At first, I really despised it. It was extremely tiresome to read someone else's random thoughts and stream of consciousness about things that held no interest for me.

However, as time went on, I managed to tolerate it. Now that I have finally completed it, I do feel that I have picked up a few tidbits of knowledge about nature.

Nevertheless, I am still completely baffled as to why so many people heap praise upon this book and why it was awarded the Pulitzer Prize.

I did enjoy the part where she mentioned a different book about blind people regaining their sight. That was quite interesting. Additionally, I liked the section on page 126 where she looks through the microscope. The chemistry explanation on pages 126 - 127 was rather cool.

The setting of the book is similar to (perhaps near) my parents' farm in Southwest Virginia, which made me feel that I should pay closer attention. Generally speaking, though, I found it to be a tedious read.

Now I know better than to read any more of her works.

When comparing good books with nature themes and explorations, there are several notable ones. "Invisible Lines" by Mary Amato, "Ship Fever" by Andrea Barrett, "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life" by Barbara Kingsolver (set in the same geographic area), and "Nature Noir: A Park Ranger's Patrol in the Sierra" by Jordan Fisher Smith. Each of these books offers unique perspectives and insights into the world of nature.

There is an abundance to say about this remarkable book.

At certain moments, I found myself thoroughly bored, completely clueless about where the author was headed. However, at other times, I was irresistibly moved to laughter, brought to tears, filled with disgust, uplifted, and utterly fascinated.

This book is distinct from any other I have ever read. It closely resembles a nature observer's journal and is thus written in a stream-of-consciousness style. It seems to be all over the place! But just when I believed I couldn't keep up with Annie Dillard's "random" thoughts, I would be suddenly struck with clarity as she deftly pulled those thoughts together into a single, cohesive idea. It was almost as if I were reading an essay in reverse... the point only became clear to me once I had finished! At numerous junctures, I simply had to make a commitment to keep reading, and I am extremely glad that I did.

It might prove beneficial for the reader to conduct a bit of research about Dillard prior to commencing the book, in order to gain an understanding of her perspective. I initially began reading this and put it down out of frustration (it made me feel rather stupid), but then I read a brief description of Dillard written by Phillip Yancey in his book "Soul Survivors: How 13 Unlikely Mentors Helped My Faith Survive the Church". Dillard is one of those "mentors" for Yancey. Perhaps I am just too dense to have picked up this book blindly, and others may be able to dive right in without hesitation.

Finally, I would recommend reading a recent print of it (after the Pulitzer was awarded) as Dillard includes an intriguing epilogue in which she elucidates her motivation and method for writing the book.

I am ALWAYS reading this book. It has become an essential part of my daily routine. Even after I've finished reading it from cover to cover, I find myself irresistibly drawn to pick it up again. The prose within its pages is simply breathtaking. It is not just words on paper; it is a work of art. Each sentence is crafted with such care and precision, filled with gorgeous and insightful descriptions that transport me to another world. I can get lost in its pages for hours, completely immersed in the story and the emotions it evokes. This book is truly a gem, and I will continue to read it over and over again, savoring every word and line.

Unreal. The second half is like a Migos rap. This shit just be slapping. It's truly astonishing how the second half of this thing takes on the energy and rhythm of a Migos rap. The beats are pounding, the flow is smooth, and it's impossible not to get caught up in the excitement. It's as if the music has a life of its own, just slapping you in the face with its infectious sound. You can't help but move to the rhythm and let the music take you over. It's a wild ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what's going to happen next. The second half is definitely the highlight, and it's something that you don't want to miss.

This non-fiction work serves as a profound meditation on the boundless extravagance of God's grace. At least, that's the impression it left on me.

Follow Annie Dillard as she unfolds the story of her life. She lives apart from humanity, immersing herself in the study of nature - both the animate and the inanimate.

No one else writes quite like Annie Dillard. Her unique style is a marvel to behold. New writers can glean a great deal from the way she infuses life into her words, making them come alive on the page.

This work is truly a gem, and I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in exploring the depths of human experience and the beauty of the natural world through the lens of a masterful writer.

A truly astonishing piece of art.

It was such a remarkable work that the day after I finished reading it, I dedicated a full day to a detailed exploration. I carefully reread the sentences I'd underlined, which were like precious gems within the text. I also took the time to look up words that I didn't know, expanding my vocabulary and understanding.

Furthermore, I delved deeper into researching further information on the facts she mentions about the natural world. This not only enhanced my knowledge but also gave me a greater appreciation for the accuracy and depth of her writing.

Most importantly, I simply sat there, savoring the space she had created. It was as if I was transported into a different realm, completely immersed in her words and the emotions they evoked.

This piece of art had a profound impact on me, and I will continue to cherish and revisit it for years to come.

I read Pilgrim at Tinker Creek not only as a lover of nature and creation but also as a writer, closely examining it for its craft. Dillard's journey through the woods, spending time in nature to discover new species and view old friends with fresh eyes, served as an inspiration for me. As I read, I attempted to parallel her experience by delving into her words, seeking new writing strategies and reevaluating familiar ones. What does a close reading of Dillard's craft reveal?

Contrast is one of the techniques Dillard employs masterfully. The contrast between long and short sentences adds a unique rhythm to her writing. Amidst sentences that meander across the page like the Creek behind her house, she drops short, terse sentences like stones, such as "Winter knives" (43), "It snowed" (45), and "Nothing" (47). These short sentences surprise the reader and draw attention, making them look up from the book and observe their surroundings.

Dillard also surprises with her semantics, using contrast in content. She can transform the grotesque into the romantic, as in "Some mornings I'd wake... to find my body covered with paw prints in blood; I looked as though I'd been painted with roses" (3). She can make the familiar seem foreign, like when she writes, "We have brass candlesticks in our houses now; we ought to display praying mantises in our churches" (65). And she can make the impossible seem probable and normal, as in "I wring it from rocks; it seeps into my cup" (64). In these instances, she uses the semi-colon to connect what we know and what we don't know, suggesting that the gap between the ordinary and the abnormal is not insurmountable.

Semi-colons are just one of the tools Dillard uses to build bridges. Personification is another favorite technique. She gives nature human characteristics, referring to mountains as "absorbent" (5), clouds as wearing scarves (13), and trees as having eyes (122) and hands (113). She also occasionally gives man or man-made objects natural characteristics, as when she describes white plastic milk jugs as looking like a flock of white geese (154). Through these techniques, Dillard shows that she is capable of creating a connection between the natural and man-made worlds in both directions.

Near the end of the book, Dillard implicitly acknowledges the gap she has been exploring between people, the creator, and creation. She encourages us to do the work she does: acknowledge those gaps but also work to forge connections between them. "The gaps are the thing," she writes. "Stalk the gaps" (274). Dillard understands the power of metaphor and how our stories shape our lives. She tells us to be intentional about our bridge-building, to approach our discovery and exploration with humility and curiosity.

I have never felt so relieved and so accomplished as I do now, finally finishing a book. The journey of reading this book has been a long and arduous one, filled with countless hours of concentration and dedication. But now that it's over, I can look back with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

Finishing a book is not just about reaching the end of a story. It's about the knowledge and insights gained, the emotions experienced, and the personal growth that occurs along the way. It's a testament to our perseverance and our love for learning.

As I close the cover of this book, I feel a sense of closure and a newfound inspiration to pick up another one. The world of literature is vast and无尽, and I can't wait to embark on my next reading adventure.

Turgid, cloying, sloppy (but masquerading as ‘writerly’), finally maddening.

It was truly a struggle to get through those 80 pages. The writing style was so off-putting. There was an abundance of approximate language that was trying hard to pass off as precision.

As a result, on every single page, there were several sentences that simply did not make any actual sense. It was like trying to make sense of a jumbled mess.

I found myself getting more and more frustrated with each passing page. Ugh! I just couldn't take it anymore and had to stop.

This book was a complete disappointment and a waste of my time. I would not recommend it to anyone.

I hope that future writers will learn from this example and strive to use clear and precise language in their work.

Only then can they truly engage and captivate their readers.

I have a rather limited patience when it comes to the philosophy of nature. At times, it can be so dense or overly written that it becomes a real challenge to understand. As a result, it took me an incredibly long time to make my way through this particular work.

However, I must admit that I am the better for having read it. This is because I have never encountered anyone who is so deeply and intensely focused on observing and reflecting upon the natural world and our position within it.

It is truly astonishing to me that the author managed to pen this masterpiece in her 20s. I find it extremely difficult to envision a mind as brilliant and profound as hers.

I believe this book was part of the "Scott Gift", and I would like to give a shout out to Bridgo for making it available.

The writing is truly beautiful, just as the natural world that Dillard so vividly describes. Her words paint a picture that is both captivating and enchanting.

However, when it comes to the whole theodicy-thing, it simply doesn't resonate with me. Theodicy is a complex and often controversial topic that attempts to reconcile the existence of evil and suffering with the idea of a benevolent and all-powerful God.

While I can appreciate the beauty and wonder of the natural world, I find it difficult to accept some of the explanations and justifications put forth in theodicy. Maybe it's because I have my own beliefs and perspectives that don't quite align with the traditional views.

Overall, I give this work a rating of 2.5 stars. The writing is excellent, but the theodicy aspect detracts from my overall enjoyment.

"We wake, if we ever wake at all, to mystery, rumors of death, beauty, violence."

Whatever Dillard came searching for down at Tinker Creek in Virginia, she found this. It emerged in simple forms of mantises, sycamores, muskrats, and parasitic insects.

No matter how I slice the book, I will drain it of its juice. Dillard is a masterful wordsmith with an eye for mundane richness. She dabbles in biology, theology, philosophy, entomology, and physics. While standing on old stumps, she reaches handfuls of clouds.

“Say even that you are sitting across the kitchen table from me right now. Our eyes meet; a consciousness snaps back and forth. What we know, at least for starters, is: here we--so incontrovertibly--are. This is our life, these are our lighted seasons, and then we die…. In the meantime, in between time, we can see.” (Chapter 8)

I’m not sure how else to describe this book except that it is a commentary on seeing. Annie Dillard, who is “in the market for some present tense,” has a knack for seeing. And she shares it. At one point, I put down the book and looked (really looked) at my own hand. Dillard gave me new eyes.

This book is a truly remarkable work. It is not just a description of the natural world around Tinker Creek but a profound exploration of human perception and existence. Dillard's writing is so vivid and engaging that it makes the reader feel as if they are right there with her, experiencing the beauty and wonder of the world. Her ability to find meaning and significance in the simplest of things is truly inspiring.

If you didn’t like Thoreau’s Walden genre, this won’t be for you. Otherwise, it’s a truly beautiful, thoughtful meditation well worth the pilgrimage. It will make you look at the world around you in a whole new way and appreciate the beauty and mystery that lies within it.