Rating: 
Summary: Tinkerin Around
Review: Upon receiving the assignment of posting a review for a piece of nature-related literature in my AP Language and Composition III class, my stomach did cartwheels while my brain collapsed in desperation. Had I not suffered enough? We had finally accomplished the miraculous feat of Thoreau's Walden: Or, Life in the Woods. The looming title, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, sent shudders down my spine. There was no way this high school junior could withstand anymore elaborate descriptions of creeks or lakes or ponds or wherever this Dillard woman chose. I dreaded the return from spring break when we would begin another punish....err, I mean assignment. Surprise. Annie Dillard writes with the knowledge of Thoreau, but updates and modernizes his transcendental writing skill. At times, I had to do a double take and reread about the wolf slicing his tongue open and bleeding to death, or the poor frog sipped like a kid's slurpee on a sweltering July day. From the world of Eskimos to the mating of luna moths and sleeping with tons of fish in the bed, Dillard's book comes alive with Jeopardy-worthy trivia, up close and personal descriptions, and poetic completions. She employs telegraphic sentences throughout the work, adding spunk and playfulness as well as giving way to awesome transitions. Cramming allusions into every nook 'n cranny, she often questions "the Creator," but ends in praise. Can I praise Annie Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek? Although she tosses in a little more Latin and gross observations than I prefer to sink my teeth into, it is a well-written book deserving of your attention. Her spirit is contagious; now will you see the light in the trees?
Rating:
Summary: The View of Tinker Creek
Review: When our teacher first told us about our new reading assignment, "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek", I was afraid I was going to be stuck reading something similar to Henry David Thoreau's "Walden", which I disliked. Yet, to my surprise Annie Dillard's approach to nature was completely different to that of Thoreau. "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" was actually enjoyable and at times even funny.
One of the first aspects of Dillard's writing style that caught my eye is the way her writing structure and diction reflects her mood. Throughout the book she goes through various emotions, from child-like to semi-depressed. Her writing went hand in hand with her feelings. If whe was in a playful, child-like mood her sentences would be simple and easy to comprehend. Her diction would be light and airy. If Dillard was feeling a little upset or full of rage at our great creator her style took a more frantic turn. The sentences would consist of many questions and the words used would be very scientific and consisting mainly of negative connotation.
"Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" is full of neat little tidbits of scientific information. Annie Dillard is definitely an extremely intelligent, well read woman. She definitley knows her Eskimo facts! If there is one thing you'll gain from the book it will be a better knowledge of the Eskimo culture.
Annie Dillard's "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek" is a far cry from Thoreau. Her awareness of the world around is somehow put into a mural of words. Dillard takes the reader on a journey through her backyard into a wilderness of words and images one can begin to imagine. The book was a great choice and I can't wait to try to read another of Dillard's books. She is definitely a talented writer.
Rating: 
Summary: A Book for Insperation
Review: At first glance, Anne Dillard's Pilgrim at Tinker Creek appears to be just another philosophical novel. But if the reader looks at intricacy of Dillard's beautifully crafted novel, he will see that this novel intrigues the human mind and captures the true beauty of nature.
Dillard's unique style gives this novel a sense of individualism. Each chapter has a loose format. Dillard starts out with a story about her childhood, a recent event, or sometimes even Eskimos. She then gives some scientific information on a creature or plant, followed by descriptive piece about nature. A philosophical question is then usually asked. In the last chapter she asks, "Or is beauty itself an intricately fashioned lure, the cruelest hoax of all?" Each chapter ends with a full circle effect. In chapter six Dillard starts off the chapter talking about a puppy she pets at a gas station. At the end of the chapter she ends up talking about the puppy again. This circle effect gives the book an impression that each individual chapter was carefully crafted.
Many times through out the novel Dillard magnificently describes nature. Through her writing the reader can feel the soft winds she describes. It's as if Dillard has placed the reader smack dab in the middle of the forest. In chapter seven, titled Spring, Dillard writes, "The woods were flush with flowers... I saw the pink spring beauty here and there..." Dillard makes the reader want to get out and explore nature.
If anyone is interested in anything, then Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is the book to read. The novel covers a wide variety of topics. At times Dillard praised God, while at other time she questions God with no fear. Even funny childhood stories are told. Through her unique style and elegant writing Dillard captures the reader heart and soul.
Rating:
Summary: Paradox
Review: The word paradox is defined as a contradicting statement revealing a hidden truth. This a book that contradicts itself at many points, and yet reveals many truths. Anne Dillard's statements range from the most childlike to the most philosophical-causing deep thought. The book is like a hurricane throwing thousands of opinions, anecdotes, metaphors, allusions, etc. all at once, but all connecting together to the chapter in which they are in.
For example, at one point Dillard becomes almost hateful infering that there is no creator that actually cares about us, yet towards the end of the book she is praising the creator for his wonderful works. These in themselves are many contradicting statements, yet they as a whole reveal many truths. If you are really into philosophy and history, and like a funny or sometimes creepy anecdote, this is a book for you. It contains many historical and biblical allusions that make it more interesting(at least for me). It can be compared to Thoreau, because of its use of the letter I and all its allusions and philosophies; not because of its anecdotes(for Thoreau really didn't use many). All in all it is a good book for those readers who are deep thinkers and enjoy good stories.
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Summary: Dillard vs. Thoreau
Review: My AP Language and Composition class was recently given an assignment, which was to read Pilgram at Tinker Creek by Annie Dilllard. When faced with this book, all that crossed our minds was the book we had just finished reading, Walden, by Thoreau. Our teacher ensured us that Dillard's book was far more modern, and interesting, than Walden. This lightened our fears and off we went to read our book.
Annie Dillard has a style all her own in Pilgram at Tinker Creek. The short, one-liner paragraphs grab attention in the first few chapters, along with the descriptive anecdotes. Her constant curiosity is apparent throughout her journey at Tinker Creek. Toward the endings of all the chapters and even the end of the book, she "tucks in all the edges," to give the reader a nice sense of closure and a full-circle effect.
While Pilgram at Tinker Creek may be an AP English teacher's dream book, with all the rhetorical devices thrown at readers, a high-school student may find parts of the book tedious among the humor. And although this is an easy book to read, some allusions and structures may be over a high school student's head.
So. Now that the final phase of my Pilgram at Tinker Creek project is finished, I can go on about my business knowing that Thoreau had at least one major fan that took his writings to another, more reader-friendly level.
Rating: 
Summary: A Book That Deserves Better
Review: After all of the comparisons of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek to Henry David Thoreau's Walden I was quite scared of reading the book, but after reading it I find that Tinker Creek deserves better than tired comparisons to a classic. It has become a classic in a class of its own.
Sure, Dillard and Thorearu were both in the woods alone looking at life through the green eyes of nature, but do they really have all that much in common. Where Thoreau rambles on about simplicity, Dillard is a poet. Where Thoreau lecturs, Dillard askes faith challenging questions.
Above all Anne Dillard's style seperates her not just fom Thoreau, but all other writers. A reader of Pilgram at Tinker Creek will discover wonderfully insightful anticdotes, superbly detailed observations and research of nature, and poetic endings that leave the reader stunned. All of this intricately woven into 15 unique chapters.
This book is the story of one womans spiritual journey, but it is intensely self challenging in matters of life, and faith. I have yet to read a book that looks more deeply into exsistence. So, do not dismiss this book as a Walden look-alike, it has much more to offer than that.
Rating:
Summary: The Tinker Creek Review
Review: Maybe it's being forced to read something that usually makes it so unappealing. That was not the case with Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. My schedule is packed full, and normally i'd slack off in reading books for class, but I really enjoyed reading this book. This book by Annie Dillard is not as philosophical as say, Walden. It doesn't contain as many quotable nuggets, but it certainly is more entertaining to read. The book offers an insiders view to nature-Often getting too close and personal with nature's processes. Dillard offers insightful information about nature that could be used as a guide for city dwellers, or as a book to relate to for nature lovers. This book provides an urge to go experience nature. Dillard is exceptionally descriptive and provides for an entertaining look at nature. She notices the things that are unnoticable to others, and makes you want to go experience it for yourself. Pilgrim at Some Creek.
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Summary: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek: A Great American Novel
Review: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek was a masterpiece of nonfiction. Dillard's many daily discoveries and adventures are sure to keep people of all ages entertained. She articulately mulls over many different philosophies and religions throughout this book. She intricately explores the events of her life through the use of amazing detail and accuracy. Although the action is sometimes a little slow, Dillard always manages to entertain through her crafty ability to pay attention and record even the most seemingly non-important detail. Everyone should have a chance to read this great American novel.
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Summary: Comprehending the Unnoticeable
Review: Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard is a great book for those people who are "better-than-average" in comprehending something that is not easily found by just reading. Allusions play a big part to understanding the meaning to Dillard'd view. Biblical allusions, for examble, show us Dillard has a very religious and knowledgeable background. Her metaphors give light ro her work, too. The reader could read past the metaphor and not know that Dillard is expressing more than just her feelings. She will make you see more than what is really there. She will make you think. I could go on and on how Dillard is a great writing and how the average reader wouldn't see the unnoticable, but you must read the book to search the remarkable personality of Annie Dillard.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining, Fun, and best of all Not Boring.
Review: I am currently enrolled in AP English at McMinn County High School. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek is part of the curriculum for that class. We also read Walden this semester, which I thought was one of the most boring books of all time. After I looked over the front and back cover of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, I thought I was in for another boring book, just like Walden. Most of the book was not boring at all. Dillard includes many interesting comparisons, beginning on the first page. Dillard writes of how she wakes up sometimes with paw prints of blood on her chest, and how it looks as though she had been painted with roses. She implements diction to catch your attention. An example of this, on the front page, is "blood." Dillard also takes her writing to a level above the average high school student. One has to be very bright to catch some of her allusions, and she will also throw in some Latin once in awhile, just to add something different. All in all, I am glad I read this book, because it was very entertaining. It was not boring, as I had expected it to be.
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