The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino will host authors Kristen Case, Gerald Early, Pico Iyer, and Megan Marshall on Wednesday, October 27, as they discuss the life of Henry David Thoreau and his book, “Walden,” which details Thoreau’s experiences over the course of two years, two months, and two days in a cabin he built near Walden Pond amidst woodland owned by Ralph Waldo Emerson, his friend and mentor, near Concord, Massachusetts.
The authors will be in conversation with Karla Nielsen, Curator of Literary Collections at The Huntington, during the virtual event from 4 to 5 p.m.
In the context of the pandemic, many writers turned to “Walden” for guidance for living in a constricted space and with a reduced footprint. This October, Princeton University Press published “Now Comes Good Sailing,” a volume of essays edited by Andrew Blauner which explores the ongoing resonance of Thoreau’s groundbreaking work of observation and reflection. The volume takes its title from the last four words that Thoreau wrote in his diary.
Authors Case, Early, Iyer and Marshall are four of the contributors to the volume. They will join this Shapiro Center for American History and Culture event. Dr. Nielsen will also show images of The Huntington’s seven drafts of “Walden.”
The event will be held online via Zoom at 4 p.m. The Zoom link will be sent to attendees in their registration confirmation email. This event is free to attend, with reservation.
To register, visit www.huntington.org/events/
For more information, call (626) 405-2100.
