Walden-ish
“I wish to be translated to the future, and look at my work as if it were a structure on the plain, to observe what portions have crumbled under the influence of the elements.”
Timeless, Magical, Reflective
A Quiet Revolution
“In wildness is the preservation of the world.” So wrote Henry David Thoreau in 1854, when he published Walden after living for two years in a small cabin near Walden Pond. He lived there not in isolation, but in deliberate company with the earth. He measured time by the cracking of ice, by the chirping of crickets, by the sprout of beans. His book became a call to strip away the excess of society and live with purpose. At its heart, Walden was a quiet revolution. In an age of rapid industrial growth and social conformity, Thoreau’s words urged readers to resist blind ambition, to simplify their lives, and to find truth in nature. His reflections helped shape American thought, inspiring generations of writers, environmentalists, and seekers to question what it means to live well. Yet the book was written in the language of its time...dense, patriarchal, and often closed to those not named in its pages. Nearly two centuries later, its wisdom still glimmers, but its voice can feel far away.
A Modern Invitation
In Walden-ish, Lilleth responds. With reverence for Thoreau’s vision, she adapts the 19th-century classic for modern readers. She softens the thicket of archaic prose, welcomes women into the circle, and draws from Thoreau’s journals to let his spirit speak more clearly. Here, the invitation is open to all. Whoever longs to slow down, step outside, and remember what it means to live deliberately.
“Thoreau’s Cabin,” watercolor art by Krimsey
Wisdom For Then and Now
Intrepid readers of Walden have long found echoes of our current struggles and existential questions. Now, with Walden-ish: A Woman's Adaptation of Henry David Thoreau’s "Walden," readers can again benefit from the spirit of natural simplicity, harmony, and beauty held in this classic work from the American Romantic Period. Whether you’re a lover of reimagined classic novels, interested in philosophy, or simply looking for engaging nonfiction about living in the woods, this book is for you.
Tastefully Adapted
After leading a peculiar life of teaching, pencil making, and land surveying, Thoreau sets off into the woods by himself to “live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.” Alone in nature, his mind is clear to think, explore, and write. Eerily, Thoreau’s original themes are spot-on and critically relevant to us now, in the 21st century.
Thoreau’s core concepts are held intact and the essence of his writing style is preserved, with some enhancements for fluidity and digestibility. To learn more about my editing philosophies and processes, click here.
Walden Pond
While on my editing journey, I visited Walden Pond to see what things might have been like for Henry David Thoreau while he lived in his tiny cabin near the shore.
Where to Buy
Purchase a print or eBook copy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or at your local independent bookstore! And if you wind up loving it, reviews are greatly appreciated—they help increase exposure. Thank you for your support on this personal project that took hundreds of [enjoyable] hours to complete.
For Kids, Too!
Would you like to share the enchantment of Thoreau’s work with your tiny friends, too? Check out my children’s version, The Magical Story of Walden Pond!
