This was truly one of the most comprehensive and captivating love stories I've ever come across in a novel. The structure of the book was quite unique.

It traced the journey of the couple from the moment they first laid eyes on each other all the way to the very end of their lives. The Prologue not only revealed the structure of the story but also gave away the ending. This unexpected twist really took me by surprise and made me question the purpose of the book.

Surprisingly, it wasn't about what happened in the final chapter. You could choose to read the last chapter if you wished, as Dillard simply presented it upfront. Instead, it was about all the experiences and events that occurred along the way. It was the hidden details within the seemingly ordinary and mundane aspects of life that truly made the story what it was.

Annie Dillard is indeed one of my favorite authors. She has this remarkable ability to inspire me to notice those often overlooked things and to live life in a way that I don't miss out on the beauty that our creator has hidden everywhere for us to discover.

Although this isn't my absolute favorite book by Dillard (I have a preference for her non-fiction works), it is undoubtedly the best among her novels on my bookshelf.

This is a mature and thought-provoking novel, written from the perspective of a life that has been well-lived. I really appreciate that. It offers hope and beauty to love at every stage of life, even in the face of death, where perhaps love reveals itself to be the most genuine and real of all.

"Lou would have to learn. She bade her solitude goodbye. Goodbye to a schedule dictated by whim; goodbye to a life among only her own things, each always in its place; goodbye to no real meals, goodbye to free thought. The whole fat flock of them flapped away. But what was solitude for if not to foster decency? Her solitude always held open house. When was the last time anyone needed her? She was eager to do it, whatever it was."

It sort of killed me to rate this book so low, but there it is.

I blame my lack of interest in this book mostly on the low-level of literature reading I've been doing lately and not on Dillard's writing. Had I read this book while in college, along side books that were giving me headaches like 'Paradise Lost', I'm sure that I would've been elated by a book that is so simple and elegant in so many ways.

Alas, I just didn't care. I've become far too much of a narrative junkie and the narrative here was either too complex or too meandering for me to give a rat's a. Too many perspectives, too broad a time span and no "dialogue tags". People talking through dashes -quote, thus removing the immediacy of all action, was slightly disappointing.

The great thing: it's a writer's book. You know how people say that some music is a'musicians' music'. That's what this book is, a writer's book. At least, the only things I found myself enjoying were those subtleties of craft that I'm not sure the casual reader would care much for (that is the casual reader of mainstream crap - if your general level of reading falls closer to award-winners and critically acclaimed literature, then this might be just what you've been looking for). Her descriptions were original and resonant. The sentence structure spoke to her mastery of the language in written form. Her voice was so strong at times I felt mine might be drowned out forever.

Alas, all I needed to make this near-divine experience wholly satisfying was a story that made me give a damn. And I simply didn't care, either about her tenderly drawn-out characters or the simplicity of grace through which their lives were followed. It seems that while the book has its merits in terms of writing style and craftsmanship, it failed to engage me on a deeper level. The complex narrative and lack of a captivating story left me feeling somewhat detached. However, I can appreciate that for some readers, especially those with a penchant for literary finesse, this book might hold great appeal. It's a reminder that different books resonate with different people based on their reading preferences and experiences. Maybe in a different phase of my reading journey, I would have a different perspective on this work. But for now, it remains a book that I struggled to connect with on an emotional level.

A Challenging Read with Mixed Feelings

This book offers a challenging and non-linear reading experience. There are occasional moments of beauty and tenderness that shine through. However, I noticed that Dillard describes people and relationships in a similar manner to how she describes the natural world. I'm not entirely certain if this is a positive aspect. Something about the characters in the story seems distant, as if they are hidden behind a wall. I never truly developed an emotional connection with the characters, and I'm not sure if Dillard herself cared deeply about them either. Although she was clearly interested in the philosophical questions about love that the characters grappled with, the overall execution left me somewhat dissatisfied. In the end, I would suggest that Annie Dillard might be better off sticking to nonfiction, where her unique perspective and writing style could perhaps have a more profound impact.

I have an intense love for this book. It has such a profound impact on me that I firmly believe I should engage in reading it every single decade until the very end of my life.

This book is like a precious gem that reveals new facets and insights with each reading. It has the power to transport me to different worlds, making me experience a wide range of emotions.

As I grow older and gain more life experiences, I expect to discover even more depth and meaning within its pages. It serves as a constant source of inspiration and wisdom, guiding me through the various challenges and joys of life.

I cannot imagine a future without this book being a part of my regular reading routine. It has become an integral part of my literary journey and a cherished companion that I will hold dear for a lifetime.

Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard, renowned for her work "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" in 1975, delves deep into the mysteries of marriage and the essence of forgiveness in her second novel. Her erudite and lyrical prose has been widely lauded by critics. The evocative descriptions of Cape Cod's landscape add a rich and vivid backdrop to the story. Her perceptive analyses of individuals and relationships offer profound insights.

However, not all the feedback has been positive. A few critics have voiced their complaints. Some character traits seem unbelievable, such as Lou and Toby never having a quarrel. Other plot points lack realism, like Deary's sudden transformation from a nomadic beachcomber to a savvy businesswoman. Additionally, a few of Dillard's metaphors have been described as clumsy and confusing.

Despite these criticisms, Dillard's aim remains clear. She endeavors to explore the complex and often mysterious aspects of human nature and relationships. Her unique writing style and deep understanding of the human condition make her work a thought-provoking and engaging read. Whether one agrees with all of her literary choices or not, there is no denying the impact and significance of her novels.

Well,

I decided to read this particular work because I have long had a desire to explore the writings of Dillard. I had hoped to begin with "Tinker Creek," but unfortunately, this was the only one available in audiobook format within my library system.

What an amazing author she is! I am definitely going to be delving into more of her works. I would be drawn to her writing simply for the beautiful diction and unique syntax she employs. However, this story also had real depth. The setting was vividly described, making me feel as if I was right there. The characterization was so well done that the characters came to life in my mind. And the themes explored were profound, making me think deeply about various aspects of life. I know that I will be reflecting on this book for a considerable amount of time.

Moreover, after reading this, I now have a strong urge to visit Cape Cod! The descriptions in the book have made it sound like such a wonderful and enchanting place.

The writing in this work is truly excellent, as only Annie Dillard has the remarkable ability to pen such beautiful prose.

It took me a rather long time to establish a connection with the characters. Initially, they appeared to be distant and cold, making it a bit challenging for me to engage with them on a deeper level.

Nevertheless, there were several passages or ideas within the book that I have carried away with me and have been grappling with ever since I finished reading it. These thought-provoking elements have left a lasting impression on me.

Perhaps it would be beneficial for me to re-read the book. By doing so, I might gain a better understanding of the characters and be able to fully appreciate the depth and complexity of the story. A second reading could potentially uncover new details and interpretations that I may have missed the first time around.

Overall, despite the initial difficulty in connecting with the characters, this book has proven to be a thought-provoking and engaging read that has left me with much to contemplate.

For a book about love, it's rather a disappointment. There are numerous exquisite lines that prevent it from being simply classified as a "waste of time." However, when considering the book as a whole, I can't claim it as a favorite.

What I did appreciate was Dillard's talent for infusing common experiences with a unique touch. For example, when Maytree looked at his wife, she wrote, "After their first year or so, Lou's beauty no longer surprised him. He never stopped looking, because her face was his eyes' home."

Or, "That he did not possess her childhood drove him wild. Who was this impostor she sang with in college -- how dare he?"

Here's a great one: "A woman's forgiveness weakened a man's arms and back. So did its sob sister, pity. It would not stand up to fight. Who could prevail against it?"

This one is my favorite: "Often she missed infant Petie now gone -- his random gapes, his bizarre buttocks. How besotted they gazed at each other nose-on-nose. He fit her arms as if they two had invented how to carry a baby.....She imagined joining picnic tables outside by the beach and setting them for 22 Peties and Petes, or 122, or however greedy she was that day and however divisible Pete. Together the sons at every age and size -- scented with diaper, formula on rubber nipples, bike grease, wax crayon...waited for dinner. Who else knew what each liked? It was a hell of a long table. She gave herself a minute to watch them -- Petie after Petie barefoot near his future self and past. They pinched and teased or shoved one another. What mother would not want to see her kids again?"

Normally, I don't include so many quotes in a book review. I can't really explain why I did with this particular book, except that I liked these individual lines better than the book as a whole. I must confess that I've always had a slight prejudice against east coasters. I'm not sure exactly why. Again, I like almost all of the individuals I've met, but as a whole, there is a sense of superiority they seem to perceive in themselves regarding their intellect, experience, and perspective that I find annoying. These characters and their beachfront lifestyle irritated me. Their attitudes towards marriage, parenting, etc., frustrated me. I don't know if it was the author's own bias that influenced them, or if it was specific to these particular characters, but the choices they made didn't seem to match the consequences I thought each choice should have.

But who am I to say what should happen to those who have fallen? All I can say is that I felt unsatisfied at the end. And a little bit like none of it really mattered.

Wow. This was really a bad book review. Sorry.

This is a captivating multigenerational saga centered around the Maytree family. Despite covering a significant time span, it remains relatively short, with under 300 pages. Dillard's writing style is exquisitely poetic, painting vivid pictures of various places. The descriptions of the sea, shore, swamps, sky, and stars are so detailed that they are easily imagined.

In one particular part, she masterfully captures a mother's profound nostalgia for the time when her son was a young child, and the bond between them is wonderfully depicted. I was truly enamored with the writing. If I were to rate this book solely based on its writing quality, it would毫无疑问 receive a perfect 5 stars.

However, unfortunately, the storyline didn't quite resonate with me. A man and a woman fall in love, get married, and have a child. The man is a part-time poet, and they reside in Cape Cod, frequently interacting with the Bohemian community of artists there. So far, it all sounds good. The problem lies in the fact that it is rather difficult to understand their motivations. What events led to the breakdown of their marriage? How is the wife able to overcome her husband's betrayal? She appears to take everything in stride and move forward as if nothing had occurred. We are never given access to the reasons behind their actions. For a book with such beautiful writing, I would have expected it to be an emotionally engaging read, but I found myself feeling disconnected from the characters. I adored the writing but didn't feel a strong connection to the characters themselves.

She could not sleep. The question lingered in her mind. Should she pretend that everything was difficult and not a matter of course, in order to ease his chagrin or at least make it seem appropriate? However, she quickly dismissed this ploy as tiresome.

Or perhaps he thought so poorly of her and so highly of himself that he fancied his abandoning her and Pete for Deary had left her ruined and angry for twenty years. But surely he knew her better than that. Surely! Otherwise, he really would be insulting her.

Dillard's novel endeavors to address the questions of romantic, platonic, and familial love. It is also the story of a truly strong and independent woman. Lou was a confirmed bachelorette with property and means of her own in an era when women were expected to be most invested in finding a man. Suddenly, she was struck by love for Maytree, and her life veered towards his. Yet, she remained independent for most of her life. The prologue and the epilogue depict their love story, while the middle of the book deals with maternal love and independence.

It was a well-thought-out character piece. However, I was completely astonished to discover in the afterward that Dillard's original version was 1200 pages longer. What? The greatness of this book lay in its moments of brevity. There were times when it was overly written, overwrought, and repetitive, to the point where I wanted to stop (even though it is just over 200 pages).

"This blind sea they entered together diving. His neck smelled as suntan does, his own oil heated, and his hair smelled the same but darker." and "The swale drained the dunes like a vein. She stopped to drink from the almost-permanent pond. There grew archaic plants from the world's first wags: club mosses, lichens in mounds, puffballs, sea stars, and bug-eating sundews. She stepped over this saurine landscape, and over heather, and started climbing." are two examples of her repetitive style.

I was also slightly irritated by the literary allusions. The three that were most glaring (all of which I knew, so you aren't the only erudite person in the room, Ms. Dillard) were Sophocles's separated single person and the Oblonsky and Howard's End quotes.

Some of my favorite moments included: "Among their friends were people who wrote, people who painted, people who taught, people who carved or welded sculptures, and poets barefoot, lefty, and educated to a feather edge….Did the United States have a culture—apart from making money?" "Perhaps every generation passes to the next, to hand down to yet more children, an untouched trunk of virtues. The adults describe the trunk's contents to the young and never open it." "Old people were not incredulous at having once been young, but at being young for so many decades running." and "Old people were those who lacked the will to leave, or the tact to know, when their party was over." "Lou heard her telling one trapped painter that intellectuals lacked common sense. She could prove it in two words—natural childbirth. Or how about open marriage?" "Lou turned to Maytree and saw his firelit pupils deepen to hers. He was letting her in, as always, and holding her there." "Maybe lasting love is a rare evolutionary lagniappe. Anthropologists say almost every human culture on earth gives lip service, and lip service only, to monogamy." "On the other hand, nothing was more common than courting your wife. How meek you had to be varied with the depth of the particular creek you were up."

Overall, it was a very poetic short novel, well done and astute.

I found the style of this book extremely off-putting. It was truly a form of torture to read through its pages.

I simply couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters. They seemed so distant and unrelatable to me.

The only reason I managed to finish it was because it was a selection for my book club.

However, I must admit that there are a few memorable passages within the book that do show the author has some talent. This is perhaps why I gave her 1 star.

But overall, my experience with this book was far from positive. I did not like it one bit and would not recommend it to others.

It failed to engage me on an emotional level and left me feeling rather disappointed.

I hope that future book club selections will be more to my taste and provide a more enjoyable reading experience.

Annie Dillard, my goodness! This is an incredibly beautiful companion to your Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. I feel truly blessed and lucky to have had the opportunity to read both of them at your Hollins.

It is such a remarkable experience to immerse oneself in these works. The way Dillard writes is simply captivating. Her words have the power to transport the reader to another world, a world filled with wonder and beauty.

This novel is the perfect one to give me the exact kind of hope that I need right now. It is breathtaking in its simplicity and yet profound in its message. It makes me believe that there is still beauty and goodness in the world, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.

I am so grateful to have discovered Annie Dillard's works and I look forward to reading more of her writing in the future.