Desert Solitaire: Poetry and Anarchy in Arches National Monument
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5/21/2008 - 5/22/08
As I put down the worn old copy of Edward Abbey's non-fiction novel Desert Solitaire, I feel nothing but the insane urge to destroy all of the technology in my room and to run to the mountains with nothing but a sleeping bag and an open mind. The book is a documentation of his time spent in Arches National Monument in Utah as a park ranger for a season in the 1960's. The book incorporates his ideas on development, technology, nature, God, and the state of life and existence in modern America.Abbey's style is dynamic, sporadic and everchanging. He begins with drawn out descriptions of his lifestyle in Arches National Monument and the flora and fauna in the deserts of Utah. Many of these sections can be a bit dry and overly scientific although they do give Abbey a sort of relevance and his opinions gain more weight. As the book progresses, Abbey incorporates several stories that give a historical background for the southwest. He describes in detail the history of Uranium mining in New Mexico and Utah in both factual presentation and by telling the story of a family whose lives were ruined when they staked their fortunes in uranium mining. In effect the book gives the young reader a beautiful new perspective on the Southwest, a new set of ideas about wilderness and conservation and good connection with the author and his unique take on life.
The importance of Desert Solitaire is less in the technical writing than in Abbey's meditations on life, the environment, technology and spirituality. His personal and humorous style makes the book a joy to read with hilarious stories, allegories and some insight into free living. Desert Solitaire is Abbey's manifesto on how to live life and relate to the world. This book is filled with insight and humor, an excellent mixture that makes it my favorite of Abbey's work.
Alexi Horowitz is a senior at Santa Fe Preparatory. You can reach him at alexihorowitz@hotmail.com.
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