Book Review: Walden by Henry D. Thoreau
Walden or Life in the Woods Documents Social Criticism and Dissent
Dec 9, 2008
Many consider this book a classic reflecting on simple living. It is a vivid account of when Thoreau lived alone for just over two years in a secluded cabin at Walden Pond but relatively close to Concord village. Thoreau saw "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation" and "serfs of the soil" and his time at Walden Pond was an experiment in self reliance and minimalism to avoid that type of life.
Simple Living
The experiment in simple living and focusing on only the bare essentials is documented through various essay style reflections such as Economy; Where I Lived, and What I Lived For; Reading; Sounds and Solitude.
Living near the small lake seems fairly idyllic and nature is portrayed in The Ponds, The Pond in Winter and Spring. The pond was also important at a more practical level - as a source of food
Each topic is a combination of philosophical musing, description and practical detail of how exactly he did something including detailed costs if appropriate.
Secluded But Not Isolated
Whilst the cabin was near a lake and relatively secluded Thoreau was not isolated from the rest of society and civilization. Concord Village was only just over a mile away and Thoreau both visited the village and occasionally had visitors from the village. These encounters are described in various essays such as Visitors, The Village, Baker Farm, Brute Neighbors and House-Warming. Also, being relatively closer to nature there was more opportunity for animal visitors: Winter Animals.
Self Reliance or Self Indulgence?
Thoreau ranges over all of the major topics for living a simple and self reliant life and philosophically muses on many related subjects. At one level that can be considered the beauty of this book – that he casts a critical eye at society and daily life and shows in detail how a different life can be led. Reading this book will show you exactly what he did and thought about.
Alternatively, these reflections can be considered the self indulgent and laborious musings of someone sufficiently privileged to take some time to live on the edge of society; someone who has the means and connections to support that dissenting lifestyle - temporarily.
Classic American Literature
The 150th Anniversary edition has an introduction by John Updike who extols the virtues of this book as a classic. He is not alone. If you wish to read about Thoreau’s experiment in great detail, with his vivid portrayal of rural life in the 1850s and his philosophical musings then this may be for you. It is easy to draw parallels between society then and now and consequently its modern relevance. So the question really becomes do you wish to read about why Thoreau went to Walden and his thoughts on life and what is and is not essential?
Walden by Henry D. Thoreau. Princeton 2004. ISBN: 0-691-09612-0
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