The author began spontaneously picking up some of the Thoreau rides at the lowest point of his life. He went for a walk along the coast of Cape Cod, completely oblivious and without equipment (it was a bit like Bill Bryson's Walk in the Woods in those days!). However, he met some amazing people, saw amazing places, and came out a little better mentally and physically, so he continued his mission. He based six of his travels on published books, Thoreau's essays and Thoreau's personal diary (which I believe has been published). As often as possible, he tries to recreate the same place as Thoreau, even if our modern world has changed things a bit. With two walks on Cape Cod (in and out), he climbed Mount Katahdin in Massachusetts, along the coast of MA / RI, from his home in the salt marsh where his family lived for generations. Menin canoeing with a friend at Baxter State Park (north end of the Appalachian Trail) and Allagash Wilderness Waterway in northern Maine, on an island where Toro and his friends camped out for their canoe trip. In this book, Shattuk shares his deepest thoughts and feelings, as well as his observations on nature and quotes from Thoreau himself. The result is an emotional and physical journey.
From Thoreau, on how life reflects the way you walk, quoted in the book:
"Yet there is a consolation to the traveler who suffers the most on the dusty roads that the path followed by his feet is the perfect symbol of human life - now he goes up the hill, now he goes down to the valley. He has continued his old lessons and although very tired and tired of traveling, it was still an authentic experience.
From Shattuk, who compares nature to life:
"Sadness and joy are in the same life, but feel the chill of the sun entering the forest."
Since he loves nature, enjoys hiking (as much as possible) and visiting Cape Cod and Maine (one of my favorite places), I enjoyed this trip with Shattuck. His writings on nature are lyrical, permeating the forests, lakes and coasts of his pages. I am embarrassed to admit that I have never read Thoreau (I intend to improve it), so I enjoy reading those parts of his many writings. And in this book I was able to appreciate the healing power of nature and the author's personal journey. He accompanied this beautiful writing with his sketches, so beautiful that even though I had read ARC on the Kindle, I ordered a hard cover. All these elements come together in a beautifully written memoir that blends nature, travel, literature and personal experiences. Can't wait to meet Ben Shattuck at Booktopia in a few weeks!
175 pages, pewter house book
Audio: Blackstone Publishing
PLEASE NOTE: Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau will be released on April 19, 2022.
This book aligns with the following 2022 reading challenges :
Nonfiction Reader Challenge (Wild Animals Category)
Literary Escape Challenge - Maine
Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My views are my own and are not influenced by my relationship with the publisher or author.
Note: This article contains general links. Buying from this link earns me a small commission (cents per purchase) as compensation for the time spent writing this blog at no additional cost.
Check out my YouTube channel for more book fun !
Listen to a sample audiobook here and / or download it from Audible . There is an audiobook narrated by actor Jonathan Todd Ross. I assume the audio clips will be released on the book's release date.
You can purchase books through Bookshop.org , where your purchase will support the independent bookstore of your choice (or all independent bookstores) - the convenience of buying online when you shop locally!
Or you can order Six Walks: In the Footsteps of Henry David Thoreau from Book Depository , free worldwide shipping.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.