Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

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Summary: Piece of Trash
Review: This book is horrible. It is very very very boring, Dillard may have the skills to concoct imagery, but this book does nothing but confuse the reader. Her focus changes every page, it seems like a written freestyle of thoughts. I wouldn't waste my time on this trash.

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Summary: Reading this book changed the direction of my life.
Review: I read this book while a fundamentalist Christian in seminary studying for the ministy. It literally changed the direction of my life. It was the language that at first seduced me; not a page is wasted, not a word out of place, not a throw-away metaphor. It sings with a beauty and sense of utter awe that I have never witnessed in another writer. Dillard taught me to trust my own inner voice, to see the world with eyes that were fully open. It started me on a long path that continues to this day, thinking for myself, observing and embracing the small everyday currents that resonate so deep with my spirit. Annie is a kindred soul, a witness to the utter mystery and joy of a life lived with eyes and heart attuned to the vibrant exuberance of the spirit. I have given hardback copies of Pilgrim to many fellow pilgrims and have made rereading it a yearly spiritual service. This is must reading for all serious seekers after beauty, truth, and a spiritual path that does not deny the mysteries of life. Annie is a fellow pilgrim who does not fail to ask the difficult questions, the felicity and power of her prose sings with an authenticity that is impossible to deny. This is one of the most important books of the later 20th century and I recommend this book to all seekers after beauty and spiritual refreshment.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it, until...
Review: Annie Dillard paints with words and, as an artist, I commend her for her "seeing" and splendid articulation. I was sorely tempted to push through my emotional distress to the end of the book. Unfortunately (I suppose for me) I've been endowed with a particularly sensitive visual mind. I hung in through nature's carnage until halfway through, but - enter mantis, out went I. Her writing is extraordinarily graphic. If you want to experience firsthand the gestational process and mate-eating habits of a female mantis, this is your book. I loved her well-crafted descriptions of weather, temperature, sky texture and topography and each cool wind which touched her touched me, as well. I do wish I could have disciplined myself to finish Pilgrim At Tinker Creek. But then, I cannot bear to watch the male lions kill their own cubs on National Geographic specials either. While I recognize nature as inevitably "natural," I'd be compelled to intercede for the cubs somehow. I struggled to turn each page, knowing that, as good a writer as Ms. Dillard is, she wouldn't miss a gory beat. It is a marvelous journalistic experiment, but could be a discomforting reading experience for some.

Rating:
Summary: Book is Tom Wolfe-ish, but not as well done
Review: Dillard has constructed a mental framework in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. What is missing from the book is the guts. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is 260 pages of fluff that leaves you feeling full, but like Chinese food the feeling leaves fairly quickly.

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Summary: "Seeing" clearly
Review: Ms. Dillard's poetic descriptions of the subtlties of nature evoke quiet and beautiful images. These delicate observations have convinced me to remain patient and continue to look harder. My own painting has become stronger thanks to Annie Dillard.

Rating:
Summary: Well writtien with one shortcoming the book is about nothing
Review: Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is a well written book. In fact it is beyond well written. The language and her use of similies and metaphors is profund. However the book does leave something to be desired. A subject. The book is about nothing. Every well written page essentially says the same thing, nothing.

Rating:
Summary: A profound nurturing of my soul
Review: Annie Dillard speaks to me as no other author does. I travel with her on her pilgrimage, revel in her landscapes, ponder her microscopic probings of worlds beyond the scope of most of us and - laugh - with her at the absurdities so many of us accept as "Gospel". She is my "morning read" many days and my days are richer for them.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Perhaps my expectations were too great. I thought Pilgram at Tinker Creek was a unique approach to the eternal question of the goodness and badness of the world, and the nature of its creator. However, I found Dillard rather self-absorbed, and was not able to relate to her. While parts of the book are beautifully written, her style can be awkward and jarring at times. I'm glad Dillard was able to end her journey on a positive note of praise, but I didn't gain much from her experience.

Rating:
Summary: very boring to the average reader
Review: I had to read this book for my English class, and I really didn't like it at all. Mostly cause there was no dialogue which made me lose interest quickly. I thought some of the facts were pretty good, but other than that, I wouldn't recommend it if you don't like the whole nature/animals thing.

Rating:
Summary: Magic, mesmerizing, poetic, life-changing, utterly perfect!
Review: If you never read another book in your entire life, read this one. It will permanently alter your outlook on life and will abolish the word "mundane" from your vocabulary. Annie Dillard dives into life with her eyes wide open and swims for all she's worth.