Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
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Book Reviews of Into the Wild
Book Review: sympathetic bio of tragic adventurer
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the haunting, heartbreaking, true story of Chris McCandless, who died alone in the Alaskan wilderness at the age of 24, trying to survive by hunting and gathering all of his food. Krakauer's article on McCandless for Outside magazine apparently brought a number of Chris's friends and acquaintances out of the woodwork, giving Krakauer enough material to fill in some of the blanks in Chris's two-year odyssey, as well as correct a few errors. Krakauer argues convincingly that McCandless was not as unprepared and foolhardy as many people believed for a stint in the wild. McCandless did, however, make some tragic mistakes that cost him his life. Krakauer also includes in the book the story of his own solo trek in Alaska that could have very easily resulted in the same fate. McCandless was a fascinating but frustrating and headstrong young man and remains an enigma. He was smart, musical, athletic, and well-liked by almost everyone who came in contact with him, but he struck out on his own for two years without a word to his family. Time and again, people he met on the road helped him out despite their initial reluctance. His heroes were Leo Tolstoy and Jack London, but as Krakauer points out, he was trying to live Jack London's fiction, which was a far cry from Jack London's life. My favorite anecdote in the book is the story of Chris's abandoned Datsun, which, ironically, was rescued and resurrected. Krakauer's storytelling is so vivid that it kept me awake at night, long after I finished the book.
Book Review: Hard to put down.
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great book. It was very difficult for me to put it down once I started reading it. In fact, I finished it in one sitting. I've never done that before.
I could have done without the side stories involving the other Alaskan adventurers and the author's own experiences. I bought the book mainly to read about McCandless. Thankfully these parts don't drag on and they only take up a small percentage of the book.
I think what I liked the most about the book were the witness accounts given by the people Chris encountered and Chris' writings (what few of them there were). There is a letter from Chris to a widower named Ron Franz (not his real name) that is especially touching. Even more touching was the fact that the old man took McCandless' advice. That told me a lot about the kind of man McCandless was.
I don't understand a lot of the criticism aimed at McCandless with respect to going out into the bush ill-prepared. Could he have used more supplies? Yes, of course. But the entire point was to do it with as little as possible. Also, even though he could have used more supplies he still managed to survive for 112 days. To me that says he was well prepared enough. He would have made it out alive if he hadn't ate those moldy seeds.
Bottom line for this book: If you like nature, true stories, mysteries, adventure, etc...this is a must read.
Book Review: Finding it
Summary: 5 Stars
As the last page was read, tears were streaming down our faces. Reading aloud to my husband as we travel makes the journeys we often take by car seem less tedious. The miles we were traveling had slipped by unnoticed. In Jon Krakauer's writing we found not only a nature/adventure story with a tragic ending, but an exposing glimpse of a universal longing we all have to conquer the unknown. While nature draws us and provides the stark, unpredictable setting, I believe Kraukaer has aptly shone a light on the real force that drives human beings, such as Chris McCandless. The author's weaving of his own story and that of others with the same ilk, reveals that the unknown we long to conquer is that which lies within us. It may be that only by separating ourselves from the noise of our lives, plunging into an uncontollable environment, and being forced to live only by the inner resources provided by our Creator can we find out that seemingly unknowable thing about ourselves. Chris's story, as told by Krakauer, appears to have ended with that discovery. In addition, I feel that there is a univerality to relationships in this story that we experience deeply. We cried as the son who never got to say to his parents what was in his heart and as the parents who have been left without embracing their child. Be prepared to be touched in unexpected ways.Book Review: Into the Wild
Summary: 5 Stars
Into the Wild was a riveting, memorable book, based on real life circumstances. I had recently seen the movie, and wanted to read the book. Oftentimes, this can be a disappointment, as one medium seems to supersede the other. This was not the case. John Krakauer's book nicely augmented the movie, filling in more personal information about this idealistic young man and his belabored journey to find the truth about himself and his rightful place in the universe.
Kraukauer had apparently been attracted to bring Christopher's McCandless's quest to go into the Alaskan wild to life, because of similarities to his own background and the conflicts that had besieged him in his own youth. Thus, a literary relationship was forged between the author and the main character, creating an uncanny understanding and compassion which became a strong mainstay of the story. Absent is judgement. Rather, complicated family relationships are diligently researched,extrapolating what emotional bearing they may have had on individual perspectives cultivated and the ultimate choices made by each family member in this remarkable story.
It is a bittersweet saga, one filled with humor, pathos and thought provoking wisdom in how one person sought the infinitely mystifying question, plaguing us all of "Who are we, and why are we here?"
Book Review: Into myself
Summary: 5 Stars
This singular true tale came to me in a singular way. I don't remember another time in my life when two people have not only recommended a book, but put copies in my hand within a few days. Add to this that it was four years old at that time (hence not a current hit) and that it collaterally delves into personal issues that haunt me -- ghosts of which neither recommender was aware, and I have to admit that it had all the appearance of intent. I mention all of the forgoing to confess probable bias in this review -- but, that said, this is a terrific story, wonderfully told. It is the tale of a young man's short life, his hegira across the American West, a successful Arctic vision quest, and the simple mistakes that ultimately killed him. Jon Krakauer writes vividly and compassionately of Chris McCandless, the youthful wanderer, and the family he left behind. The author's mountaineering experience feeds his and the reader's understanding of the forces that push and pull some folks (mostly young men) into life on the edge, and his thoughtful consideration of the tangled tension between some fathers and some sons clove me to the heart. Krakauer retraced McCandless' two year odyssey, tracked down all the principal players, shared his search, research, and discoveries with the family, and delivered a stunningly beautiful book.