Title: Followed by the Lark
Author: Helen Humphreys
Genre: Literary
Rating: 3.50
Pub Date: February 13, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from HarperCollins Canada via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Reflective • Quiet • Shallow

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Renowned nineteenth-century naturalist, poet and abolitionist Henry David Thoreau’s connection to nature was tied to his feelings of loss; before he was twenty-seven years old and went to live at Walden Pond, two of those closest to him had died—his older brother, John, and his friend Charles Wheeler. Nature provided solace for these losses, but the world was changing around him. The forests were being destroyed by the logging industry. Wildlife was increasingly being slaughtered for profit and sport. The railroad clanged through his quiet hometown. And the catastrophes of the American Civil War were beginning to stir.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I don't recall what compelled me to request an eARC of Followed by the Lark, but one of my goals for 2025 is making progress on my NetGalley shelf and this one was next up on the list. I knew very little going in beyond it being short and written by Canadian author Helen Humphreys.

Inspired by his journals and writing, this fictionalized account gives the readers an overview of the life of Henry David Thoreau. I know about Henry's vast knowledge and study of the natural world, however, I always assumed him to be a solitary person. This novel changes that narrative by shining a light on his personal relationships and how much of his time spent in nature was sparked from loss and grief. The pacing and poetic nature of Helen's writing suited the story perfectly.

However, being neither a true story nor a biography, it lacked substantial plot and oftentimes read like a stream of consciousness. Knowing it was based on Henry's writings and journals made for a disconnect while reading that I could never recover. That isn't to say the book isn't good, it just didn't grip me like I would have wanted it to.

While I appreciated the emphasis on the natural world and interpersonal relationships, Followed by the Lark lacked the depth I craved. The main takeaway for me was a stark reminder of the power of the natural world in healing and how society continues to take it for granted by destroying its beauty. I enjoyed Helen's writing, I just don't think this was the right place to start in exploring her work.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Henry David Thoreau
• connecting the past and the present

⚠️ CW: death, sibling death, child death, death of parent, grief, animal death, addiction, chronic illness, racism, slavery, colonization

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Nature if my church."

Literary fiction at its best from a master Canadian writer at the top of her craft. I didn't know much about the life of Henry David Thoreau and Helen Humphreys was able to capture its essence in these little snapshot vingettes in the most affecting way! An entertaining, quick read sure to leave you thinking long after you finish. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! I especially loved the bird artwork in the print copy of the book!

Delighted to include this title in the February edition of Novel Encounters, my column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)