Nature Writing

[The Comedian]

I'm also interested in nature writing and the solitary individual, it is half of what attracts me to Wordsworth I think. I've also started reading Walden!!!

Reading Walden is like that first sip of Belgian brew: rich, slow, familiar, beautiful. Enjoy!

[JBI]

I awake light-hearted this morning of spring,
Everywhere round me the singing of birds –
But now I remember the night, the storm,
And I wonder how many blossoms were broken.

By Meng Haoran, tr. Bynner
http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wen...Tangshi&no=232

I will admit though, with the sounds of the original removed, it loses something.

Under the crescent moon a light autumn dew
Has chilled the robe she will not change –
And she touches a silver lute all night,
Afraid to go back to her empty room.

by Wang Wei tr. Bynner

http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wen...Tangshi&no=313

[bounty]

if you want to go in the direction of outdoor humor, i whole heartedly recommend reading patrick mcmanus. he writes about his time in the out of doors both as a kid and an adult in idaho and the way he tells stories makes me laugh right out loud.

[Buh4Bee]

Ive just finished Bill Bryson's A Walk in the Woods about hiking the Appalachian Trail. It was interesting and very funny, although Im not sure it fits the profile. It is very positive about the environment, nature and the maintainance of it.

I was going to suggest this book too. It's not Thoreau, but closer to Rachel Carson. I also liked it, but got bored from all the historical/environmental information.

Good list of writers. Kerouac wrote a nice piece about a summer he spent all by himself atop a mountain in Wash. State while watching for forest fires.

It would makes sense that Kerouac would write such a story, even though he is so urban. I'm going to have to look this story up.

Thanks Comedian, great thread!

[LitNetIsGreat]

I think that this is the first time I have seen Bryson's name mentioned on these forums, at least to my limited knowledge and participation. My opinion of him is that he is OK for a bit of fun. He reads like an amusing column in a newspaper, or a big daft hairy uncle, but after 2 or 3 of his books you get the idea...

It would makes sense that Kerouac would write such a story, even though he is so urban. I'm going to have to look this story up.

Thanks Comedian, great thread!

You want Dhama Bums then.

[The Comedian]

Under the crescent moon a light autumn dew
Has chilled the robe she will not change –
And she touches a silver lute all night,
Afraid to go back to her empty room.

by Wang Wei tr. Bynner

http://www.afpc.asso.fr/wengu/wg/wen...Tangshi&no=313

Hey JBI thanks for offering those poems. I greatly enjoyed each of them -- they both offer a moment of connection between the natural world and human experience -- the femininity of moon, music and night, the sense of transition and isolation (the moon, her room), and of occupying a space.

I heartily admit that I know very little of nature-oriented literature from non-English speaking countries; I welcome the chance to learn more.

if you want to go in the direction of outdoor humor, i whole heartedly recommend reading patrick mcmanus. he writes about his time in the out of doors both as a kid and an adult in idaho and the way he tells stories makes me laugh right out loud.

You bring back great memories bounty! I remember my dad reading me McManus when I was a kid (and later I read him on my own as an adult. Still do too). I grew up a hunter and fisherman in earnest. And, I remember laughing out loud to these stories.

Remember the one that deals with an experienced woodsman, a greenhorn,a box of chocolate covered raisins, and a "crunch, chew, chew -- yep, those are fresh"?

[Paulclem]

I think that this is the first time I have seen Bryson's name mentioned on these forums, at least to my limited knowledge and participation. My opinion of him is that he is OK for a bit of fun. He reads like an amusing column in a newspaper, or a big daft hairy uncle, but after 2 or 3 of his books you get the idea...



You want Dhama Bums then.

Have you read Bryson's Shakespeare? Not as amusing as I thought it might be, but his main point about Shakespeare is that very little is known about him. It is, thus, a slim book.

He very much poo-poos those who deny Shakespeare's authorship. It was interesting, having just read it, to read Brian Bean's thread on whether shakespeare wrote the plays. #

I suppose it was also interesting to reflect that I didn't quote him on the thread because I thought he would be berated as Academic-lite, though I don't consider him to be so. I think he makes a lot of sense.

I agree that his writing is fun with occaisional insights - such as the piece about Americans not walking, hence there being no footpaths (sidewalks), around some towns. I know he uses hyperbole well, but it highlights interesting stuff.

[LitNetIsGreat]

No I've not read his book on Shakespeare, but then again I've read enough and have enough common sense, not to need to read any more about the so called authorship debate, no offence Brian!

Undoubtedly his insights are funny and true enough but after the third or fourth book by him I think he has said all that needs to be said. I think his Note from a Small Island is particularly amusing though.

[atiguhya padma]

Richard Mabey's Nature Cure and his biography of Gilbert White; Roger Deakins Waterlog and his Wildwood (both beautifully written and hugely inspirational); Edward Thomas's The South Country (I loved this book, as much as I love his poetry), the poetry of John Clare, Robert MacFarlane's Mountains of the Mind; Oliver Rackham's History of the Countryside; W H Hudson's A Shepherd's Life; Hoskin's The Making of the English Landscape..... there's so many good books on nature!

[shortstoryfan]

A new writer in this genre: Erik Reece.

[Paulclem]

No I've not read his book on Shakespeare, but then again I've read enough and have enough common sense, not to need to read any more about the so called authorship debate, no offence Brian!

Undoubtedly his insights are funny and true enough but after the third or fourth book by him I think he has said all that needs to be said. I think his Note from a Small Island is particularly amusing though.

Yes I enjoyed that one and the Australian book. He occaisionally makes me laugh out loud, which not many books do. I do need a break between, but then look forward to th next one.

[DT17]

This thread reminds me of a quote by Goethe: "Nature is, indeed, the only book whose every page is filled with important content".... This is from the Italian Journey, you might like that book.

[The Comedian]

A new writer in this genre: Erik Reece.

Okay, I'll check out him out. What sort of nature writing does he do -- natural history? poetry? adventure literature?

[shortstoryfan]

Ooo, glad I decided to check back on some old posts.

He has written a book about mountain top removal mining (strip mining) and is coming out with a book of poetry that will probably explore those themes as well. Influenced by Wendell Berry, who has really been a pioneering voice against strip mining.

[stlukesguild]

I certainly second Walton's Compleat Angler (which I've never heard another ever mention), Goethe's Italian Journey, and Wang Wei's poetry. You might also wish to look into Boswell and Johnson's accounts of their journey to Scotland and the Hebrides. There are probably a great many poets you might explore. Certainly look into Wordsworth and John Clare.