Howard Axelrod Livres

“Beautiful, elegantly expressed” meditations on the ‘inner climate change’ we experience as we shift between our offline and online lives—for fans of Oliver Sacks and David Foster Wallace’s This Is Water (New York Review of Books). What shapes our sense of place, our sense of time, and our memory? How is technology changing the way we make sense of the world and of ourselves? Our screens offer us connection, especially now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are certain depths of connection our screens can’t offer—to ourselves, to the natural world, and to each other. In this personal exploration of digital life’s impact on how we see the world, Howard Axelrod marshals science, philosophy, art criticism, pop culture, and his own experience of returning from two years of living in solitude in northern Vermont. The Stars in Our Pockets is a timely reminder of the world around us and the worlds within us—and how, as alienated as we may sometimes feel, they were made for each other.

What shapes our sense of place, our sense of time, and our memory? How is technology changing the way we make sense of the world and of ourselves?Our screens offer us connection, especially now in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but there are certain depths of connection our screens can’t offer—to ourselves, to the natural world, and to each other. In this personal exploration of digital life’s impact on how we see the world, Howard Axelrod marshals science, philosophy, art criticism, pop culture, and his own experience of returning from two years of living in solitude in northern Vermont. The Stars in Our Pockets is a timely reminder of the world around us and the worlds within us—and how, as alienated as we may sometimes feel, they were made for each other.

Exploring the tension between modern life and nature, this lyrical memoir invites readers to consider the transformative power of disconnecting from a hyper-connected world. Through personal reflections and vivid descriptions, the author shares their journey into the wilderness, emphasizing the importance of forging deeper connections with oneself and the natural environment. Aimed at nature enthusiasts and those yearning for a more meaningful existence, the narrative captures the essence of solitude and self-discovery.

Wirklich ganz zu sich kommen Allein in den Wäldern, weit weg von den Problemen des modernen Alltags – für viele ein Traum. Howard Axelrod macht ihn wahr und lebt zwei Jahre lang in einem abgeschiedenen Haus in der Wildnis, bis die seltenen Kontakte zur Außenwelt für ihn zu einem gleichzeitig beglückenden wie quälenden Ereignis werden. Es gelingt ihm, sich von den Zwängen der modernen Zivilisation zu lösen und ganz zu sich zu kommen, doch reift in ihm auch die Erkenntnis, dass Probleme sich nicht durch Rückzug lösen lassen. Eine ehrliche, poetische und überraschende Meditation darüber, was es heißt, aus der Welt verschwinden zu wollen und ihr gleichzeitig näherzukommen.