Every single essay had a point where his ADHD meds wore off and his edible kicked in.

It was a rather strange and unpredictable situation. I found myself constantly trying to figure out how this affected his work and his overall demeanor.

Sometimes, when the meds wore off, he would become more scattered and unfocused. His thoughts would seem to jump from one thing to another, making it difficult to follow his train of thought.

And then, when the edible kicked in, it was like a whole new person emerged. He would become more relaxed, maybe even a little too relaxed. His inhibitions would lower, and he might say or do things that he wouldn't normally do.

I can't tell if I like Elwyn or not. Probably not. His behavior, influenced by these substances, was just too erratic for my liking.

I prefer people who are more stable and consistent in their actions and personalities.

But then again, maybe there's more to Elwyn than meets the eye. Maybe I just haven't seen the real him yet.

Only time will tell if I can come to like him or not.

I have an intense love for this man's prose.

His works such as "Here is New York", "Farewell My Lovely" and "The Years of Wonder" are like precious jewels.

They possess a unique charm that allows them to be read and re-read countless times without ever losing their allure.

The words he weaves create vivid images and evoke deep emotions within the reader.

Each sentence seems to be carefully crafted, as if it is a piece of art.

His prose has the power to transport the reader to different worlds and times, making them experience a wide range of feelings.

Whether it's the hustle and bustle of New York City or the bittersweet emotions of farewell, his writing captures the essence of these experiences with remarkable precision.

I find myself constantly drawn back to his works, eager to explore the beauty and depth that lies within each page.

His prose is truly a treasure that I will cherish for a long time to come.

I am truly embarrassed to admit that until now, I had only read "Once More to the Lake" during my college days and "Here Is New York" (I own a lovely, old illustrated edition of it that I cherish deeply).

White's writing is simply extraordinary. It is so vivid that it仿佛 brings the scenes and emotions to life right before your eyes. The joy with which he manipulates language is palpable, as if he is playing a beautiful symphony with words. His ability to structure his thoughts is so elegant and refined that it makes the reading experience a pure delight.

Once I started reading this book, I simply couldn't put it down. It has been a long time since a book had such a hold on me that I found myself cancelling plans and being late to appointments just to keep reading. And the fact that it is non-fiction makes it even more remarkable. It shows that even in the realm of real life and true experiences, White can create a masterpiece that captivates and enthralls the reader.

I read this with great enthusiasm, eager to learn how it is accomplished when it is done in the most excellent form.

I read this to joyously shout hallelujah at the conclusion of a truly marvelous sentence, or upon the selection of a word that leaves me completely breathless.

I read this to gently wipe the tears that trickle down my cheeks.

I read this to laugh out loud without any restraint or mercy.

This book is like the holy mecca for those of us who simply cannot cease believing in the power of words. Words have the ability to burrow deep within the human heart and take us hostage, to stomp onto a brain cell and paint pictures that we have never witnessed before.

The 1947 essay, "Death of a Pig," is a form of long poetry. And it will remain with you for all eternity.

It has a profound impact that will never fade away.

Yo, Goodreads I.T. - give me the opportunity to give half-stars! It's like it was back in 2017 or something. This book is truly a classic 3.5 stars. When I'm forced to round, unfortunately, I must round down.

Mr. White was indeed a wonderful essayist. This particular collection contains more than a few gems. There are some truly outstanding pieces within its pages that shine with wisdom and insight. However, it is too inconsistent to make the entire volume a 'must read.' Some essays are simply not as engaging or thought-provoking as others.

Yet, even as I write that last sentence, I find myself doubting myself. Because, in truth, I did enjoy the book. It had its moments that really captured my attention and made me think. And I am quite thankful that I read it.

I will say that this collection has inspired me to research other notable essayists. It has opened my eyes to the beauty and power of the genre. We should all be essayists - even if we're not very good at it. Because the act of putting our thoughts and ideas into words is a valuable one.

I truly relished the majority of the initial section of this book. It was engaging and held my attention firmly. However, when it came to the second part, I found myself lacking any real interest. Life is indeed far too short to persevere with reading a book simply for the sake of being able to claim that I have completed it.

I am grateful for the captivating stories about the raccoons and his dog. They were interesting and added a certain charm to the book. Nevertheless, I don't feel an overwhelming compulsion to carry on reading. Maybe, at some point in the future, I will decide to pick up and read his most renowned works. After all, I never had the opportunity to read them during my childhood.

3.5 stars

ENGLISH: This is an interesting collection of essays by the author renowned for the famous trilogy about speaking animals, with Charlotte the spider taking the lead. Each and every one of these essays is truly captivating, expertly written, and filled with humor. They offer a vivid and detailed picture of life in the U.S. during the forty-year span in the middle of the 20th century.

"The eye of Edna," which recounts a hurricane alert experienced by the author on his farm in Maine, is uproariously funny. Among them, "Coon tree" stands out as one of the best. It not only delves into the world of coons but also serves as a profound meditation on both old and modern home appliances. "Farewell my lovely" is a wonderful tribute to the Ford Model T. Meanwhile, "The years of wonder" provides a thrilling description of an adventurous journey that White embarked on during his youth.

The essay about Don Marquis has further increased my long-held desire to read Archy and Mehitabel. I've been longing to read this book for decades, and now I've finally obtained it and am engrossed in reading it.

I am particularly fond of this quote. At the time it was written, it could potentially have been inspired by McCarthyism, yet it is equally applicable to the current situation: I distrust the slightest hint of a standard for political rectitude, knowing that it will open the way for persons in authority to set arbitrary standards of human behavior.

ESPAÑOL: Esta es una interesante colección de ensayos del autor famoso por la famosa trilogía sobre animales parlantes, encabezada por la araña Carlota. Cada uno de estos ensayos es verdaderamente cautivador, bien escrito y lleno de humor. Ofrecen una imagen vívida y detallada de la vida en los Estados Unidos durante el período de cuarenta años a mediados del siglo XX.

"El ojo de Edna", que relata una alerta de huracán experimentada por el autor en su finca de Maine, es divertidísima. Entre ellos, "El árbol del mapache" destaca como uno de los mejores. No sólo se adentra en el mundo de los mapaches, sino que también contiene una meditación profunda sobre herramientas domésticas tanto antiguas como modernas. "Adiós, encanto" es un gran homenaje al Ford modelo T. Mientras tanto, "Los años de la maravilla" proporciona una descripción emocionante de un viaje aventurero que White emprendió durante su juventud.

El ensayo sobre Don Marquis ha aumentado aún más mi deseo de leer Archy and Mehitabel. He estado deseando leer este libro durante décadas, y ahora finalmente lo he conseguido y estoy sumergido en su lectura.

Me gusta especialmente esta cita. En su momento, podría haber sido inspirada potencialmente por el macartismo, pero es igualmente aplicable a la situación actual: Desconfío del más mínimo indicio de un estándar de rectitud política, sabiendo que abrirá el camino para que las personas con autoridad establezcan estándares arbitrarios para el comportamiento humano.

I really hate that I have to rate this collection 3 stars.

It's because within these pages, there are some absolute five-star gems. There are essays that are true masterclasses in the art of writing. However, there are also a few beautifully written pieces that just don't quite hit the mark.

When you have a mix of "some of the best essays I have ever read" and ones that make you so bored you almost go back to work early during a break, it's a tough call. I have to give it three stars. Sorry about that.

Reading this collection, it becomes very clear why E.B. White is such a renowned author. He wrote Charlotte's Web and the criminally underrated The Trumpet of the Swan. His writing style is almost languid, but in reality, he is meticulously watching every single word, making sure everything counts.

He is the essayist who set the standard for The New Yorker's signature style and deliberately chose to use all that skill to describe The Great Outdoors and Cozy Farm Life. It's truly a shame he and Tolkien never met and collaborated. The world really missed out on something great.

Of course, I didn't enjoy every single piece in this collection. Sometimes it felt like the pieces didn't quite fit together as seamlessly as Mr. White might have wanted. But after spreading this book out over nearly four months of work breaks, I want to highlight the real winners, the best of the best.

"Death of a Pig" is an equally heartwarming and melancholic reflection of a small community dealing with the struggles of animal husbandry.

"The Geese" is a narration of the soap-opera-level dramatics of the local goose family, in which Mr. White played a significant role.

"Bedfellows" will resonate deeply with anyone who has ever owned, loved, and lost a dog. It brought back memories of our family poodle, Old Percy, and I could almost hear his little scrabble towards the lunch meat as I read.

"Sootfall and Fallout" offers ruminations on the possibility of nuclear war and the struggles between the Soviet Union and America. Written in 1956, it shows that some struggles don't go away easily.

"Afternoon of an American Boy" captures the essence of young love with White at his most dramatic.

"The Years of Wonder" is a wonderful snapshot of a coming-of-age aboard a ship in the Arctic, offering a rare look into a short-lived and seldom-described culture.

Recently, I delved into a distinct collection of essays from the New Yorker titled Essays from the New Yorker, which was compiled by someone other than White. Although I took pleasure in both collections, I found myself having a greater affinity for the first one. In that particular collection, White had the liberty to select which of his essays would be included. Some of his choices had a strong inclination towards the nostalgic, which perhaps brought him personal satisfaction but might not have been as appealing to the reader. I suppose this is an inevitable occurrence.

I have a particular penchant for the essays that offer a reflection on White's youth. For instance, the Years of Wonder, which details his aimless adventure on the Alaskan cruise line, and the St. Nicholas League, which pertains to the junior literary magazine from his earliest days of writing for publication. He had a remarkable ability to do a tongue-in-cheek recollection.

Truly, I believe it would be arduous to read anything that White has penned without being awed by its simple mastery. He even managed to pique my interest in birdlife and Maine, which is truly no small feat.

I rarely annotate books, but this time I found myself annotating multiple essays.

The reason is that his writing is simply so lovely and perfect.

Every word, every sentence seems to be carefully crafted, carrying a unique charm and profound meaning.

It's like a gentle breeze that blows through my heart, leaving a trail of warmth and inspiration.

I can't help but be deeply attracted by his writing style and the emotions he conveys.

I love you, E.B. White!!!

Your works are like precious treasures, always bringing me joy and enlightenment.

I will continue to read and annotate your essays, savoring every moment of this wonderful literary journey.

Delightful!

Each essay is truly as enjoyable as a fresh breeze gently caressing your face.

They are neatly set up by various themes such as the farm, the city, the planet, and writers.

Among them, my absolute favorites are: The Eye of Edna, Here is New York, The Years of Wonder, and The Railroad.

However, it should be noted that all the other essays were also very good.

Their diverse themes and unique writing styles offer a rich and engaging reading experience.

Whether you are interested in nature, urban life, the universe, or the works of great writers, there is surely an essay in this collection that will capture your attention and leave you with a sense of satisfaction.

It is truly a wonderful compilation that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves to read and explore different perspectives.

It would be more precise, in my opinion, to state that there is a profound undercurrent of melancholy coursing through every individual's life. And the humorist, perhaps more acutely aware of it than some others, compensates for it in an active and positive manner.

Humorists thrive on trouble. They have always managed to turn trouble into something beneficial. They persevere with a good heart and endure pain cheerfully, fully aware of how well it will serve them in the future.

You can find them grappling with foreign languages, contending with folding ironing boards and clogged drainpipes, and suffering the intense discomfort of tight boots. They profitably pour out their sorrows in a form that is neither entirely fiction nor entirely fact.

Beneath the glittering woe of these dilemmas, the powerful tide of human woe flows.

Dilemma I am and dilemma I will remain. Until next year, E.B.