John Pipkin Bücher

The novel delves into the pivotal moment in 1844 when a forest fire, accidentally ignited by Henry David Thoreau, shapes both his philosophical outlook and the emerging identity of the nation. It explores Thoreau's internal struggles and reflections during this transformative period, offering insight into his character and the broader themes of nature, responsibility, and personal growth amidst crisis.

[The novel's] power lies in its vibrant and arresting imagery, resonant themes and sense of intellectual ferment. In his extraordinary ability to convey his characters' emotions as they take in the universe's immensity, Pipkin captures our own awe and sense of puniness as we look at the skies and the 'implacable cartwheeling of worlds slow and indifferent'. The New York Times Book Review