Reviews

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

gwend's review

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challenging dark funny informative inspiring slow-paced

4.0

Fascinating writing style! Made me more aware of my natural surroundings and I was already pretty aware. Philosophically challenging at times. Lots of great information. I need a break from the second half but plan. To keep this and return to it someday.

asililydying's review

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informative reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

joannchilada's review against another edition

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4.0

Annie Dillard herself says this is the book of a young woman, and that she has developed a great deal as a writer since Pilgrim was written in the early 70s. In that context, and of its time, I give this book four stars. It’s definitely a time capsule of both the author’s life and the world at the time it was written. And that said, if you told me Dillard was on hallucinogens while having the experiences she writes about and ALSO on hallucinogens while writing, I would be none surprised. Reading this book feels a bit like being on drugs (but for less money and with fewer side effects!). It’s a ride. Some parts I absolutely adored. Other parts I couldn’t stand. The whole thing took me much longer to read than my usual reading speed, I just had to slow down in order to absorb what Dillard was trying to say. Admittedly I didn’t always get it and chose to move on. Felt a bit like finishing a marathon- I imagine, I’m not a runner. Maybe like finishing a marathon on hallucinogens.

joshuaray's review against another edition

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4.0

Equal parts fascinating and discomforting. Dillard's account of life at Tinker Creek and meditations on the Creator and creation swirl together in a cocktail of curious canticles. I don't think I'll ever look at nature quite the same again.

ari_elle's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.5

kyliepro13's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful slow-paced

2.0

sylviatp's review against another edition

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informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

enigmadame's review against another edition

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So.Boring.  So.Aimless.  Not worth my time.

heathersparkman's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

willardk's review against another edition

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4.0

Reminded me of Walden, which was an insight that made me feel dumb after reading about that common comparison in the Afterword.

To be serious, this book was given to me by a very special mentor, and I'm glad to now have this to talk about with him.