Everyone told me I should read the book. I like to think about and speak about philosophy. But this was not for me. I saw it as the ramblings of a guy who thinks the world of himself. He reminded me of a certain president of these days ….
Yes, he had the idea to live on his own with no support from anyone. But he met people all the time, didn't live far from civilization where he could get help if he needed it. And - he didn't just live of nothing. He had a house to live in, albeit a cabin that was small and had just the bare essentials, but many, many people had to live with less than that. And still have. Not exactly the heroism he likes to portray.
I thought maybe it would get better and I could learn something in the end. I didn't.
Book Description:
"Originally published in 1854, Walden; or, Life in the Woods, is a vivid account of the time that Henry D. Thoreau lived alone in a secluded cabin at Walden Pond. It is one of the most influential and compelling books in American literature. This new paperback edition-introduced by noted American writer John Updike-celebrates the 150th anniversary of this classic work. Much of Walden's material is derived from Thoreau's journals and contains such engaging pieces as 'Reading' and 'The Pond in the Winter'
Other famous sections involve Thoreau's visits with a Canadian woodcutter and with an Irish family, a trip to Concord, and a description of his bean field. This is the complete and authoritative text of Walden - as close to Thoreau's original intention as all available evidence allows. For the student and for the general reader, this is the ideal presentation of Thoreau's great document of social criticism and dissent."
Walden is a...interesting book, a mix of philosophy and mundane details. His essay on Civil Disobedience might be more interesting: he went to jail for refusing to pay a poll tax that would go to fund the Mexican war, which he viewed as imperialistic and serving the expansion of slavery. He's far, far more thoughtful and coherent than DT, but I've also read Henry David's annotated journal, so I'm biased.
ReplyDeleteThanks for those additional thoughts, Stephen. I read about him and thought I might like his book but there were far too many of those mundane details that you mention.
DeleteI'm sorry you didn't enjoy this one. It's always been a favorite of mine. I love his thoughts on building your castles in the air and marching to the beat of your own drummer and not conforming to who others think you should be. I read it in my 20s and his words hit me at just the right time in my life.
ReplyDeleteThat might be the reason, Lark. I might have even liked it more back then but I am too far advanced in life to think this could work well.
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