Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Into the Wild
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 nice quick read....
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this book because it was here at Amazon, and it caught my eye. I was able to read the book in about 2 days.
I find the book really interesting, I don't like ruining anything, but its basically a young man who had a good upbringing, but it just wasn't his world. He left everything to find his happiness, and that he found.
In certain parts of the book, it can be long-winded with all the comparisons made to other people. In essence, it helps us know our main character better, but sometimes, I just wanted to skip a couple of pages. (Which I didn't)
So all in all. If you want a good story, which will be coming to movies shortly, this is a good read. Ha, and don't pay full price for it, you can get a cheap one here on Amazon.
Book Review: A polarizing tale that provokes thought, emotion or both...
Summary: 4 Stars
First off, any book that garners over 1000 book reviews means the author is doing something right. What I find disturbing are the numerous reader reviews that rant endlessly about McCandless' arrogance, self indulgence and disrespect toward the Alaskan Wilderness. The insinuation that he deserved what happened to him is ludicrous. Let's not forget, Chris McCandless was a flesh and blood human being who endured an agonizing death. It's easy to sit at home and wax poetic on how he should have lived his life and the actions he could have taken to prevent his premature demise. Nevertheless, I applaud Mr. Krakauer for composing a work that clearly elicits such raw emotion, whether annoyance, anger or incredulity. It sure beats apathy any day of the week.
Whether one thinks of Chris McCandless as remarkably astute or remarkably stupid, Mr. Krakauer has crafted a captivating depiction of his life and death that is both insightful and thought-provoking. Well written and masterfully constructed, McCandless' saga is illuminated by personal journal entries and pictures in addition to first-hand accounts told by the friends and acquaintances whose lives he touched as well as the family who was devastated by his estrangement and ultimate tragic death.
My suggestion: take this journey willingly without pre-conceived notion or judgment. You may just find yourself identifying with McCandless on some level, whether it is the irresistible pull of wanderlust, coming to terms with strained familial relationships, struggling with the youthful fervor of moral absolutism, or simply overzealous adolescent chutzpah.
Bravo to Mr. Krakauer for the tremendous effort he put forth in capturing the essence of a fascinating and surprisingly polarizing individual and producing a page- turning work to boot.
Book Review: A reasonably good read about a fool
Summary: 2 Stars
The book as a work of literature is okay. I guess. It seems to meander about looking for something to say. In addition, I don't trust Krakauer as a chronicler, as it is my understanding that he played fast and loose with the facts in both "Into Thin Air" (to the fury of some of those who were there) and "Under the Banner of Heaven." My biggest problem with the book is that I found Chris McCandless to be a juvenile fool. Despite his alleged superior intellect, he behaved and wrote like a 14-year-old. I really see no reason for glorifying this idiot. His demise was nature's way of purifying the gene pool of a little lunacy.Book Review: A remarkable true story
Summary: 4 Stars
Into the Wild was first brought to my attention when it came to film. I watched the movie and was shocked when Chris died at the end (this is not a spoiler, you find this out in the first chapter of the book) because I knew very little history about the story. I was so enthralled I went out and bought the book. Although it did take me a while to actually open the book, once I did I was halfway finished before I took a breath.
Krakauer's writing is both thoughtful and insightful. I was impressed by the amount of research he was able to sift through and the stories he heard from the people who met Chris. I was also surprised that although it had been over a decade since he initially published the article in "Outsider," he has obviously not stopped working or thinking about Chris. I was surprised by how much I could relate to Chris as well as how different we were. He did something incredible, and although a few oversights stopped him from walking out of Alaska alive, I don't think he failed. He lived for 2 years exactly how he wanted to after turning away from everything he had known. He went to Alaska and lived off the land until he was ready to leave. Although he did not leave, he was ready to walk out as what seemed to be a changed man and he never seemed to regret going into the bush.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story and left me thinking about it for days after I had finished the last page.