I really, really liked her descriptive phrases. There was a sort of eloquent beauty in her words that was simple but poetic. I felt that it really didn't have a concrete plot, so it was a bit difficult to read and stay into, and it felt a little self-indulgent.
From Jenny Osbun: I agree with you completely. I think that this is definitely a novel in which you either love the writing or you hate it. Just looking at the writing stand point, the novel is clearly beautifully written and extremely poetic, but in my opinion I need a plot to keep me interested. So, I do also agree that it was difficult to read and stay engaged.
Dillard's writing about nature and the metaphors within is a nice change from the writing we have been doing. It is a different way of reading, and a nice change from what we have been doing. I enjoy her take on nature and her descriptive, peaceful writing.
I agree with all three of you. In comparison to the novels we have read so far this semester, Dillard's overwhelming descriptions carry the reader on a different kind of journey. Although there isn't really much of a sequential plot (as Emma mentioned above), I have really Dillard's writing and how peaceful the flow of the story is.
It's almost as if she forgoes a linear plot line so that she can fully create the world around her and describe absolutely everything possible. i'm almost surprised to say that i'm alright with that! the eloquence and finesse with which she paints the picture for the reader is vastly different (and in most ways, superior) to any other author's ability/technique to do so. I would like to be able to find the plot more easily, but i certainly cannot complain because she's decided to make what plot there is look/sound/feel EXTREMELY realistic/detailed.
This meditative writing that Dillard employs throughout Pilgram is a refreshing change to the pieces I have read previously. I agree with everyone above. Although I've never been a fan of overly descriptive pieces, I think Dillard has changed my perspective on that. I like to be able to do some of the imagining myself, however I actually like the way this is written. The author's writing technique, as Ed mentioned, is extremely eloquent and I really enjoy that.
Dillard's writing is so different from that of the other authors we usually read in school. It is so much more relaxed and peaceful than in other books we have read. Even though sometimes I think her writing can get a little boring and drag on, I am overall enjoying Pilgrim.
I keep finding myself comparing Dillard's writing to Ung's. Dillard's writing has a lot more imagery in it, whereas Ung's is more literal. I really like the jumpiness of the writing as well as its fragmented tone. Her writing mirrors her thoughts and I'm able to relate to her more because of it. I also really like how much she talks about nature because it makes me look at nature differently.
I find nature to be a more enjoyable subject in comparison to the past novels we have read. Along with Dillard's poetic structure and flow, it gives the reader a sense of peace, in contrast to some of our previous readings.
While I would agree the lack of plot structure makes the book somewhat slow and maybe seem pointless at times, I find it really interesting to draw my own mental pictures of the metaphors she is creating. When I read the book I focus much more on how she tries to portray the pictures to us as the audience and actually picturing the comparisons she makes with the extremely extended metaphors.
I agree that Dillard's writing is extremely different from pretty much anything I've really ever read before. I like her style though. It's really poetic and allows everything to kind of connect together because its following her train of thought. My only issue is that I kind of get lost in the imagery she creates, because I am unable to keep up with her jumping from one scene to another. It makes it hard to see the general scenes she sets up, but the specific stories she tells are clear.
I really enjoyed Dillard's writing style in comparison to the other works we have read this year. Dillard's extended metaphors and inclination to write extremely descriptive passages made her writing refreshing after First They Killed My Father and Bookseller of Kabul. I truly enjoyed the way she was able to connect every part of nature and each observation with the world we live in. Many of my classmates either loved or hated her writing, and I was personally a very big fan of Dillard. This book was my favorite of the works we have read this year. After having read Thoreau and Into the Wild, these three books have given me a new perspective about life and our connection to real life through the natural world.
I found Dillard's attempts to live in the present illuminating. She definitely experiences the world in a different way than we are used to. I agree with Devika in that reading Pilgrim was refreshing, and I think Pilgrim altered my perspective of the world, at least slightly.
From Jenny Osbun:
ReplyDeleteI agree with you completely. I think that this is definitely a novel in which you either love the writing or you hate it. Just looking at the writing stand point, the novel is clearly beautifully written and extremely poetic, but in my opinion I need a plot to keep me interested. So, I do also agree that it was difficult to read and stay engaged.
Dillard's writing about nature and the metaphors within is a nice change from the writing we have been doing. It is a different way of reading, and a nice change from what we have been doing. I enjoy her take on nature and her descriptive, peaceful writing.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all three of you. In comparison to the novels we have read so far this semester, Dillard's overwhelming descriptions carry the reader on a different kind of journey. Although there isn't really much of a sequential plot (as Emma mentioned above), I have really Dillard's writing and how peaceful the flow of the story is.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost as if she forgoes a linear plot line so that she can fully create the world around her and describe absolutely everything possible. i'm almost surprised to say that i'm alright with that! the eloquence and finesse with which she paints the picture for the reader is vastly different (and in most ways, superior) to any other author's ability/technique to do so. I would like to be able to find the plot more easily, but i certainly cannot complain because she's decided to make what plot there is look/sound/feel EXTREMELY realistic/detailed.
ReplyDeleteThis meditative writing that Dillard employs throughout Pilgram is a refreshing change to the pieces I have read previously. I agree with everyone above. Although I've never been a fan of overly descriptive pieces, I think Dillard has changed my perspective on that. I like to be able to do some of the imagining myself, however I actually like the way this is written. The author's writing technique, as Ed mentioned, is extremely eloquent and I really enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteDillard's writing is so different from that of the other authors we usually read in school. It is so much more relaxed and peaceful than in other books we have read. Even though sometimes I think her writing can get a little boring and drag on, I am overall enjoying Pilgrim.
ReplyDeleteI keep finding myself comparing Dillard's writing to Ung's. Dillard's writing has a lot more imagery in it, whereas Ung's is more literal. I really like the jumpiness of the writing as well as its fragmented tone. Her writing mirrors her thoughts and I'm able to relate to her more because of it. I also really like how much she talks about nature because it makes me look at nature differently.
ReplyDeleteI find nature to be a more enjoyable subject in comparison to the past novels we have read. Along with Dillard's poetic structure and flow, it gives the reader a sense of peace, in contrast to some of our previous readings.
ReplyDeleteWhile I would agree the lack of plot structure makes the book somewhat slow and maybe seem pointless at times, I find it really interesting to draw my own mental pictures of the metaphors she is creating. When I read the book I focus much more on how she tries to portray the pictures to us as the audience and actually picturing the comparisons she makes with the extremely extended metaphors.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Dillard's writing is extremely different from pretty much anything I've really ever read before. I like her style though. It's really poetic and allows everything to kind of connect together because its following her train of thought. My only issue is that I kind of get lost in the imagery she creates, because I am unable to keep up with her jumping from one scene to another. It makes it hard to see the general scenes she sets up, but the specific stories she tells are clear.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Dillard's writing style in comparison to the other works we have read this year. Dillard's extended metaphors and inclination to write extremely descriptive passages made her writing refreshing after First They Killed My Father and Bookseller of Kabul. I truly enjoyed the way she was able to connect every part of nature and each observation with the world we live in. Many of my classmates either loved or hated her writing, and I was personally a very big fan of Dillard. This book was my favorite of the works we have read this year. After having read Thoreau and Into the Wild, these three books have given me a new perspective about life and our connection to real life through the natural world.
ReplyDeleteI found Dillard's attempts to live in the present illuminating. She definitely experiences the world in a different way than we are used to. I agree with Devika in that reading Pilgrim was refreshing, and I think Pilgrim altered my perspective of the world, at least slightly.
ReplyDelete