Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
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Book Reviews of Into the Wild
Book Review: Tragic odyssey
Summary: 5 Stars
A fascinating psychological portrait of solo wanderer Chris McCandless who died alone in Alaska in 1992. The author draws parallels between Chris's exploits and his own odyssey: climbing the Devil's Claw in Alaska--solo, after 3 nearly life-ending attempts. The account notes the conflict that sometimes occurs between fathers and sons, the derring-do of specific young men such as John Muir who shared characteristics with Chris; and in particular, connects McCandless to these threads. Time and perspective change continually in the tale which covers a period of about 4 years. Krakauer skillfully weaves in McCandless's journal notes, the underlinings in his books, and the letters he wrote friends he made on the road.
Krakauer wrote several articles for various outdoor magazines soon after McCandless's body was found in the Alaskan wilderness. Most interpreted the death as the result of poor planning and McCandless's having made key miscalculations. Later, Krakauer adopted a more sympathetic interpretation. McCandless had already demonstrated his ability to live off the land for extended periods of time.
I was struck by the tragic character of this story. Chris had adopted the name Alexander Supertramp when he began his travels shortly after graduating from Emory University. He left his parents without a word of his plans; he disappeared without leaving a trace. He wrote a check to Oxfam for the remainder of his education trust fund (a cool 24K) and adopted the life of a wanderer deeply critical of the system. Although they hired a private investigator, Walt and Billy McCandless were never able to locate their son. Krakauer believes Chris had learned some ugly family secrets a year or so before his graduation and was never able to forgive his father. The irony of the book is that a secret so ugly his parents never told it, is now available to the public in a book that was apparently written with the cooperation of the McCandlesses.
Book Review: Life's promise and unrealized potential
Summary: 5 Stars
It has been awhile since I read the book (and saw the movie, which I thought was decent, but the book, naturally, was better). I picked the book up again the other day and reread some of the more poignant passages. Into the Wild is still a book that brings out conflicting thoughts and emotions in this reader. I don't know that the "true" nature of most anyone's character can be known, especially as complex a person as Chris McCandless, though Krakauer does a commendable job of reconstructing just what drove this young man to undertake his misguided adventure by piecing together his past history, etc.
Unlike some other reviewers, I didn't think Krakauer seeing some of himself in McCandless detracted from this book; quite the opposite, it gave him potential insights into McCandless that other authors lacking Krakauer's wilderness experiences and personal demons would not have had. McCandless was more fully realized as a result. Might another author have a different take? Sure, but this is testament to McCandless' complexity of character.
Whether you see McCandless as supreme fool, hopelessly misguided romantic, courageous nonconformist, or parts in between, in the end it must be keep in mind that McCandless was a very young and conflicted individual. Had he not died in the wild and been given to such extremes of self-searching (if you want to see this theme in the book), who knows what McCandless would have made of himself. Would he have reconciled with his family? Embraced more tradtional values? Rejected those he deemed more superficial, embraced others? Continued his quests? Written a book about his journeys? The haunting part of the book is truly the unrealized potential of his life, and that lonely broken down bus he died in.
Definitely think Krakauer gives the reader enough wiggle room to come to his/her own conclusions.
Book Review: Idealism Gone Wild
Summary: 5 Stars
I had enjoyed Jon Krakuer's book Into Thin Air: A Personal Account of the Mt. Everest Disaster. Thinking that Into the Wild would be of the same high quality, I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I had made a wise choice. Krakuer's work tends to stick with you long after you have finished the book. I had originally purchased the book back in 1997. My son borrowed it for a while and then it landed at my mother's house where she finished reading it this year. Somehow, it made it back home to my bookcase so I thought I would write a short review (or opinion) before placing it back in its rightful place among the nic-nacs, pictures and family of books.
The writing is first rate as the author takes us on a journey he made trying to understand the mindset of this intense young misguided man. I have personally known a few young men (and women) that fit into this stubborn idealism. While their thoughts and dreams are noble, they are never quite prepared for that heavy dose of reality that life sometimes rains down on our heads.
Throughout the book, I had an extreme sadness for the family that he had left back home. As a parent to five children, I can only imagine the anguish that filled each day of their lives. While some may admire McCandless's courage, I can only read this from the aforementioned perch of parenthood. Therefore, I come away with a different conclusion than the author. I am not saying he is wrong. Just different opinion.
Well written. Properly paced with just the right amount of tangents. Highly recommended for those who enjoy well-versed non-fiction.
I hope you find this opinion helpful.
Michael L. Gooch
Author of Wingtips with Spurs
Book Review: A mystery and tragedy told well
Summary: 5 Stars
Into the wild is a story of a young man searhing for more out of life. He goes on a journey into the depths of Alaska but doesn't live to tell his tale.
Krakauer decides it's his job to tell McCandless' story on his behalf. With only a journal and a few eye witnesses Krakauer pieces together McCandless trip from beginning to end. He even writes himself into the story eplaining his own mountain climbing trip to the Devils Thumb. He uses so much description that you feel yourself walking on thin ice, fearing that at any moment you could fall to your death.
McCandless and Krakauer share many things in common for example they both went into the wild searching for answers but on Krakauer's voyage he didn't receive any of them. Another similarity they shared is their screwed up relationship with their fathers.
Throughout McCandless pilgrimage he touched the lives of many people he met along the way. And they all had their side of the story to tell. They made had their doubts and opinions to why McCandless left in the first place but it never stopped them for keeping a special place in their hearts for him.
The story is such a tragic one and while reading this book I admit I shed a few tears but no matter how hard it became to read about this unfortunate tale I just couldn't put it down. Every chapter Krakauer left you wanting more. I just had to know how it ended from the moment I started reading. We can all relate to this book because I think we all have a little bit of McCandless in us. No matter how we feel about the choices McCandless made we all have to confess this if probaly one of the best nonfiction books ever written and I must congratulate Krakauer for being able to pull it off so well. Thats why it deserves five stars.
Book Review: A tragic tale of a young man alone...
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm late in reading this book, but then I never read things just because they are popular. I've known about this story for a while, but my sister read the book and said it was really good. So I took it home. It's a very easy, very fast read. I was skeptical about it for two reasons...not enamored with the author because of another book he wrote, and also, my husband is a scoutmaster and on search and rescue, and we all figured that a young man who goes into the wilderness without enough preparation is not real intelligent. I have to admit I held onto the train of thought for most of the book. But much of what the author said about this young man, and his reasons for doing what he did rang true. Yes he made some obvious errors, but I know from teaching young adults that they don't think anything can hurt them. And they also tend to hold adults to what they say literally. As my sister said "If you talk the talk, you better be prepared to walk the walk." And this young man's own father did not do that, and left his child very disappointed in him.
My sister is also the mother of a boy with Asperger's, and she said she recognized some traits of this boy, including his not being bothered by being alone as similar to Asperger's. Maybe he was just a shade of this...so many are, and so many are not diagnosed.
This book should be read in high school I think, with an emphasis on preparation and letting people know where you are going to be. And also, it's a reminder to us to let our families and especially our children, know that we love them.
Krakauer's writing is good, the quotes interesting, the other stories of mistakes made in the wilderness applicable. This is not lighthearted reading, and leaves you pondering 'what if.'