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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
inspiring
relaxing
slow-paced
In this reflective memoir the author talks about finding contentment in building a cabin near the woods and living off the land.
slow-paced
slow-paced
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Walden was actually better than I had expected. Extremely quotable throughout.
Despite a few ranty parts, I very much enjoyed finally reading Thoreau for #NonfictionNovember. His descriptions of the natural world, the changing seasons, and simple living were beautiful and moving. Read my full review:
https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2022/11/nonfiction-review-walden.html
https://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2022/11/nonfiction-review-walden.html
So here's the rub.
I was very excited to read this book, and 2-4 chapters in I was at a SOLID 5 stars.
BUT, the meandering style in which he writes, coupled with the transcendentalist view in which he describes the world in his later chapters is exhausting.
I am so nonplussed about his staunch devotion to enriching ones soul in the wild and casting away the frivolities of life; only then to write 10+ chapters about how amazing it is for him, as you read from the comforts of your home?
I feel this would have been SO much more successful for me if someone had whispered "model the simplicity and austereness you claim to be living in your style of writing as well.” Do I want it to be an outline? No. But it does feel (dialectically) like someone writing about the illustrious career and experiences of Winston Churchill on a Post-It Note.
Practice what you preach, or you may lose parishioners in the process. #alliteration4life
I was very excited to read this book, and 2-4 chapters in I was at a SOLID 5 stars.
BUT, the meandering style in which he writes, coupled with the transcendentalist view in which he describes the world in his later chapters is exhausting.
I am so nonplussed about his staunch devotion to enriching ones soul in the wild and casting away the frivolities of life; only then to write 10+ chapters about how amazing it is for him, as you read from the comforts of your home?
I feel this would have been SO much more successful for me if someone had whispered "model the simplicity and austereness you claim to be living in your style of writing as well.” Do I want it to be an outline? No. But it does feel (dialectically) like someone writing about the illustrious career and experiences of Winston Churchill on a Post-It Note.
Practice what you preach, or you may lose parishioners in the process. #alliteration4life
Read this along with Nature by Emerson for a class. I enjoyed this much more. The language is rich and vivid, and the opinions feel less evangelist than Emerson. Valuable academically and enjoyable casually, if dense.
It is really hard to rate this book! I didn't love his rants and his arrogant tone but there are definitely some great nuggets in there to ponder. There were many times when I was ready to be done with it, but then other times when I was fully engaged and even when I didn't agree with all the thoughts, it did make me think. I was also also a little bored with the second half of the book where he spends a lot more time describing things in detail. Overall, I would give it a higher rating as a recommended reading because there is some great wisdom and thought in there and it made for an amazing discussion at book club, but as far as my enjoyment I had to rate it lower even though I'm still glad I read it!