Walden | Critical Overview

Walden was widely reviewed when it first appeared. This attention was due not to Thoreau’s reputation (he had only one other published book, and it had not sold well) but to his publisher’s energetic promotion of the book and to the support of Thoreau’s well-known friend Emerson. Many publications printed excerpts of Walden to herald its arrival.

Most reviews were positive. ‘‘It is a strikingly original, singular, and most interesting work,’’ wrote a reviewer in the Salem Register. The Lowell Journal and Courier noted, ‘‘The press...

[The entire page is 540 words long]

Join eNotes

The above is a free excerpt. Get total access to this content with the:

Summary and Analysis – Themes – Characters – And much more...