tree — noun a Mediterranean tree of the pea family, with purple flowers that appear before the rounded leaves. [Cercis siliquastrum.] …   English new terms dictionary

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