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178th out of 463 books
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Three by Annie Dillard: The Writing Life, an American Childhood, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
A stunning collection of Annie Dillard's most popular books in one volume.
Paperback, 624 pages
Published
November 21st 1990
by Harper Perennial
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There are three books in this book, the first is A Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and that is which I've read.
I bought this because J.D. Jespersen recommended it, and both professors Carl and Colpitts read from it and other Annie Dillard while we worked in our art classes. I started it not really sure what the point was, and I finished the same. Whatever compelled her to write all this down, however, I am incredibly grateful for because I was fascinated from start to finish. Basically, she g...more
I bought this because J.D. Jespersen recommended it, and both professors Carl and Colpitts read from it and other Annie Dillard while we worked in our art classes. I started it not really sure what the point was, and I finished the same. Whatever compelled her to write all this down, however, I am incredibly grateful for because I was fascinated from start to finish. Basically, she g...more
I'm still in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and think I will stop for the time being when I reach the end. Too many other books flooding in, both from the library and my mad amazon spending spree.
I appreciate Annie Dillard's compendium of observation, the diverse and fascinating data that salts this book, and the beauty of her writing.
I've finished Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and enjoyed it, although it isn't the kind of book I usually read. I will come back to the other two books later...more
I appreciate Annie Dillard's compendium of observation, the diverse and fascinating data that salts this book, and the beauty of her writing.
I've finished Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and enjoyed it, although it isn't the kind of book I usually read. I will come back to the other two books later...more
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Charlotte
is currently reading it
I bought this book to read Dillard's The Writing LIfe, and because it was on sale, but The Writing Life is the third book in this weighty paperback, and I decided her advice on writing would probably make a lot more sense after reading some of her own writing. So I started at the beginning. After re-reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, I admire her writing a lot, although some sections of the description feel a little dates to me. Others do not, and were stunning. So, a pretty good shelf life for an...more
I deeply admire what Annie Dillard does. She has a way of crafting an essay in which readers learn little to nothing about her actual life, but feel as though they've been given a glimpse of something very personal. She has a way of achieving poignancy within these hugely intellectual/philosophical musings of hers and I think it comes from her ability to craft an indelible image and build upon it.
The Writing Life was, weirdly, the least interesting of the three for me. I had just rea...more
The Writing Life was, weirdly, the least interesting of the three for me. I had just rea...more
In Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, I was a part of the picture of nature.
The scientific and mythologic context of nature and people are breaded throughout the pages.
An Eskimo tale that is unforgettable to me:
“Is beauty itself an intricately fashioned lure, the cruelest hoax of all? There is a certain fragment of an ancient and involved Eskimo tale I read in Farley Mowat that for years has risen, unbidden, in my mind. The fragment is a short scenario, observing all th...more
The scientific and mythologic context of nature and people are breaded throughout the pages.
An Eskimo tale that is unforgettable to me:
“Is beauty itself an intricately fashioned lure, the cruelest hoax of all? There is a certain fragment of an ancient and involved Eskimo tale I read in Farley Mowat that for years has risen, unbidden, in my mind. The fragment is a short scenario, observing all th...more
Most buy this for a A Writing life but the true masterpiece is Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, Dillard's paen of praise to nature in the style of Thoreau.I believe this to be one of the most sensitive works of American literature that few read today but were oh so popular some 40 years ago.Like a fine piece of archaeology it can be read on many levels.....
Annie Dillard is a paradoxical person: her writing is beautifully lyrical yet philisophically dense; she is interested in both the physical world and the metaphysical; one could just as easily imagine her in the backwoods of Appalachia as in an academic library. But her intense spirit--intense love of the world--is her strength. Three is an excellent collection of A.D.'s writing.
Laura, BookCellar bookseller
Laura, BookCellar bookseller
I haven't finished the book yet: but the five stars are for Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Her way of seeing and describing nature is like a meditation. I will eventually read the other two books in this volume.
based on a recommendation, i'm starting Pilgrim at Tinker Creek..meandering is probably the best word to describe the story and i'm really not confident that it's going to go anywhere.
Arielcatheryne
is currently reading it
I am not much for nature in literature or even poetry. So it speaks very highly in my eyes that Annie Dillard can talk so much about nature that is quite interesting to me. :-D
James Harlan
added it
The Writing Life is an extraordinary meditation on what it means to be a writer. I've still not read the other titles, but look forward to reading them.
Jennifer
is currently reading it
Had a hard time getting into the first chapter, but now that I "get" her voice, I'm finding it to be so lovely.
Dillard is one of the finest contemporary AMerican writers. If you like good writing, Annie Dillard is your gal!
I really liked these three when I read them years ago. NOt certain how I might assess them if I read them today.
Annie Dillard is worthy of her many accolades she has received and Tinker Creek and An American Childhood are two of her best works. The Writing Life, is less strong, but is an interesting behind-the-scenes look at her process.
Dillard has a eye for finding immediacy and meaning in small moments in a way that doesn't feel hackneyed or forced and descriptions are lovely.
My only fault with these books is that Dillard uses a handful of the same stories in both Childhood and...more
Dillard has a eye for finding immediacy and meaning in small moments in a way that doesn't feel hackneyed or forced and descriptions are lovely.
My only fault with these books is that Dillard uses a handful of the same stories in both Childhood and...more
This is so beautifully written. One of my favorite books.
Joshua Oakley
added it
Elizabeth Ann Cooper Collection
I am awed by what I am reading - Ligrim at Tinker Creek mirrors the lessons I have been honing the past few years...what I tasted on the Camino when I walked it in spring 2009. It speaks to me heart and my mind. I am hungry for more.
I read all of these books separately but they're three of her best. The one that truly shows what Dillard can do is the Pulitzer-winning 'Pilgrim at Tinker Creek'. If you like that, you'll probably like 'An American Childhood', though it's not nearly so deep (nor is it intended to be). 'The Writing Life' is a good solid read for any writer. Lots of inspiration and good advice here.
I love Annie Dillard and you get three of her books in one cover with this one. You definately have to be in the mood for Dillard, but I so often am that I can easily say she is one of my favorite authors. Top five for sure. The Writing Life hit the spot for me, but read them all.
All three of the books contained in this collection are familiar, tangible, and visceral all at once. They demonstrate the commonly hidden fact that our common experience is unique to the individual and should be appreciated as such.
Jason Hubbard
is currently reading it
I'm still learning. . . and in constant awe of Dillard's sublime portrayal of just about everything. It's like peering through a web of nostalgia, but in a good way.
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Insightful, but at times I had to force feed it down my throat.
Beth Shields-Szostak
marked it as to-read
1st edition; dj price-clipped, p.o. inscription on front inside cover
How to slow down and see.
Jenna
is currently reading it
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