Amazon.co.uk Review What would possess a gifted young man recently graduated from college to literally walk away from his life? Noted outdoor writer and mountaineer Jon Krakauer tackles that question in his reporting on Chris McCandless, whose emaciated body was found in an abandoned bus in the Alaskan wilderness in 1992.
Described by friends and relatives as smart, literate, compassionate and funny, did McCandless simply read too much Thoreau and Jack London and lose sight of the dangers of heading into the wilderness alone? Krakauer, whose own adventures have taken him to the perilous heights of Everest, provides some answers by exploring the pull the outdoors, seductive yet often dangerous, has had on his own life. --Amazon.com
In To The Wild.... superbly intenseDecember 7, 2008 I can across this book by chance. I wanted to read a book that involved travel and adventure. I wanted a book that wasn't full of extreme storylines but a simple book.
In To The Wild is a wonderful book. It's so emotional. You can't help but become emotional attached to Chris. He reminded me of myself or others I know. Some say what a fool he was to waste his young life unnecessarily, but to die achieving your dream is a life worth living. Many of us have dreams that over time never evolve into reality. I have pure admiration for what Chris achieved and for all he believed in. To live a life more intensely and naturally is a life we should aim for.
Jon Krakauer is an excellent author who slowly lets the adventure unfold, although the two chapters which tells his own story I found misplaced and unneeded.
I would recommend this book to anybody. It makes you reflect upon your own ethics and way of life. If Chris' death could help anybody fulfil their dreams it's a life that was not wasted.
Heart breakingOctober 14, 2008 I watched the movie before I read the book, and while the movie brought tears to my eyes, the book broke my heart (SOBBING). I NEVER read a book after I have watched its movie but Jon Karkuer did an amazing job. Even though I knew how it would end I still found myself wanting, hoping, praying Christopher McCandless would make it out alive. I am a first time reader of Jon Karkuers' work and I am really impressed.
Beautiful Blueberries!September 23, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I got into Jon Krakauer through Joe Simpson books and have found him to be an excellent writer. With little material to go on he manages to paint a vivid picture of Chris McCandless and his adventures across the USA. Towards the end of the book, Jon relies mostly on guesswork as to what happened with Chris, and I thought it extremely well done. The only point which jarred slightly for me was Jon describing his troubles with his father, which didn't seem entirely relevant to the rest of the plot. However, one sentence from the book (written by Chris in his copy of Dr Zhivago) will always remain with me: "Happiness is only real when shared with others". Read it and enjoy.
the film might be more easy to understand !!!!August 19, 2008 1 out of 3 found this review helpful
takes a very long time for the story to get going and you could very easy put this book down and move on.
Unforgettable AdventureJuly 31, 2008 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Think adventure, dream of being free, living each day as it comes, never really knowing what joys or hardships tomorrow may bring.
This is the story of Chris McCandless, who in 1992 abondoned everything in search of adventure and survival in the Alaskan wilderness. Notes, lettersw and diaries discovered after he was found dead in an old bus detailed his day to day adventure after leaving his home state of Atlanta.
This true story ends in tragedy, but the very way Chris lives freely during that time has a rather uplifting affect.
Whether you read the book or see the film, I highly recommend this one.
