justycrusty's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.25
reflectiveramblin_nalana's review against another edition
4.0
While I greatly enjoyed this first hand look at Maine's history, I wasn't prepared to fully appreciate this work for what it is. THe Maine Woods is a collective thoughts recording of several of Thoreau's adventures in Maine. Though it is sprinkled with some poetic thoughts it is by no means a cohesive narrative, and it is my own failing for not being as comfortable out of the familar structure of one.
One aspect I enjoyed and found surprising was Thoreau's interactions and thoughts on the native population. There was also one observation about those residing in exceptionally rural places and who operated what amounted to trade outposts and the perspective of what we perceive as culture that stuck with me. Four stars because I recognize the quality and significance, but a three, three 1/2 personal experience.
One aspect I enjoyed and found surprising was Thoreau's interactions and thoughts on the native population. There was also one observation about those residing in exceptionally rural places and who operated what amounted to trade outposts and the perspective of what we perceive as culture that stuck with me. Four stars because I recognize the quality and significance, but a three, three 1/2 personal experience.
jayricart's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
Henry David Thoreau bring to life the woods of Maine as he saw it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs
jlennidorner's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very detailed account of the travels in 1846, 1853, and 1857 of Thoreau. What they ate, what they wore, where they slept, and how much items cost along the way are all recorded. There’s mention of intense cold of 40 to 50 Fahrenheit (which is above freezing, so I’m not sure what to make of that).
I’ve never had tea sweetened with molasses. Nor have I ever eaten moose horn. However, the oddest meal I came across in this book was as follows: “The Indians baked a loaf of flour bread in a spider on its edge before the fire for their breakfast…”
The pleasure of Thoreau’s adventure is destroyed during a moose hunt. Hunting for merely the satisfaction of killing is like shooting your neighbor’s horses and God is that neighbor — THAT is the lesson that Thoreau gifts to readers in the middle of this book. After that scene, he really “sees” the reality of where he is.
Some lessons are never learned and thus never cease to be relevant. One example in the book is when he comes to a place where there are two political parties mentioned. One is in favor of schools. The other, following the wishes of a priest, is opposed to schools because education could lead to “Indians” who would know how to manage their money.
Thoreau’s appreciation of “Indian” language is bold and rare.
I’ll end my review with a favorite (condensed) quote from the book:
“The Anglo-American… cannot converse with the spirit of the tree…”
I’ve never had tea sweetened with molasses. Nor have I ever eaten moose horn. However, the oddest meal I came across in this book was as follows: “The Indians baked a loaf of flour bread in a spider on its edge before the fire for their breakfast…”
The pleasure of Thoreau’s adventure is destroyed during a moose hunt. Hunting for merely the satisfaction of killing is like shooting your neighbor’s horses and God is that neighbor — THAT is the lesson that Thoreau gifts to readers in the middle of this book. After that scene, he really “sees” the reality of where he is.
Some lessons are never learned and thus never cease to be relevant. One example in the book is when he comes to a place where there are two political parties mentioned. One is in favor of schools. The other, following the wishes of a priest, is opposed to schools because education could lead to “Indians” who would know how to manage their money.
Thoreau’s appreciation of “Indian” language is bold and rare.
I’ll end my review with a favorite (condensed) quote from the book:
“The Anglo-American… cannot converse with the spirit of the tree…”
boredacademic's review against another edition
Too much description. This was just to tedious to finish
lizzicrystal's review against another edition
2.0
The rating is so low due to my own enjoyment of it, not the book itself - parts were very interesting (I especially liked the introduction that told what this book meant back then, and Thoreau's appendix listing all the plants and animals he saw during his sojourn in Maine, and the provisions required to make such a trip). I can imagine Transcendentalists of the time were very interested, and as Transcendentalism is a subject that very much interests me, it was fun reading something by a true naturalist, even if I couldn't quite get into it as "for fun" reading.
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