Walden, Henry David Thoreau
This is by far my favourite book, and that’s a hard thing for me to say as I have many favourite authors. In this biographical social commentary Thoreau takes us with him as he retreats into the Concord woods to Walden Lake and establishes his solitary, cabin-dwelling life. What really pulls me into this book is the fact that the commentary he provides in 1854 is still as relevant today as ever. He critiques waste, consumerism, fear of solitude, and superficial living. The most interesting of his critiques by far though relates to the rapid technological advancements that our civilization blindly cheers as progress. He asks us to consider the fact that not since the steam engine was invented have we ever been able to catch up to the world we are creating around us. Though ‘outdated’ his narrative and journey is one that truly speaks to my heart and impulse to escape from the society. |