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Walden

By: Henry David Thoreau
Narrated by: William Hope
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Publisher's summary

In 1845 Henry David Thoreau, one of the principal New England Transcendentalists, left the town for the country. Beside the lake of Walden, he built himself a log cabin and returned to nature, to observe and reflect, while surviving on $8 a year. From this experience emerged one of the great classics of American literature, a deeply personal reaction against the commercialism and materialism that he saw as the main impulses of mid-19th century America.

©2001 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd (P)2001 NAXOS AudioBooks Ltd
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Editorial reviews

Walden is organized like a conversation. Thoreau moves from topic to topic in an easy flow, touching on politics, economics, and spirituality. William Hope's performance of the work brings out this quality wonderfully. Narrating slowly, with regular pauses, as if engaged in a conversation with a close friend, Hope allows readers to hear the rhythms of Thoreau's prose. But however it rambles, the essay always returns to the loving descriptions of nature and insightful reflections on personal identity that Thoreau developed in his cabin by Walden Pond. This is an accessible adaptation of an American classic.

What listeners say about Walden

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brings Thoreau to life

Good abridged version and narrator! I enjoyed the read and recommend this version to others.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

A little dry

I'm on a classics kick so I picked this one too. I have to give this one a big YAWN. But the book does have redeeming qualities from philosophical standpoint. The author's desire to "live life on purpose" and to question the precepts of modern society is relevant 160 years later.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love the book Hated the perfomance

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Book yes. This reading no.
It sounded as though it was being read by Archie Bunker. I wish I could have a refund.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Walden?

Walden is a wonderful visual piece.

How could the performance have been better?

Having it narrated by Rupert Degas!

Was Walden worth the listening time?

Not this version narrated by Mr Hope!

Any additional comments?

There should be a means to obtain a refund or a credit when something is this awful!

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Abridged version of Walden, excellent narration

I originally read portions of "Walden" for a humanities class in college. This abridged audiobook seems to capture the feeling of the full book. Excellent narration that really seems to match the tone and voice that Thoreau is projecting in his writing. The text is very insightful and the major themes seem more relevant now than ever. Thoreau's snarkiness about society is amusing but does get a little tiresome at points.

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