( I read this is in original Japanese, so I cannot vouch for translation quality )
If I were to choose a book to take with me on a reading retreat in the woods, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I’d take this one. Since I didn’t have such a plan, I read it one chapter a day before bed, and it turned out to be a wonderful reading experience.
It’s a collection of journal entries written in 1994, so the Alaska he describes in this book may be a little different from today’s. He probably didn’t think much back then about how important this book would become in the face of climate change. There is no agenda in his writing. Just his love for Alaska and its wild nature.
The author’s words are expressed in simple, straightforward sentences, yet they come across as so genuine and pure that it felt as if he were writing letters directly to me. I was surprised by how deeply I was affected by his awe and respect for the narural world. It was delightful to feel how his view of the world, life, and human nature is connected to the gifts of the earth.
Although it is non-fiction, this is a book for vibe readers rather than analytical ones. I hope some of you read it and join me in appreciating the beauty of this book 😊