I cant comprehend how someone could miss the truth, insight, and charm of this book. I am fifteen years old and an aspiring writer. In the weeks before I read Dillards chapters on adolescence, I was feeling the painful confusion of it more than I ever have before. Dillard voiced my feelings perfectly when I couldnt state them myself. Her childhood memories support the concept of entering various states of consciousness throughout ones life. This is brilliant work.
This is one of the most beautifully written books Ive ever read. I first read it about ten years ago, and did not like it. I think it takes a certain amount of maturity to understand the discovery, the examined life, and the coming into "consciousness" that Dillard writes of. It should not be required reading for high school students, who may find it dull and boring; too full of ones "interior" life, as many who wrote reviews here did. My advice to them: please read it again when you are in your late twenties or early thirties...and see how easily the book puts you under its magical spell with its reminiscences of childhood.
This book is possibly the worst piece of literature that I have ever read in my lifetime. I do realize that the book is an autobiography and is by no means meant to be an adventure fiction novel. However, if you are going to write about your life, please do something interesting. Nobody wants to hear about an average person leading an average life with no specific events to back it up. Dillard tries to make her life seem interesting by filling the book with useless descriptions and seemingly random transitions. I will keep this book by my bed simply because if I am having trouble sleeping, it will put me right out. Here is a quote to show exactly how disjointed the writing is. "I was hoping the streets would fill and I could shoot my cap gun at people instead of at mere sparrows. My project was to ride my swing all around, over the top. I bounced a ball against the house..."
