Into the Wild (1996)

A fascinating book about Chris McCandless and others like him who forsake the modern world for the wilds, for risk, and for adventures that push their lives to the limits and sometimes beyond. It's a pretty quick read that references a lot of the material Chris read, a lot of the people he came in contact with and tries to paint a picture of him as a real person with faults and virtues. The only thing I'd have liked to see in this book that wasn't there is a copy of his journals and a more extensive list of the things he was reading and the portions he highlighted or noted/commented on in the margins. That might have shed more light on his mental processes. ( )

I initially had some reservations about reading this book. I had heard a lot of hype about it, both good and bad, and it seemed like most people who read it focused on judging the decisions made by the subject, Chris McCandless. It's definitely tempting. An educated young man from an affluent family decides to live as a bum, ultimately ending up in the wilds of Alaska where he dies, seemingly from his own recklessness, when he could have opted for one of the many opportunities at his disposal instead and had a bright and successful future.

Well, there are no guarantees in life. McCandless could have died just as easily while crossing the street. He could have seized the more conventional opportunities that life presented him with and ended up living a miserable, if lucrative, life. Who's to say which is a better choice for someone else to make? So as I read this book, (with the exception of noting that the book is well researched, and the author seems passionate about getting the facts straight), I considered it a work of fiction, thereby freeing myself from making judgements about McCandless and worrying that my comments would in any way be construed as condoning his behavior.

Jon Krakauer has an easy writing style that holds the attention. He tells the tale of a young man who seeks a deeper meaning which can only come from within. In order to achieve the level of introspection needed to accomplish this, the young man leaves his family and hits the road, learning to live in solitude, off the land, and in extreme conditions. The man enjoys the company of others and is by no means a recluse, but seems to feel that the answers he seeks can only be discovered when stripped of company and comforts. It is by no means a new tale, as narratives abound in which man turns to nature to answer the questions that burn within his soul, but it is a retelling that I enjoyed very much. ( )

When I finish a book I usually look at the reviews of other goodreaders and when I find an interesting review I follow the writer so that I see other reviews. So I follow about 40 reviewers. I was astonished that 10 of them had either read this book or were planning to - I don't think I've ever seen so many for a single book! I found it hard going and hard to care for the young man beyond a general sadness for a young life cut short. It only engaged me properly around half way through when the author started comparing him to other wanderers in the wilderness and then to his own dangerous wanderings. His obsession with the details of Chris/Alex's short life came into focus and the book felt less like a rather peeping Tom look into someone's very private life. ( )

The movie, which I had watched years ago, disappointed me quite a bit, so I hoped to gain a better understanding of McCandless' life by reading Krakauer's book. Indeed, Krakauer did a great job tracing McCandless' journey all over the American continent, speaking to his family, friends and people the young man met along the way. Krakauer provides a compelling look into McCandless' thoughts and motivations. He also touches on the tragic escapades of other men who went into the Alaskan wild on their own and didn't come back. While the movie mostly romanticises McCandless' aspirations, the book respectfully provides various points of view and explanations for what has (possibly) happened. ( )

It is hard to explain my fascination with characters such as Chris McCandless and Everett Ruess. This book is a wonderful exploration of Chris' life. Read it first, then see the movie. You will want to see so much more of this incredibly interesting world. ( )