82 pages • 2 hours read
Henry David ThoreauWalden
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 1854A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Walden by Henry David Thoreau details his two-year experiment living simply and independently by Walden Pond from 1845 to 1847. Throughout this period, Thoreau immerses himself in nature, grows his own food, and contemplates the essentials of human life. He critiques capitalism for leading people into superficial pursuits and advocates for minimalism to achieve spiritual fulfillment. He finds joy in the natural world and reflects on human existence, emphasizing the value of simplicity and personal freedom.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Walden by Henry David Thoreau elicits praise for its introspective and philosophical examination of simple living in natural surroundings, inspiring readers to reflect on their own lives. Critics note the rich, descriptive prose but also mention its occasional density and meandering narrative. Overall, it remains a seminal work in transcendentalist literature.
Who Should Read Walden?
A reader drawn to Walden by Henry David Thoreau would likely savor introspective and philosophical works about nature, solitude, and self-reliance. Fans of Ralph Waldo Emerson's Self-Reliance or Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild would appreciate Thoreau's reflections on simple living and deep connection with the natural world.