Concise way to enjoy Thoreau ( )

For his entire writing life Henry David Thoreau kept a journal. This was not a diary type journal, recording his movements on a daily basis; it was a writing journal in which he records bits of that and pieces of this. The majority or bulk of Thoreau's writing is found in this journal. The problem is that it is of such great volume than few other than academic specialists, ever actually read the entire work. The journal, some twenty large volumes, is poor material for a biography and is quite a mixture of jottings, lists of creatures and plants and musings along with natural history observations and notes pertaining to people he knew and met; accounts of his ramblings and various thoughts.

Many of the entries in his journal are short, many went for several pages. You could almost call this journal a "practice journal," or as Anderson puts it, a "writer's workbook" as bits and pieces of it appear in Thoreau's other works. But like a large heap of dirt, many a shinny pebble can be found by those willing to search and sift.

Charles R. Anderson has delved into this massive work and discovered that many entries are actually miniature essays, ergo the subtitles of this work "Miniatures from His Journal." These little miniatures are gems indeed! As far as my taste in reading goes, I personally consider Thoreau one of the best, if not the best, of American writers, bar none. I realize that many arguments can be made against this statement, but keep in mind that this is a personal opinion. Each of us has his or her own favorite; Thoreau happens to be mine.

Anderson has gleaned 250 small essays from the overall journal and published them here under various groups which include People, Places, Wildlife, Events, Seasons, Ideas and Essays. Each is an absolute delight. Several different styles have been presented here, and the entire collection can be read as one continuous read, or the reader can pick and choose, going from here to there, as few, if any, of the essays are connected in anyway.

I found that the best way to read this work was first read it cover to cover, slowly, and then, as time allows, read each separate work one at a time, savoring each for what it is. My favorites are from the groups Wildlife, Seasons and People. Others may find different flavors they like better. The entire work is much like Forrest Gump's mother and her box of chocolates.....you just never know....

There is one constant though found throughout the entire work. That would be good, and I mean very good, writing! There is something in Thoreau's prose that is absolutely rhythmic and hypnotic. As you read, you find yourself lost in his narrative and to your inner ear; you feel you are reading poetry. I find myself constantly being caught up in the beat of his words. Thoreau is an absolute master at hiding a metaphor within a metaphor, to the point that you cannot believe you just read what you read. As to his writing of nature, his work can and does sneak up on you, and you find that he has out Aesoped, Aesop. So many of these little paragraphs hold so much in them that they need multiple readings, each with a different frame of mind when you do so, to truly appreciate them. Try reading the one called Fox Chase! In only one (granted, a rather long one), the author has touched on at least three themes, all in plane sight, yet all hidden. As I said; absolutely delightful!

Please keep in mind the time period these wonderful little vignettes were written. It is helpful to have a bit of a background in Greek Mythology in some cases, and it is certainly helpful to have a working knowledge of some of the Romantic Poets; but this is not absolutely necessary as Anderson has given footnotes where appropriate, and done so rather discretely.

If you have not had the pleasure of reading this one, give yourself a treat!

I fully realize that "Walden" is the Holy Grail of those who love Thoreau's writing, and I will probably be burnt at the stake for saying this, but I actually enjoy this collection, for pure reading pleasure, more than I do of that of the "Grail." I keep this one at my bedside and find myself constantly reading a bit here and a bit there on a very regular basis. Some of the pieces I have probably read twenty times or more, yet I still keep discovering something new with each reading.

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks ( )