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Thoreau at Walden
Henry David Thoreau's inspiring words are set against minimalist drawings in this poetic graphic biography from the Center for Cartoon Studies, reissued for a new audience. Now in paperback!
"I am convinced, both by faith and experience, that to maintain one's self on this earth is not a hardship, but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely."
So said Henry David Thoreau in 1845 when he began his famous experiment of living by Walden Pond. In this graphic masterpiece, John Porcellino uses only the words of Thoreau himself to tell the story of those two years off the beaten track. The pared-down text focuses on Thoreau's most profound ideas, and Porcellino's fresh, simple pictures bring the philosopher's sojourn at Walden to cinematic life. For readers who know Walden intimately, this graphic treatment will provide a vivid new interpretation of Thoreau's story.
For those who have never read (or never completed!) the original, it presents a contemporary look at a few brave words to live by.
"I am convinced, both by faith and experience, that to maintain one's self on this earth is not a hardship, but a pastime, if we will live simply and wisely."
So said Henry David Thoreau in 1845 when he began his famous experiment of living by Walden Pond. In this graphic masterpiece, John Porcellino uses only the words of Thoreau himself to tell the story of those two years off the beaten track. The pared-down text focuses on Thoreau's most profound ideas, and Porcellino's fresh, simple pictures bring the philosopher's sojourn at Walden to cinematic life. For readers who know Walden intimately, this graphic treatment will provide a vivid new interpretation of Thoreau's story.
For those who have never read (or never completed!) the original, it presents a contemporary look at a few brave words to live by.
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2008
10 people are currently reading
918 people want to read
About the author
John Porcellino
55 books211 followersJOHN PORCELLINO was born in Chicago, in 1968, and has been writing, drawing, and publishing minicomics, comics, and graphic novels for over twenty-five years. His celebrated self-published series
King-Cat Comics
, begun in 1989, has inspired a generation of cartoonists.
Diary of a Mosquito Abatement Man
, a collection of King-Cat stories about Porcellino’s experiences as a pest control worker, won an Ignatz Award in 2005, and
Perfect Example
, first published in 2000, chronicles his struggles with depression as a teenager.
Thoreau at Walden
is a poetic expression of the great philosopher’s experience and ideals, and
King-Cat Classix
and
Map of My Heart
, published by Drawn and Quarterly, comprise the first two volumes of a comprehensive King-Cat history.
According to cartoonist Chris Ware, "John Porcellino's comics distill, in just a few lines and words, the feeling of simply being alive."
According to cartoonist Chris Ware, "John Porcellino's comics distill, in just a few lines and words, the feeling of simply being alive."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 234 reviews
May 4, 2022
I am if truth be told rather unsure of exactly what I am to think and to make of John Porcellino's 2008 graphic novel Thoreau at Walden. Because while I do love love love reading Henry David Thoreau's inspiring words and find ALL OF THEM (and also how they are presented by John Porcellino in Thoreau at Walden) a great introduction (for readers from about the age of ten or so onwards) to both Henry David Thoreau's general philosophy and of course also specifically to his time residing at Walden Pond (and that I certainly tend get considerably more reading pleasure, enlightenment and a sense of sweet and sustaining kindred spiritedness out of Henry David Thoreau than I am and have ever been able to able to receive and obtain from most of the American Transcendentalists and in particular so from my personal object of Transcendentalist annoyance and fury Bronson Alcott), I also cannot say that I am aesthetically all that enamoured of John Porcellino's artwork, and that this kind of and most unfortunately does make me consider Thoreau at Walden not altogether a successful marriage and combination of text and images, and thus also not totally successful as a graphic novel either.
Yes indeed, John Porcellino's illustrations for Thoreau at Walden do certainly and quite obviously mirror the often rather deceptive simplicity of Henry David Thoreau's writing and thoughts, and I do as such also appreciate that Porcellino's artwork is never either too busy or too visually complicated, so that that on each page of Thoreau at Walden, Thoreau's words, his thoughts and musings shine brightly and are also and fortunately never once being visually overpowered and overcome, overtaken by the featured illustrations (and which is in my humble opinion often a rather major issue with graphic novels and in particular with graphic novels showcasing authors and philosophers, so I do certainly enjoy that John Porcellino does not fall into this type of an illustrative trap for Thoreau at Walden and that he keeps his pictures simple and unexaggerated).
However, albeit that I appreciate the visual simplicity of John Porcellino's artwork for Thoreau at Walden, I also find Porcellino's pictures much too stylised, too unrealistic and the general colouir scheme used more than a bit too sparse and lacking, leaving illustrations that to and for me could really use a bit of visual oomph and have a bit more of a naturalistic bent to them. And thus with regard to Thoreau at Walden, while I most definitely do consider this graphic novel a pretty nicely shown and rendered general introduction to Henry David Thoreau and to his famous Walden Pond, for me personally, John Porecellino's artwork is simply not altogether visually pleasant enough and that as such my final rating for Thoreau at Walden cannot really be higher than three stars (although I do still quite warmly recommend Thoreau at Walden since tastes in visual representation are personal and variable, and that the featured written words of Henry David Thoreau as presented in Thoreau at Walden, these are of course and naturally oh so much wonderful and spectacular).
Yes indeed, John Porcellino's illustrations for Thoreau at Walden do certainly and quite obviously mirror the often rather deceptive simplicity of Henry David Thoreau's writing and thoughts, and I do as such also appreciate that Porcellino's artwork is never either too busy or too visually complicated, so that that on each page of Thoreau at Walden, Thoreau's words, his thoughts and musings shine brightly and are also and fortunately never once being visually overpowered and overcome, overtaken by the featured illustrations (and which is in my humble opinion often a rather major issue with graphic novels and in particular with graphic novels showcasing authors and philosophers, so I do certainly enjoy that John Porcellino does not fall into this type of an illustrative trap for Thoreau at Walden and that he keeps his pictures simple and unexaggerated).
However, albeit that I appreciate the visual simplicity of John Porcellino's artwork for Thoreau at Walden, I also find Porcellino's pictures much too stylised, too unrealistic and the general colouir scheme used more than a bit too sparse and lacking, leaving illustrations that to and for me could really use a bit of visual oomph and have a bit more of a naturalistic bent to them. And thus with regard to Thoreau at Walden, while I most definitely do consider this graphic novel a pretty nicely shown and rendered general introduction to Henry David Thoreau and to his famous Walden Pond, for me personally, John Porecellino's artwork is simply not altogether visually pleasant enough and that as such my final rating for Thoreau at Walden cannot really be higher than three stars (although I do still quite warmly recommend Thoreau at Walden since tastes in visual representation are personal and variable, and that the featured written words of Henry David Thoreau as presented in Thoreau at Walden, these are of course and naturally oh so much wonderful and spectacular).
June 14, 2008
Henry David Thoreau's words put into a graphic novel. The simple illustrations define his dedication to a life of simplicity. I liked it. Any other Thoreau fans out there?
May 1, 2008
Credit The Center for Cartoon Studies with this much; it isn’t your everyday average run-of-the-mill comic book variety factory. I mean, any schlub can slap together a bunch of panels, paste in some vague dialogue and facts, and then create enough computer images to declare their product a graphic novel bio of such n’ such a figure. It’s much harder when you want to do something a little more original with your subject. When The Center produced Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow last year, they didn’t make it some rote retelling of facts. Instead they created a story around their subject, placing Satchel at the center of the action rather than the story. I was curious to see how they’d tackle their next project: Henry David Thoreau. The result was not what I’d expected. Simplifying everything down to its most essential components, John Porcellino takes Thoreau’s Walden and conveys ideas through the minimum words and images needed to tell his tale. Its success is dependent entirely on the reader’s willingness to play along.
Separated into four seasons, the reader follows Henry David Thoreau as he spends time living on his own alongside Walden Pond. Snatches of his writings from the time dot the text, with much of the attention paid to his quieter moments of pause and reflection. Watching an owl in a tree, standing in the rain, or sitting in the middle of a boat in the center of his pond, artist John Porcellino allows us the chance to experience the simple miracles of the everyday through Thoreau’s eyes. With an almost minimalist style of cartooning, we see Porcellino recount the incident with the poll tax and other well-known moments, but for the most part this is a book that takes Thoreau’s message to heart and seeks to present a book that conveys the message of Walden visually rather than with words.
I was pleased to see that D.B. Johnson was responsible for the Introduction to this book. Best known for his Henry picture books ( Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, Henry Works, etc.) starring a Thoreaunized bear, Johnson delivers a beautiful summary of Thoreau’s life, his ideas, and the way in which John Porcellino has captured the his spirit with remarkably few lines. Says Johnson, “You may regret that not all of Thoreau’s words are here, but I do not. His words are among the most quoted of any writer and are found everywhere today. What could not be found until now are the countless moments of silence that Thoreau experienced at Walden Pond.” I see it this way; anyone can relay a person's words. It takes a special talent to relay a person's peace of mind. I would also say that Johnson’s Introduction is essential reading before you start in on the story. If you don’t understand that this is a book that hopes to capture the quiet moments between Thoreau’s thoughts then you might be confused as to why not much happens in the story. As Porcellino says of his book, it is, “not a definitive or chronological account of Thoreau’s stay at the pond, but rather an impression of his experience there.”
My husband was unconvinced of Porcellino’s cartooning talent. And it would be fair to say that many people could pick up this book and see it as childlike and simplistic. But I suppose that Porcellino was paired specifically with Thoreau because the simplicity of his line echoes the simplicity of the text. I began to wonder if the story could have been improved it had been in color. Thus far the books created by The Center for Cartoon Studies have all been black and white. This cuts down on costs, but something about this book felt like it should have had color in it. Not gross shadings and undulating tones, but straightforward blues for the lake, greens for the trees, and the color of a huckleberry hanging off a bush. If any book deserved it, this one did.
I know that when some people read in Johnson’s Introduction that Porcellino has reduced Thoreau’s words to a minimum, they’re going to be concerned. To what extent do you trust a comic book artist to adapt an American philosopher? Porcellino’s Afterword addresses the changes that he has made, and it certainly put my heart at ease to hear him describe what he did. “All the words in this book, with a few exceptions (noted below), come directly from Thoreau’s published writings (though I’ve taken the liberty of altering punctuation when necessary, and combining, and rearranging the quotations to make the story flow.” To account for all of this he has a complete list of Quotation Sources at the end of the book detailing each quote and where it can be found “in editions of Thoreau’s work that are currently in print and easily available.” The book’s last few pages also contain a map, Panel Discussions, and a Bibliography of works about both Walden and Thoreau.
Thoreau at Walden would pair beautifully with a high school or college course in which students had to read Walden on their own. I know that had I read this book (and its Introduction) when I was younger I might have been able to understand a lot more of what Thoreau was trying to say. Advocates of civil disobedience, environmentalism, simple living, vegetarianism, and more adore him. It only stands to reason that we should find ways to get his books into the hands of our children. And Thoreau at Walden is now the number one method of doing so.
For ages 9 and up.
Separated into four seasons, the reader follows Henry David Thoreau as he spends time living on his own alongside Walden Pond. Snatches of his writings from the time dot the text, with much of the attention paid to his quieter moments of pause and reflection. Watching an owl in a tree, standing in the rain, or sitting in the middle of a boat in the center of his pond, artist John Porcellino allows us the chance to experience the simple miracles of the everyday through Thoreau’s eyes. With an almost minimalist style of cartooning, we see Porcellino recount the incident with the poll tax and other well-known moments, but for the most part this is a book that takes Thoreau’s message to heart and seeks to present a book that conveys the message of Walden visually rather than with words.
I was pleased to see that D.B. Johnson was responsible for the Introduction to this book. Best known for his Henry picture books ( Henry Hikes to Fitchburg, Henry Works, etc.) starring a Thoreaunized bear, Johnson delivers a beautiful summary of Thoreau’s life, his ideas, and the way in which John Porcellino has captured the his spirit with remarkably few lines. Says Johnson, “You may regret that not all of Thoreau’s words are here, but I do not. His words are among the most quoted of any writer and are found everywhere today. What could not be found until now are the countless moments of silence that Thoreau experienced at Walden Pond.” I see it this way; anyone can relay a person's words. It takes a special talent to relay a person's peace of mind. I would also say that Johnson’s Introduction is essential reading before you start in on the story. If you don’t understand that this is a book that hopes to capture the quiet moments between Thoreau’s thoughts then you might be confused as to why not much happens in the story. As Porcellino says of his book, it is, “not a definitive or chronological account of Thoreau’s stay at the pond, but rather an impression of his experience there.”
My husband was unconvinced of Porcellino’s cartooning talent. And it would be fair to say that many people could pick up this book and see it as childlike and simplistic. But I suppose that Porcellino was paired specifically with Thoreau because the simplicity of his line echoes the simplicity of the text. I began to wonder if the story could have been improved it had been in color. Thus far the books created by The Center for Cartoon Studies have all been black and white. This cuts down on costs, but something about this book felt like it should have had color in it. Not gross shadings and undulating tones, but straightforward blues for the lake, greens for the trees, and the color of a huckleberry hanging off a bush. If any book deserved it, this one did.
I know that when some people read in Johnson’s Introduction that Porcellino has reduced Thoreau’s words to a minimum, they’re going to be concerned. To what extent do you trust a comic book artist to adapt an American philosopher? Porcellino’s Afterword addresses the changes that he has made, and it certainly put my heart at ease to hear him describe what he did. “All the words in this book, with a few exceptions (noted below), come directly from Thoreau’s published writings (though I’ve taken the liberty of altering punctuation when necessary, and combining, and rearranging the quotations to make the story flow.” To account for all of this he has a complete list of Quotation Sources at the end of the book detailing each quote and where it can be found “in editions of Thoreau’s work that are currently in print and easily available.” The book’s last few pages also contain a map, Panel Discussions, and a Bibliography of works about both Walden and Thoreau.
Thoreau at Walden would pair beautifully with a high school or college course in which students had to read Walden on their own. I know that had I read this book (and its Introduction) when I was younger I might have been able to understand a lot more of what Thoreau was trying to say. Advocates of civil disobedience, environmentalism, simple living, vegetarianism, and more adore him. It only stands to reason that we should find ways to get his books into the hands of our children. And Thoreau at Walden is now the number one method of doing so.
For ages 9 and up.
January 16, 2022
4 out of 10
This book is terribly okay. I was intrigued by Thoreau's story and advice, but the artwork in this book is very dated and uninspired. I am a firm believer that the quality of the art in a graphic novel, should be secondary to the story, but the artwork felt so rushed and unneeded. Sure, Thoreau's philosophical thoughts and his story are interesting, but I don't see why there needed to be these illustrations.
In most of the illustrations, Thoreau is just depicted doing random stuff, and half of the time it didn't really correlate to the text in the panels. The artwork also isn't particularly interesting or inspiring, as there are numerous mistakes and things weren't filled in most of the time. The artwork looked like someone was on a tight deadline to get it done, there didn't appear to be a lot of passion or love put into them.
While reading this book, it made me question why it was made. Sure, maybe it is to expose children to the work of Thoreau, but it felt more like a rushed product with Thoreau's name on it, in order to get people to purchase it. Most of the time, the artwork wouldn't relate, (or very loosely relate) to what the text said. I don't know how to conclude my thoughts on the book, other than I wouldn't really recommend it.
This book is terribly okay. I was intrigued by Thoreau's story and advice, but the artwork in this book is very dated and uninspired. I am a firm believer that the quality of the art in a graphic novel, should be secondary to the story, but the artwork felt so rushed and unneeded. Sure, Thoreau's philosophical thoughts and his story are interesting, but I don't see why there needed to be these illustrations.
In most of the illustrations, Thoreau is just depicted doing random stuff, and half of the time it didn't really correlate to the text in the panels. The artwork also isn't particularly interesting or inspiring, as there are numerous mistakes and things weren't filled in most of the time. The artwork looked like someone was on a tight deadline to get it done, there didn't appear to be a lot of passion or love put into them.
While reading this book, it made me question why it was made. Sure, maybe it is to expose children to the work of Thoreau, but it felt more like a rushed product with Thoreau's name on it, in order to get people to purchase it. Most of the time, the artwork wouldn't relate, (or very loosely relate) to what the text said. I don't know how to conclude my thoughts on the book, other than I wouldn't really recommend it.
August 10, 2015
I don't quite know what to think about transcendentalists. Do they truly believe in the benignity of nature? Or just its awesomeness? I can't say I dislike the romantic poets, but I don't agree with their idealistic, self-centered understanding of nature, and those guys are some of transcendentalism's big influences.
I guess I tend to think of Thoreau as a self-absorbed poet, an idealist, a guy who got to have a really awesome writing retreat in a cabin on a friend's nice, safe property with a lake (aka pond?): "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful feature. It is earth's eye looking into which the beholder measures the depths of his own nature." Apparently his ideas have been influential and useful to lots of other people, though I am pretty sure they aren't really his ideas, but a mishmosh of ideas taken from eastern and western philosophies and religions and brought together in a certain way. I suppose that is how it generally happens.
Porcellino's Thoreau is a little bit Disney and a little bit rock-n-roll. The simplicity and cartooniness, for me, gets at the profundity and also the silliness of Thoreau's thinking. The self-consciousness with which he goes about being in the natural world and the absurdity of his insistence that everyone could live a similarly simple life if they only valued experiential wealth above the monetary kind. "Shall we always study to obtain more of these things...and not sometimes be content with less?" While I agree with this sentiment, Thoreau is not attuned to the real need for basic resources and the fact that not everyone has access to cabins, lakes, land, food, etc.
Porcellino does a great job of keeping a quiet, reverent narrative going and matching images with text in a way that creates an atmospheric quality that seems right for the book. That said, I'm not unambivalent about this book and I'd be curious to see a few different graphic interpretations of Thoreau's writing.
Apparently "The Center For Cartoon Studies" has a series of graphic bios of sorts? I look forward to reading more.
I guess I tend to think of Thoreau as a self-absorbed poet, an idealist, a guy who got to have a really awesome writing retreat in a cabin on a friend's nice, safe property with a lake (aka pond?): "A lake is the landscape's most beautiful feature. It is earth's eye looking into which the beholder measures the depths of his own nature." Apparently his ideas have been influential and useful to lots of other people, though I am pretty sure they aren't really his ideas, but a mishmosh of ideas taken from eastern and western philosophies and religions and brought together in a certain way. I suppose that is how it generally happens.
Porcellino's Thoreau is a little bit Disney and a little bit rock-n-roll. The simplicity and cartooniness, for me, gets at the profundity and also the silliness of Thoreau's thinking. The self-consciousness with which he goes about being in the natural world and the absurdity of his insistence that everyone could live a similarly simple life if they only valued experiential wealth above the monetary kind. "Shall we always study to obtain more of these things...and not sometimes be content with less?" While I agree with this sentiment, Thoreau is not attuned to the real need for basic resources and the fact that not everyone has access to cabins, lakes, land, food, etc.
Porcellino does a great job of keeping a quiet, reverent narrative going and matching images with text in a way that creates an atmospheric quality that seems right for the book. That said, I'm not unambivalent about this book and I'd be curious to see a few different graphic interpretations of Thoreau's writing.
Apparently "The Center For Cartoon Studies" has a series of graphic bios of sorts? I look forward to reading more.
March 14, 2018
A graphic novel of Walden. The words are perfect, but the illustrations are so simple, too simple, really.
July 8, 2017
"I rejoice that there are owls."
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
Nice summary of much of the man's philosophy, much of what he learned and shared that influences us today. Good at capturing the quiet withdrawal of the experience; as the wonderful D.B. Johnson says in his intro., Thoreau was not a hermit, but opportunities for reverie were important to him.
Includes author's note and other appendices.
I still prefer Johnson's picture-book series about Henry (drawn as a bear). But this is a good, and important, introduction to HDT for an underserved audience.
"Goodness is the only investment that never fails."
Nice summary of much of the man's philosophy, much of what he learned and shared that influences us today. Good at capturing the quiet withdrawal of the experience; as the wonderful D.B. Johnson says in his intro., Thoreau was not a hermit, but opportunities for reverie were important to him.
Includes author's note and other appendices.
I still prefer Johnson's picture-book series about Henry (drawn as a bear). But this is a good, and important, introduction to HDT for an underserved audience.
February 4, 2019
I found this much more readable than the original. That being said, I tried to read the original a long time ago.
December 31, 2024
3.5 stars
I, too, rejoice that there are owls.
I, too, rejoice that there are owls.
October 3, 2025
I enjoyed this one!
It’s the story of a philosopher who decides to move to an isolated area near a pond and try to live on the minimum and focus on his outlook for success.
Short quick read with simple art (fits the story perfectly)
Recommended!
It’s the story of a philosopher who decides to move to an isolated area near a pond and try to live on the minimum and focus on his outlook for success.
Short quick read with simple art (fits the story perfectly)
Recommended!
March 9, 2010
For students who are not familiar with Henry David Thoreau, or who want to review his reflectiond at Walden, this graphic novel presents his time there in four parts: 1) his choice to live on Walden Pond; 2) what he learned there about himself and nature; 3) the incident that inspired his treatise on Civil Disobedience; and 4) his decision to leave Walden.
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation..." observes Thoreau in a bubble over a simple drawing of the Prologue. The text is the first to appear- in frame 7. Artist and author, John Porcellino employs a number of wordless frames- tiny moments of silence interupted by profound thoughts- to give voice to Thoreau's thinking and his writings. It is an interesting and successful technique. He also begins the text with a short biography which provides background knowledge to the man he represents. This is a graphic novel in format, but it is biographical in nature, showing the potential of the medium to transmit far more than the fictions graphics are known for. This work could introduce Thoreau to a younger audience- upper elementary?- or stir interest in studying him at a higher level.
"The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation..." observes Thoreau in a bubble over a simple drawing of the Prologue. The text is the first to appear- in frame 7. Artist and author, John Porcellino employs a number of wordless frames- tiny moments of silence interupted by profound thoughts- to give voice to Thoreau's thinking and his writings. It is an interesting and successful technique. He also begins the text with a short biography which provides background knowledge to the man he represents. This is a graphic novel in format, but it is biographical in nature, showing the potential of the medium to transmit far more than the fictions graphics are known for. This work could introduce Thoreau to a younger audience- upper elementary?- or stir interest in studying him at a higher level.
March 16, 2017
Story: 3 stars
Art: 2 stars
I'm excited to see a graphic biography of Thoreau, but am disappointed in the execution of this book. The idea to use only Thoreau's own words is intriguing, but the text feels choppy and incomplete to me. Still, there are some great lines in here, of course, since they are direct quotes from Thoreau's own writing (cited in the back of the book). I'm just not sure there is enough here for children/teens, who are most likely just being introduced to Thoreau, to grab onto and maintain interest.
But this graphic novel's main shortcoming is the mismatch between the subject matter and the art style. The more iconic, simplified, even primitive style of drawing does not convey Walden Pond authentically or recognizably. The black, white, and beige color palette could not be more drab and inappropriate. Where is all the lush nature in which Thoreau immersed himself?
Some historical notes and a bibliography are included in the back of the book. This is one of the graphic novels put out by the Center for Cartoon Studies, in their biography series.
Art: 2 stars
I'm excited to see a graphic biography of Thoreau, but am disappointed in the execution of this book. The idea to use only Thoreau's own words is intriguing, but the text feels choppy and incomplete to me. Still, there are some great lines in here, of course, since they are direct quotes from Thoreau's own writing (cited in the back of the book). I'm just not sure there is enough here for children/teens, who are most likely just being introduced to Thoreau, to grab onto and maintain interest.
But this graphic novel's main shortcoming is the mismatch between the subject matter and the art style. The more iconic, simplified, even primitive style of drawing does not convey Walden Pond authentically or recognizably. The black, white, and beige color palette could not be more drab and inappropriate. Where is all the lush nature in which Thoreau immersed himself?
Some historical notes and a bibliography are included in the back of the book. This is one of the graphic novels put out by the Center for Cartoon Studies, in their biography series.
June 13, 2011
I feel like this book gave me a glimpse into Thoreau's heart, rather than his head. Or maybe this condensed, illustrated version of Walden speaks more to my heart than to my head. Thoreau's words are here, yes, purposeful and stirring, but so is the space between the words, the quiet, transcendent moments that the telling alone has only pointed to.
October 8, 2014
this was a very good book. i thought it was a great read and the length was right. the book is about a man who us liveing in the woods neer waldon pond.
i gave it a 4 star rateing becaus itvwas a good book and also a good author. i enjoyed the book a lot. i recomend this book to someone who likes mystery books. it is also an easy book to read too.
i gave it a 4 star rateing becaus itvwas a good book and also a good author. i enjoyed the book a lot. i recomend this book to someone who likes mystery books. it is also an easy book to read too.
August 13, 2016
for me, the style of the illustrations did not match with the text. you have these beautiful, eloquent passages from thoreau against extremely simple and sparse line drawings. it just didn't work for me.
October 14, 2018
I’m glad I read this book. Even though I found it hard at times to feel the depth of sentiment in some of the graphics, I very much enjoyed part 3 of the book and revisiting some of Thoreau’s observations on isolation, purpose and presence in our daily lives.
October 26, 2018
Literally read this in five minutes but the simplicity of the lines made me happy. “You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods that all its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you.” FUCKIN TRUTH. My fiancé and I used to sit on this giant rock by the river for hours and the geese would just float mere inches from us, eye us up and continue on their way. Never bothered, never attacked even when they were with their young. That’s the closest to becoming a goose I have ever been. Don’t like geese? Screw you. They’re adorable. They don’t like you either because you’re probably an asshole.
May 7, 2022
I don’t know if I’m in a bad place or what but this is the second book by John P. I’ve read and had the same reaction. I’m moved, almost spiritual, by the simplicity and the spirit of his work. It’s inspiring.
October 29, 2021
Simple in formatting and just as though provoking as the real work :)
August 1, 2022
Sitting in the garden and reading this filled my heart with joy.
August 22, 2020
روایت مصوّر و جمع و جوری از زندگی و کَندن ِ هنری دیوید ثورو از خانه و کاشانه و شغل معلمی، و پناه بردن به طبیعت اطراف دریاچهٔ والدن. مناسب برای نوجوانان ِ تا گردنْ فرو رفته در عالم مَجاز.
April 19, 2025
With the simple drawings and very few words, this graphic interpretation of On Walden won't take long to read. It has some of the most famous lines and happenings from the book, but glosses over a lot. If you read the introduction and end notes, you'll learn most of what you need to. His message of living simply is a bit dated and rooted in privilege, but I can appreciate his meaning and how a simple life can lead to peace and well-being.
September 29, 2020
هنری دیوید ثورو، نویسنده، شاعر، فیلسوف و طبیعتگرای آمریکایی، آرزو داشت اگر هر لحظه مرگش رسید، حسرت یک زندگی طبیعی، آرام و دور از هیاهوی اقتصادی و اجتماعی بر دلش نباشد. او که درسخوانده دانشگاه هاروارد بود، آن هم بیش از صد و پنجاه سال پیش، تصمیم گرفت از دولت، دین، سیستم آموزشی، جامعه و سبک زندگی که مثل هزاران انسان دیگر از جایی دیگر، برایش برنامهریزی شده بود، بِبُرد و دو سال و دو ماه در نقطهای جنگلی دور از شهر، زندگی کند. او از چیزهایی دست کشید که حس میکرد، عمرش را هدر میدهند. برای او نیازهای معنوی، عاطفی و طبیعی انسان و رابطه انسان با طبیعت بسیار مهمتر از رابطه با اشیا بود. ثورو معتقد بود، انسان هر چقدر به خودش وابسته و خودبسنده شود، سادهزیست باشد و خودش را از قرضهای مختلف نجات دهد، زندگی خوشتر و باکیفیتتری را تجربه می کند. قرضهای مورد نظر او همین وامها و بدهیهای بانکی است که نزدیک به یکونیم قرن بعد ما همچنان درگیرشان هستیم. آقای ثورو، در سالهایی که هنوز عمری از مدرنیزهشدن جهان نمیگذشت، سادهزیستی آگاهانه و از روی انتخاب شخصی را ملاک قرار داد و اسیر دام بازار و برده اقتصاد و بانک نشدن را در پیش گرفت تا مثل بقیه آدمها در طول زندگی، با بیشتر خریدن، خودش را مقروض و مدیون نکند. او زندگی در کنار تالاب «والدن» در ایالت ماساچوست را انتخاب کرد. ثورو معتقد بود انسان نباید ابزارِ ابزارش شود، پس با خودش تَبَر بُرد و به اندازه نیازش درخت بُرید و یک کلبه چوبی کوچک با کمترین هزینه ساخت؛ با آجرهایی که قبلا استفاده شده بود و وسایل دست دوم و اشیا دورریختنی مردم. کنار کلبهاش هم یک زمین کوچک را با کاشت حبوبات آباد کرد، با جزئیاتی که نوشت تا بداند چطور باید مصرفش را با مزرعه کوچکش تنظیم کند. او در یادداشتهای روزانهاش نوشته، این خوراکها به روحش میرسد، به کسی بدهکار نیست، وام و قرضی ندارد و نگران هیچ بخش اضافهای از زندگیش نیست. هنری دیوید ثورو صد و شصت و شش سال پیش جزئیات همین سیر و سلوک را از لحظه تصمیم سختی که گرفته تا ساخت کلبه و این سبک زندگی در کتابی به نام «والدن؛ یا زندگی در جنگل» نوشته است. سالها بعد، دهها شکل دیگر از این کتاب چاپ شد. کتاب «ثورو در والدن» یکی از اینهاست برای بچهها در سن ده تا چهارده سالگی. ثورو به بچهها هم نشان میدهد، ثروتمندترین انسان ک��ی است که لذتهایش، ارزانترینند.
- این کتاب به فارسی ترجمه نشده اما کتاب والدن نوشته ثورو ظاهرا با دو ترجمه منتشر شده.
- این کتاب به فارسی ترجمه نشده اما کتاب والدن نوشته ثورو ظاهرا با دو ترجمه منتشر شده.
May 17, 2024
Short, a good introduction to Walden. I appreciated the notes in the back that added context to the sparse drawings.
October 24, 2022
An accessible graphic distillation of the major parts of Walden with an informative introduction and conclusion, as well as a frame-by-frame explanation of each illustration. A good resource for English Teachers and students studying Thoreau, but not a replacement for the essays.
February 10, 2013
I'm very interested in what Thoreau was exploring at Walden, and I find this simple graphic novel to be a very approachable introduction for people like me. The beginning talks about how this not only quotes some of the things Thoreau wrote at Walden, but it also captures some of the quiet, reflective moments that he certainly had (observing an owl, waking up in the sunshine, bathing in the pond) and integrates them with the conclusions he came to while he was there. I also appreciated the actual writings of Thoreau, they gave me a lot to think about and I think this could provide surprising opportunities for discussion groups.
Two criticisms: the illustrations are very rudimentary. I realize this is kind of a reflection of Thoreau's philosophy of simplicity, which I can respect, but it's so simple that is becomes boring, especially the near-monochromatic color palette. Kind of a let-down when juxtaposed with Thoreau's infatuation with the beauty of nature around him. Also, this seems to be aimed at a young audience, but I think some of the quotes from Thoreau are just too complex to be understood by anyone younger than mid-teens. I know we're sort of getting the highlights here, but in an effort to stay as close to direct quotes as possible, I think it's still a bit advanced. Abstract lines like, "in the wildness is the preservation of the world." I do have to admit, though, there are a lot of exquisite lines, too.
I also have to say: there is a fantastic afterword which provides context and greater detail for the entire graphic novel, including sources for every single quotation in the book. You have to admire the amount of research that went into this: not only the thorough study of his writings, but gathering the bits and details and putting them into the logical flow of a story. There is real eloquence in how the book is put together, leading to an exquisite final page.
All in all well done. Lots to enjoy and think about here.
Two criticisms: the illustrations are very rudimentary. I realize this is kind of a reflection of Thoreau's philosophy of simplicity, which I can respect, but it's so simple that is becomes boring, especially the near-monochromatic color palette. Kind of a let-down when juxtaposed with Thoreau's infatuation with the beauty of nature around him. Also, this seems to be aimed at a young audience, but I think some of the quotes from Thoreau are just too complex to be understood by anyone younger than mid-teens. I know we're sort of getting the highlights here, but in an effort to stay as close to direct quotes as possible, I think it's still a bit advanced. Abstract lines like, "in the wildness is the preservation of the world." I do have to admit, though, there are a lot of exquisite lines, too.
I also have to say: there is a fantastic afterword which provides context and greater detail for the entire graphic novel, including sources for every single quotation in the book. You have to admire the amount of research that went into this: not only the thorough study of his writings, but gathering the bits and details and putting them into the logical flow of a story. There is real eloquence in how the book is put together, leading to an exquisite final page.
All in all well done. Lots to enjoy and think about here.
October 24, 2012
Thoreau at Walden by John Porcellino is a graphic treatment based on the writings of Henry David Thoreau. Using simple line drawings and selected excerpts from Thoreau's Walden, Porcellino retells the story of America's first environmentalist and his experiences living at Walden Pond.[return][return]The book begins with an outstanding introduction by D.B. Johnson introducing Thoreau to readers. [return][return]The body of the book is displayed comic-style with a mixture of captions and speech bubbles. Those who already know the story will enjoy picking out the famous quotes and anecdotes, while students new to Thoreau will be provided with an introduction that's likely to stimulate further reading. Although many of the famous quotes are included, many are left out. It's interesting to think about what you would include and exclude in creating this type of graphic interpretation. [return][return]The last section of the book provided insights into the way Porcellino wove Thoreau's text throughout the book. It was particularly interesting to read passages by Thoreau that appear as wordless illustrations in the book. For instance, Thoreau's experience with an owl is told by Porcellino without the use of words.[return][return]I envision teachers pairing this experience with the Henry series by D.B. Johnson including Henry Hikes to Fitchberg. It would also be interesting for young people to take a virtual visit to Walden Pond using Google Earth. Those interested in reading the entire works of Henry David Thoreau can read most of them at Websites online.[return][return]This is one in a series of graphic biographies from The Center for Cartoon Studies. Each book provides an interesting insight into a well-known person.[return][return]I highly recommend Thoreau at Walden along with the other graphic biographies from The Center for Cartoon Studies.
January 22, 2019
There are some things that, when you put them together, you get the sense that they were always destined to be joined. Henry David Thoreau and John Porcellino are one such duo; Thoreau, the transcendentalist nature lover, and Porcellino, the gentle cartoonist-visionary, were made for one another. Produced in partnership with Disney and the Center For Cartoon Studies, “Thoreau At Walden” brings these two kindred spirits together at last, with Porcellino’s minimalist, Zen-like art giving new perspective to Thoreau’s beloved chronicle of finding peace and harmony with nature.
For those who don’t know, Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” is the timeless account of the young writer/philosopher’s time living a simple, unencumbered life in the woods outside his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. And John Porcellino’s “King-Cat Comics” is the influential self-published zine of subtle, tender autobiographical stories that is credited with revolutionizing indie comics. Their work actually mirrors each other’s in many ways, particularly in their reverence for the environment, their quest for a stripped-down existence, and their deep empathy for their fellow men and women. Together, this version “Thoreau At Walden” transforms the traditional text into something more akin to a poem, with silence and a languid rhythm becoming essential parts of the book. It’s a tremendous adaptation - if not strictly faithful - from two men who, though separated by more than one hundred years, bring out the best in one another.
What else can I say? In these hectic times of political upheaval, technological chaos, and social division, “Thoreau At Walden” is a soothing balm. I really loved it and it was just what I needed lately. Beautiful work!
For those who don’t know, Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden” is the timeless account of the young writer/philosopher’s time living a simple, unencumbered life in the woods outside his hometown of Concord, Massachusetts. And John Porcellino’s “King-Cat Comics” is the influential self-published zine of subtle, tender autobiographical stories that is credited with revolutionizing indie comics. Their work actually mirrors each other’s in many ways, particularly in their reverence for the environment, their quest for a stripped-down existence, and their deep empathy for their fellow men and women. Together, this version “Thoreau At Walden” transforms the traditional text into something more akin to a poem, with silence and a languid rhythm becoming essential parts of the book. It’s a tremendous adaptation - if not strictly faithful - from two men who, though separated by more than one hundred years, bring out the best in one another.
What else can I say? In these hectic times of political upheaval, technological chaos, and social division, “Thoreau At Walden” is a soothing balm. I really loved it and it was just what I needed lately. Beautiful work!
February 14, 2019
"Thoreau at Walden" is a rendering in words and images of some of Thoreau's basic ideas apparently targeted at gradeschoolers. Though some of the language and concepts might be a bit much for youngsters, the simple illustrations (entirely white and sepia, except for the cover) could appeal to all ages. My personal favorite drawings were of the owl :)
For those who have already read "Walden", this basic revisiting of some of its most famous ideas provides inspiring and welcome reminders....and may bring to the fore some that didn't stand out before.
For example, I was intrigued by Thoreau's contemplation that "(o)ur village would stagnate if it were not for the unexplored forests and meadows which surround it. At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplainable...We need to witness our own limits transgressed and some life pasturing freely where we never wander" (80-82). Humans need mystery and places not yet explored in order to have a balanced psyche, Thoreau seems to be suggesting, and the untainted wilderness is the place to find these things, or to at least know they exist. Sadly, such wilderness is harder and harder to find in our all-too-developed world, much to the detriment of both humans and animals.
Diatribe aside, "Thoreau at Walden", is thoughtfully put together, and I'm sure any reader will find some worthy idea to take away from it; young readers will perhaps later be inspired to read the complete classic.
For those who have already read "Walden", this basic revisiting of some of its most famous ideas provides inspiring and welcome reminders....and may bring to the fore some that didn't stand out before.
For example, I was intrigued by Thoreau's contemplation that "(o)ur village would stagnate if it were not for the unexplored forests and meadows which surround it. At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplainable...We need to witness our own limits transgressed and some life pasturing freely where we never wander" (80-82). Humans need mystery and places not yet explored in order to have a balanced psyche, Thoreau seems to be suggesting, and the untainted wilderness is the place to find these things, or to at least know they exist. Sadly, such wilderness is harder and harder to find in our all-too-developed world, much to the detriment of both humans and animals.
Diatribe aside, "Thoreau at Walden", is thoughtfully put together, and I'm sure any reader will find some worthy idea to take away from it; young readers will perhaps later be inspired to read the complete classic.
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