Henry David Thoreau (American, 1817 -- 1862) extracted himself from the routines of employment and civilized sociability to spend two years in the ...
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Jun 10, 2008
Amanda
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While Thoreau can seem a bit pretentious about his successes 'living off the grid', this is a great book to remove oneself from the excesses of contemporary life. For example, on the topic of fashionable, but impractical clothing... "yet I am sure that there is greater anxiety, commonly, to have fashionable, or at least clean and unpatched clothes, than to have a sound conscience. [...] I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes."
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Sep 23, 2007
Jo
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In HS when I was required to read this, it would put me to sleep. This was even though I lived in Mass. and had a Uncle who had property with a pond and trails though the woods. It was just dry to me. Recently, 2005, my teenage son read this. He was board and I thought it was OK. So when I'm 90, I will probable love it.
Mar 23, 2010
Nicole
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It was slow at times, but it was really interesting to see all that he learned. I worked on applying it to now, and I think Thoreau discovered some eternal concepts. Even though it was a bit on the boring side, it was very informative and interesting to interpret.
Apr 05, 2011
Keith
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I liked this book not so much for the story, language, or even the enjoyment of reading it, but for the philosophy Thoreau expounds and the effect it has had on my life (I quit at least one job after the first 20 pages).
May 26, 2008
Riannon
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Honestly, Thoreau's philosophies for the most part seem rather dumb and pretentious to me. I know he's famous and all, but I've never been that big on Transcendentalism to begin with, and it seems like Thoreau just took some of Emerson's ideas and ran away with them till they reached the point of being ridiculous. There is also a bit of hypocrisy involved. I mean, he's opposed to philanthropy because people can supposedly handle everything they need by themselves right? Then why does he borrow n
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Dec 06, 2009
Derrick
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Kind of wordy for my tastes. But I'm not the brightest, either.
If you're going to trudge through something, this isn't a bad choice.
If you're going to trudge through something, this isn't a bad choice.
Jan 04, 2009
Laura
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I really didn't read it....I tried to read it. It was so boring. I now it's an old book, but why is it considered a classic?
May 17, 2009
Joseph
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Thoreau is as hypocritical as he is long-winded. For all its acclaim, I considered Walden Pond a waste of my time.
Feb 07, 2009
I was a trooper and read it. Good for culture and deep-thinking, but not a page-turner.
Jul 06, 2011
Artmajorese
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I'm about half-way through, but I'm going to give up. It's just not worth my time to slog through another classic I don't like. If you want to read pretentious journals from an archaic age, this book is for you. Otherwise, go read My Side of the Mountain or something fictitious and delicious that will make you care more about the world.
Oct 20, 2009
Aaron
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Interesting story...especially after reading omnivore...What really gets me about both of these books is that they seem to be proponents of regression to pre-industrial society, and thats kind of a messed up thing to think about. Would we really be better off without the industrial revolution? Would our land be cleaner, our lives more contemplative, over population problems less prevalent? I dont know, but with this news of a universal Flu vaccine, over population is a real possibility.
Apr 16, 2008
Becky
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I was able to see the importance of Walden at the time to Thoreau. His natural setting really helped bring out the themes he wanted to explain in this book: the importance of self-reliance, the value of simplicity, and the illusion of progress. He also uses some motifs that were very interesting: the seasonal cycle, poetry, ad imaginary people. I felt that taking the time to read this book helped me understand transcendentalism.
Aug 21, 2008
Carmen
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I go back to this book often, expecially when I feel like I'm "walking to the beat of my own drum" and nobody gets me. It always feels fresh to me and I love his way with the turn of a phrase. My favourite quote is, "If you ahve built your castles in the air, that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."
May 31, 2008
Kelsey
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I love many of the theories that Thoreau presents in this novel, which I consider to be his best. I had an amazing experience reading this for the first time as I backpacked through Coyote Gulch in Southern Utah with my literature class. Literature is so much more powerful to me when it is read outdoors.
Feb 17, 2009
Heather
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We are reading excerpts from this book in American Literature. The first thing that I learned is that Thoreau was not a poet, he's an essayist. His idea of living in a cabin by the side of a pond sounds heavenly to me, especially in this chaotic period in my life. This is an easy, yet poignant read.
Mar 20, 2008
Stefanie
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Not what I expected- a manifesto. Took a while to catch on to the language- but worth reading. Loved the nature language, got tired of the self-righteous description of his way of life- I gotta chop my own wood too.
May 15, 2008
Thoreau has a different mindset to life than how we live today. I haven't read this for some time; will need to re-visit this, but it is certainly worth the read and sure to be thought-provoking.
Nov 13, 2008
I cherished the fact this book defied all rules of English and has survived to become a classic.His experiences are a rare glimpse into experiences some people may never have.
Oct 12, 2008
Mara
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Thoreau a genius, and I bet he was a fairly nice guy too. Although I'm guessing his personal hygiene left something to be desired, at least during his Walden Pond days...
Jan 25, 2008
Leon
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Not sure if I actually read the whole book but from what I remember I liked the spirit of it. Man and nature. A little escape from technology is sometimes a good thing.
Oct 01, 2009
Marc
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What an incredible work of fiction. The content is thought-provoking, and the writing itself is spectacular. Finely executed, with numerable striking passages.
Jul 19, 2008
Rdew1
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This was one of my formative books. It is a glimpse into American thought and life from an early American philosopher. It reminds me of my youth.
Feb 14, 2008
Amanda
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Very deep. The book really makes you think but I could do without the constant rambling
Dec 16, 2007
Anna
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This book is like soul-candy. Is that a creepy phrase? I could read this book again and again.
