"Memoirs of a Pine Tree" by Henry Livingston (1792) - illustrated

YouTube ^ | 1792 | Henry Livingston

[mairdie]

This prose piece was published by Henry Livingston in the New-York Magazine in February, 1792. It describes the world as seen from the point of view of a pine tree first emerging from its cone. Narrated by Byron Nilsson and illustrated.

[mairdie]

I’ve always read poetry aloud, and used to recite as I walked in time to words. And the reason we studied tongue movements for author attribution, was because I was reading Moore and Henry aloud to my friend at a Dunkin Donuts, and I couldn’t get my mouth around Moore’s words, while Henry’s flowed. She made the connection to the fact that the two men had different favorite patterns of tongue movement.

So it was natural to have Byron read the poetry, but I never thought about having him read the prose. Then I realized I had started thinking of him as Henry, since it was the only voice I now associated with the poetry, and I realized that I might associate closer to Henry by having Byron read one of Henry’s personal letters. And that worked. So I went one further and tried him on the prose piece, never expecting how I’d react to it. And this from a long dedicated audio book listener. I’m just amazed at my reaction.

But it is making me realize how strongly I associate to audio books. How I would adore being able to afford to hire someone to narrate Graustark by George Barr McCutcheon!

[mairdie]

YES YES YES. I bet I can buy one on amazon! Oh, deep thanks. That would be wonderful near my bed. I never get up to Mt Washington anymore and it would be a wonderful way to bring back memories. Thank you.