Pilgrim at Tinker Creek has continued to change people's lives for over thirty years. A passionate and poetic reflection on the mystery of creation with its beauty on the one hand and cruelty on the other, it has become a modern American literary classic in the tradition of Thoreau. Living in solitude in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke, Virginia, and observing the changing seasons, the flora and fauna, the author reflects on the nature of creation and of the God who set it in motion. Whether the images are cruel or ...
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Pilgrim at Tinker Creek has continued to change people's lives for over thirty years. A passionate and poetic reflection on the mystery of creation with its beauty on the one hand and cruelty on the other, it has become a modern American literary classic in the tradition of Thoreau. Living in solitude in the Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke, Virginia, and observing the changing seasons, the flora and fauna, the author reflects on the nature of creation and of the God who set it in motion. Whether the images are cruel or lovely, the language is memorably beautiful and poetic, and insistently celebratory. Just pay attention, Dillard urges throughout, and you will find yourself 'sailing headlong and breathless under the gale force of the spirit'.
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Dillard has a way of writing in nature that manages to be at the same time deeply philosophical and yet still playful and amusing.
brotherlew
Mar 4, 2010
Wonders of nature
Basically this purports to be a viewing of the natural phenomena near a single location. The question of causation is implied. The writing is a bit florid. Inspirational, taken as a whole.
cvincongers
Nov 17, 2008
Giving for Christmas
I am enjoying this book so much that I had to buy 3 more copies to give away. No way am I giving away MY copy. I'm even taking notes(!) and have to read excerpts out loud to anyone who will listen.
Raech
Oct 2, 2007
Pilgrim Tinker Creek
This is a book of wonder. It is a poetic, lyrical wandering into nature. The author takes your hand and shows you all the marvels and unseen things that happen practically under your nose. Every minute detail and occurrence that you would never see on your own is brought to light. She follows the turning of the seasons and the life cycles of small creatures, most of them insects. She explores the intricate web of nature, displaying how beautiful and often inexplicable it can be. There is also some examination of people and their impact on or relation to the natural environment. Dillard sees things how they are and does not shy away from moments of death or brutality. There is some humor here as well. It can seem to wander at times, but always circles back to the topic of nature. Mostly it is fantastic descriptive writing: the brilliant metaphors and figurative language paint a very vivid picture in the reader's mind. A veritable pleasure to read and experience.
AineOlwen
Jul 26, 2007
Pilgrims All
My favorite book, full of rich details about nature--and about being human. We are all pilgrims at Tinker Creek (or Shoals Creek, or Cypress Creek, or Woman Hollering Creek) and how much we enjoy the pilgrimage depends on how willing we are to observe and meditate. Dillard's keen eye for detail, and her ability to transcribe and share what she sees and feels, bring the reader along on her forays into the woods and fields around her cabin on Tinker Creek, through all the seasons of one year. She makes the connections between literature, science, philosophy, entymology, etymology, practical wisdom, and the natural world. I love this book and re-read it often.
