The Abundance: Narrative Essays Old and New

This compilation is my first reading of Dillard since the 90s. I'm so pleased to have come back to her. Sadly, it was her passing that reminded me. This collection of essays old and new, though perennially powerful, are so important in these troubled times.

Good reading as always. Annie Dillard's prose can't be beat. However, it is 90% old essays. If you are an Annie Dillard reader, you have read and or own this material already.

At the end of an essay on Seeing (from Pilgrim at Tinker Creek), Dillard writes, "Gradually the lights went out in the cedar, the colors died, the cells unflamed and disappeared. I was still ringing. I had been my whole life a bell, and never knew it until at that moment I was lifted and struck." As for what the lights showed before they went out, you'll have to read the book. But I will say that reading Dillard's extraordinary, utterly original prose, I too felt "struck--over and over again. And I too am "still ringing" with the sense of possibility and curiosity that her observations and insights engendered in me.Dillard's essays are wonderful for anyone who needs to be lifted, whether they know it or not. She brings together countless stories about the weird and wondrous habits of the natural world, reminding me that, truly, there is never an end to what you can learn about life --or rocks or anything else--on this planet. All her observations are woven together with wisdom, humor, and a sense of urgency about how best to spend our fleeting time here.I found it hard to put this book down, even when I didn't quite know where she was going. Reading Dillard is like taking a long walk through the woods with a friend whose stride is enviably long and free, who always seems to know the way, even through the hairiest brambles. It's worth the effort to try and keep up.

So many songs have been sung in praise of the exquisite sensitivity and subtle language of Annie Dillard that I do not feel I have much to add, but I personally love and admire so much the passion with which she feels I am forced to do my part. Some might call her Zen, but she is more than Zen, or perhaps just wanders barefoot outside its boundaries. Like Thoreau she lives so thoroughly in the small acreage she so loves that she goes beyond inviting you in to her world and instead opens up the whole world for all of us. As one learns to see differently after taking up a camera, when oil smears suddenly become electrically lovely, so in reading Annie you start to feel that maybe you're not such a dud after all. You have felt what she writes, too. You couldn't SAY IT, but you have felt exactly that. "Universality" is the word. I am sure she has been translated, but I don't think she could be as beloved in any other language than that in which she writes. The cover of this paperback book is good, too. It conveys the pleasing wetness of mysterious distances, don't you think?

If you enjoy structure and clear cut meaning, this isn’t for you. It reminds me of contemporary art where the meaning and message isn’t always apparent. You have to understand the under tones to appreciate the work. I feel that Annie Dillard’s writing style is such. At times I’m wondering if it’s a diary of a mad person, but the uniqueness doesn’t make it so. Being a devoted Catholic, I was a bit miffed on a few passages ( tone was cynical and brash). This made me grade it a bit lower than 4 stars. I feel we can convey our messages about religion in a respectful tone despite not understanding the depth of its reaches. Overall a decent read that is quite creative.

A Seeker, an Explorer, Jane of all trades. Lover of Life. Backup soprano for the Wildflowers. Love of the Edges.

This is a deep book. I recommend taking it in installments, as it leaves a lot of the creative person to ponder and chew on. I'm not that big of a non-fic reader, but this style is up my ally for sure.I do like a well thought out opinion and world view.

Good book!

Avery interesting and well put together book

Mesmerising, and even often quite mystical, details that fill up the book. The wonder with which Dillard portrays the littlest, biggest, noisiest, quietest and minutest moments is altogether startling!.. Glad to be reading such a work of beauty in creative non-fiction!

Gone through the first chapter after receiving it today. Seems to be very engaging.However, the paper quality is so poor that it doesn’t seem to be an original. That’s why I’ve given only three stars. What’s printed is very good, but on what it is printed is of a poor quality.

I come and go with Annie Dillard - sometimes I find her writing lacks in sympathy. I guess she comes from her intellect. Not necessarily a criticism - just how she writes, but sometimes I wince a little at her starkness.The Total Eclipse was very powerful and is what drew me to buy this book. I tend to compare her with Mary Oliver who wins my heart with each word she puts on paper - which is just my own preference.

Oh, I love this writer. What's more to say? If you want your writing to rock your world like a small earthquake and shake up your tired old view, there's none better.