Normally I would not want anything bad to happen to any book, well this is the exception. This was the worst book I have ever read.

Overall I guess I didn't really find this especially enjoyable to read. There are definitely parts of it that are very thought provoking. There are passages that are for me nostalgia inducing depictions of the forests I remember from growing up around there. But then there are big chunks of really boring stuff like "I bought 12 nails and 8 boards and blah blah blah" and his attitudes about other people seem maybe a little bit off-putting.

It was interesting to be reminded of the context of some of the aphorisms that I feel are so often quoted and taking them in as part of this whole text casts them in a slightly different light.

I remember reading an article about Thoreau shortly after I'd started this book and a sentence that stuck with me was something to the effect of "Walden is the original cabin porn; like one of those 'minimalists' who choose this lifestyle in the woods for a little while and then can't stop telling everybody about their amazing experience free of the shackles of society" or whatever.

I reread this in the summer of 1971 while in the vicinity of Walden pond. I was surprised by what the area looked like, aware that it might have looked different during Thoreau’s time there. Anyway, reading it at the site brought it up from 4 to 5 stars for me.

I still own the copy that belonged to my mother.

Despite supporting Thoreau's back-to-the-land enthusiasm in principle, I found some sections of this book to be monstrously condescending and pedantic. But overall, a solid read and worthy of its revered status amongst naturalists.

I don't know why but it seemed to have something divine in it. n

that was the worst experience of my entire life

I loved the descriptions of nature and life in the woods. When Thoreau talked about philosophy, though, he sounded self-righteous and conceited. I felt life a lot of his thoughts contradicted one another. This was my first foray into philosophy; perhaps I'm just too dim-witted to understand.

While I love many of Thoreau's insights and appreciate his wit, most of the book seems like dull filler for a few brighter moments.