Into the Wild
by Jon Krakauer
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Book Reviews of Into the Wild
Book Review: Into the Wild Book Review
Summary: 4 Stars
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is based on the true story of Chris McCandless's tragic death alone in the Alaskan wilderness. The author tells the story through information he has gathered from people who had spent time with McCandless while he was on his journey to Alaska. The story starts with a letter about how, after writing an article for Outside magazine on McCandless's death, Jon Krakauer finds himself intrigued by the young man and is driven to discover more about his life and friendships that becomes the basis of Into the Wild. The rest of the story is told through pieces of information Krakauer has gained from people all over the United States who spent time with McCandless while he was on his journey. Some of these people include Wayne Westerberg, a man who employed Chris and became good friends with him as well as Chris's parents, Walt and Billie, his sister Carine, high school classmates, and friends he met on his journey, Jan Burres and Ronald Franz.
In the summer of 1990, immediately after graduating from Emory University with honors and giving his $25,000 of savings to charity, Christopher Johnson McCandless left his family and began his journey across Northern America. Disguising himself as Alexander Supertramp, McCandless hitchhiked to places such as Atlanta, Georgia, Needles, California and Topock, Arizona. He even traveled to places like Lake Mead, the Cascade Mountain Range, the Columbia River basin and Mexico. After finally making it to Alaska in April 1992 and living off the land for two months, Chris finds himself unable to cross back over the Teklanika River to civilization. Four months later, Chris McCandless's body is found in a discarded city bus that he had been living in. Twenty-four year old Christopher Johnson McCandless died on August 18, 1992 from accidental poisoning and starvation.
We will never really know what motivated Chris McCandless to leave his home, family, and friends, but we do know that he loved the time he spent on the road. He was idealistic and loved nature. He was not materialistic, and he believed that he could live off of nothing but the land and his own intuition. The book reveals that he had some conflicts with his father and mother, but we do not know if that was the reason that he left everything behind. No one will ever know his true motivation but it appears even at the end he was happy. McCandless's last note said, "`I HAVE HAD A HAPPY LIFE AND THANK THE LORD. GOODBYE AND MAY GOD BLESS ALL!'"
I enjoyed Into the Wild a lot and found myself turning page after page, being unable to put it down. Krakauer's writing style tends to be somewhat chaotic. At points in the story, I found that Jon Krakauer skipped from Chris McCandless's tale to stories of his own journeys as well as other men, such as Everett Ruess. To me, this was confusing. Towards the end of the book, however, I realized that the stories Krakauer had incorporated in Into the Wild did in fact tie into Chris McCandless's. Krakauer was drawing parallels to his and others' experiences. Most of these stories were told by Krakauer due to similarities between the two main characters. In Jon Krakauer's letter to the reader in the beginning of the story, I really liked how he ended it by saying, "I will leave it to the reader to form his or her own opinion of Chris McCandless". Instead of forcing his opinion on the readers, Krakauer allows us to come to our own conclusions. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the journey of an interesting young man as well as people who are just looking for a compelling book to sit down and read.
Book Review: Far more meaningful than the film...
Summary: 4 Stars
This book has actually sat on my shelf for over two years. I purchased it before the movie was released. I tend to do that around Oscar season. I visit Ammy-mart (hope you don't mind me using your term Beany) and stock up on all the potential `Best Adapted Screenplay' nominees so that I can get my full of the Oscar race. I was so busily engorged in `Atonement' and `No Country for Old Men' (and struggling to make it through `Oil', which I wound up giving up on after my daughter pulled out my bookmark and I forgot where I was) that I totally missed getting into `Into the Wild'. I then saw the movie and, while I enjoyed it, I found it strangely empty in parts and not as poignant as I would have wanted it to be.
So, this past week, after rummaging through the 20+ books on my shelf I have yet to read, I decided to engage in some breezy reading before my trip next week (vacation, where I generally tackle some heavier reading), and since this book is just over the 200pg mark it seemed to fit the bill.
It sure was breezy, but it was far more poignant and meaningful than I expected!
For those of you who are familiar, this is the story of Chris McCandless, who, in 1992, was found dead in an abandoned van in the Alaskan wilderness. What Jon Krakauer does in this thoughtfully constructed biography is detail not only Chris's two year adventure into solitude, but the reasons behind his segregation from society. One thing I must say is that this paints a different picture for me than the film did. While watching the film I found Chris to be a purely selfish and arrogant young man, and his foolishness tended to take center stage for me. I found the rushed attempt in the films final frames to add a layer of redemption to Chris to be far too little too late and highly unbelievable. When reading this book I was floored as to how much of a fuller picture I received. To anyone who saw the film and perceived Chris as a joke, I urge you to take the time to read this book. By understanding the different sides to Chris, one can get a fuller appreciation for what he attempted to do with his life.
Yes, he was still very foolish and made some grave mistakes (and he was very stubborn) but he was an extremely smart, funny, sensitive young man who was aggravated by society and almost incensed at the hopelessness one feels, trapped in this cage.
His story can be richly rewarding.
I loved that Jon makes this a personal thing. You can feel the connection between the author and the subject. I will say that the structure of the book (constantly jumping back and forth in time) as well as the insertion of personal accounts and back history of similar situations can be a tad distracting and can take the reader out of Chris's story, but I do understand how they were necessary in lengthening the book (as some have noted, there isn't a LOT of meat to Chris's story) as well as shedding some light on the person Chris was. Maybe if the book was constructed a little differently it wouldn't have been such a distraction.
That said, I still highly recommend this book. I am not a fan of biographies. It's funny, because biopics are pretty much my favorite film genre, but I've never enjoyed reading a biography. They all feel so, factual, but Jon's writing is engrossing and almost novelesque, which adds layers of adventure to Chris's story.
My heart goes out to this man's family. He was a rare soul, and I know he is greatly missed.
Book Review: A Man with a Passion
Summary: 4 Stars
"In April 1992, a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in saving to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all of the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his discomposed body was found by a moose hunter."
The story behind this extraordinary young man is illustrated in the nonfiction book, Into the Wild, by Jon Krakauer. In writing this narrative Jon Krakauer brings the story of Christopher (Chris) McCandless to life.
As a college graduate of Emory University, Chris's future looked bright, however, he was an idealist, and his ideals were to live on his own and survive without the restrictions of society. As a young boy, he was very stubborn and determined, and he strived to obtain the most out of himself. This attitude stayed with him throughout his life. As he came into adulthood, Chris McCandless began to find faults with society and his parents.
After graduating, he lost all contact with his family and began wandering the countryside. Throughout his life, the wilderness enthralled him, and he was inspired to survive alone. As an adult, he travelled through America, Mexico, and Canada; he traveled mostly by hitchhiking, after he abandoned his car. Although he was hired for several jobs, he tried to stay away from society as much as possible. After years of surviving hardships and travelling the country, Chris McCandless hitchhiked to the Alaskan interior where he decided to live off the land.
With a .22 caliber rifle, a camera, several boxes of rifle rounds, and a small selection of reading material, including a field guide to the region's edible plants, he enters the desolate landscape, a place he does not leave.
Although the conclusion to the story is known, I do not believe that it affects the story in any negative way. In truth, it enhances the story; this style gives the reader a desire to find out what happened to this man. Jon Krakauer writes smoothly, and decisively, by not having the book move chronologically. This kept me in suspense of not knowing what direction the story is going to turn next. Although some people find this strategy of writing confusing and redundant, I believe that is serves the story well.
In the end, this bestselling book is a must read. It includes information on the Alaskan interior and stories of other unfortunate people who were claimed by the harsh climate. In addition, it allowed me to get to know Chris McCandless by bringing his unique ideals and ways to life. I was also able to relate a little with the man who wanted to be free of society and wander the country alone. The Jon Krakauer writing allowed me to feel for the character, and I also felt remorse as I found out how he met his grizzly end.
As he hitchhiked to the Alaskan countryside to begin his journey, Chris met one last person, a truck driver, Gallien. Gallien was the last person to see Christopher Johnson McCandless alive and well.
"Gallien briefly considered stopping and telling the authorities about Alex (Chris), then he thought better of it. "I figured he'd be OK, he explains. "I thought he'd get hungry pretty quick and just walk out to the highway. That is what any normal person would do."
Book Review: Wilderness
Summary: 5 Stars
Chris McCandless graduated with top of the class grades from Emory University, a stellar athlete, and fun person to be around. He was from a well to do family, had a nice sister, and many friends and relatives. What made him do it? What made him want to leave his home, and hike across the country to the Alaskan wilderness alone and without really any provisions or supplies to sustain him in such an unforgiving environment?
Chris graduated from Emory College in 1988 and soon after began a journey of a lifetime. His journey came to a close in 1992 when his body was found by two moose hunters in a deserted bus two-hundred miles northwest of Fairbanks, Alaska. Although his journey at times seems foolish and unintelligent, there are many lessons that can be taken away from it.
In the bestselling narrative, Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, the author attempts to uncover what made this young man leave all of his possessions and family behind. The wild can be a scary place. Denali National Forest is one of the harshest climates in the world. During the winter, it can reach temperatures of fifty below. "Alexander Supertramp," a drifter, a free soul, wandering the country with nothing but his pack on his back, is Chris McCandless transformed into a somewhat mythic character who dares to defy nature itself. Christopher loved his times as a hitchhiker. He gave himself this name at the outset of his journey. This novel made me greatly appreciate nature, and the power that it has. At any time nature has the ability to end a life. We must always remember that. It is not often that a young man has the vision and peace of mind to leave his home and everything he knows. He is able to see what is really important in his life, hence, the donation of his life savings to a worthy charity. He is able to see through the affluence around him, and look past the mansions and technology to see what is really crucial in life, love, passion, and the freedom to make choices for oneself. Some depict Supertramp as being arrogant, foolish, and stupid for attempting to take on the wilderness. I see him as a young man, whose curiosity and appreciation for nature make him want to be a part of it.
Krakauer who would become famous a year later for his book Into Thin Air, was marvelous in his depiction of nature and Supertramp's journey across the country. His ability to captivate the readers mind into the situation is truly spectacular. His use of knowledgeable vocabulary, and in-depth knowledge of the character and his beliefs, allow him to show the reader what McCandless was thinking and saying at all times
One can say whatever he wants about the stupidity of a young man with nothing more than a large bag of rice, and a Plants and Animals Guide for Alaska, to attempt to survive in the wilderness. But it is truly amazing that if not for a passage left out of the guide, he very well may have walked out of there come spring.
Christopher Johnson McCandless was a young man from a well to do family, who was able to invent a new name and life for himself.
"I will miss you too, but you are wrong if you think that the joy of life comes principally from the joy of human relationships. God's place is all around us, it is in everything and in anything we can experience. People just need to change the way they look at things, - Christopher McCandless."
Book Review: Modern Day Vision Quest
Summary: 5 Stars
Having loved the movie, and long put off reading the book (whose cover blurb sold me on it long before I knew of how well Krakauer wrote), I finally have read Into The Wild.
It is a life changing book, for me - a brilliant piece of work almost impossible to quantify for others, but I'll take a shot, briefly.
There are a lot of people (Alaskans, in particular) who resent the attention paid to Chris McCandless. He is considered by some to be an arrogant, and ill-prepared elite who had no sense at all to attempt what he accomplished. At the end of his great adventure he died, after all. As if that fact lays bare the nature and heart of what McCandless accomplished on his personal journey. The book spends a great deal of time addressing this attitude directly, and while everyone is all too aware of the errors and faults (some of which can be interpreted as arrogance, not using a map for instance), the author's impressions, research and conclusions tell a very different story.
This isn't about Alaska, or dying in Alaska. It is about our culture's detachment from honest, obvious and impacting rights of passage and how this natural need is bound to cost us the lives of some of our young - the ones daring enough to try to live life according to their own beliefs, passions and need for honest, truthful self discovery.
I shouldn't say what it is about, really. I've read many reviews and opinions wherein the writer gives their interpretation of 'what it is about' and accuse others of 'not getting it'. That is one of the beauties of this book - it is necessarily going to carry a different message to many different people.
Parents may face the cold reality that they do not ultimately control their children when they mature - and that the grey line between childhood and adulthood necessitates some dangerous transitions, if it is to benefit the adult in the making.
Mortality isn't something many in the West are comfortable with - to have died (whatever quality of life proceeds it) is the ultimate failure to many people. That this attitude prescribes a life of fear and limitation seems to escape most. Chris lived more life than many such people, and did so in 1/4 the time.
I'm predictably rambling and being less coherent than I'd like, so I'll start to close with a quote from the book:
"It is hardly unusual for a young man to be drawn to a pursuit considered reckless by his elders; engaging in risky behavior is a rite of passage in our culture no less that in most others. Danger always held a certain allure. That , in large part, is why so many teenagers drive too fast and drink too much and take too many drugs, why it has always been so easy for nations to recruit young men to go to war. It can be argued that youthful derring-do is in fact evolutionarily adaptive, a behavior encoded in our genes. McCandless, in his fashion, merely took risk-taking to its logical extreme."
I feel that McCandless ultimately gave us a worthy example mixed perfectly with a cautionary tale, and the jewels he unearthed through hard work most of us would never dream of attempting. After all was said and done, he concluded "HAPPINESS ONLY REAL WHEN SHARED", an intensely powerful conclusion for someone to attain after leaving everyone else behind.