Intimacy. Observation. If I had to sum it up, there it is. This book has often been compared to the classics of nature writing, and I can see those connections clearly, but this book is one enormous lesson that we can all learn from, especially in the present moment. Annie Dillard lives at Tinker Creek in Virginia’s Roanoke Valley and is intimately aware of the region’s movement. And when I say movement I mean natural movements.
Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is Dillard’s earliest masterpiece. Panned by a few for being a bit over the top but loved by far more including myself. This book makes you realize your little plot of Earth, regardless of size or location, has a lot to offer. If you take the time to notice.
When I was little we live in rural Indiana. Right next door in the worst looking trailer you have ever seen was a man named John who trapped muskrat for a living. True story. John had no teeth, loved my mother who would often cook for him. John was like Annie, very much in tune with our little plot of the world.
I loved this book and found it to be something I could open at any point. Just a page or two, or even a paragraph and be content. Ponder. Wonder. Learn.
Get it, read it and don’t be in a hurry.
Comments 4
I loved this book when I read it a few years ago. Now that you have reminded me of it, I will have to find and read it again.
Author
Jeff,
Terry Tempest Williams is another gold mine for nature writing.
Thank you, I will have to try Williams on my Kindle as I’m only reading ebooks at the moment as a few workers in the local Amazon shipping hub tested positive for Covid-19. You give away so much information on so many topics, I’m going to try to return the favor. If you are a cinema fan, or even if you aren’t (yet), you should try criterionchannel.com. It is a wonderful resource and is making me into a fan of classic world cinema. First two weeks are free.
Author
Thanks Jeff.
Man, totally odd to be fearful of printed things. But I’m right there with you. Even with my mail. We use a plastic bag to pick it up. Then we leave it outside for days. Then I spray it with chlorox. Then wash my hands once it’s open. I think this might be the norm for a while. I’m fortunate. Just moved and have HUGE boxes filled with books, mostly things I’ve already read but I love rereading.