Into The Wild
*** by Jon Krakauer.
The cover tells you exactly what the book is about, but I'll summarize it even more briefly: a 24-year-old goes to Alaska, attempts to live off the land, dies in three months.
The story is a reconstruction of the last year of Chris McCandless's life, based on conversations with his family and people he met on his way to Alaska. Chris finished college and disappeared (as far as his family could tell), on his personal odyssey. He planned to make his way to Alaska, live there on as close to nothing as possible for as long as possible.
Everything I've thought of to write about this book makes it sound silly. It's to toe the line between condemning him for his foolishness and praising him for his courage to do what most people are afraid to do. Chris was (as far as a reader of the story can tell) a very smart, amiable, caring person who took happened to take some ideas to extremes, costing him his life. Krakauer did his homework, and presents the story in a non-judgmental way, which makes reading this book a worthwhile (and short) investment of time. It takes longer to sort out just what to feel about McCandless, and the impact that his life should have on yours. I guess I'm still thinking about it.
Posted by Joe on January 14, 2003 11:43 PM
Comments
I'm a fan of both "Into the Wild" and "Into Thin Air." I haven't read this book in several years, but I found it to be a rather refreshing look at someone's life who decided to shrug away a lot of what we consider necessary in our lives. Krakauer at least made me think about if I would ever come to the same conclusions as Chris seemed to have, and why or why not? It's a good look at a life that has taken an extreme direction away from the typical one in America. I think it's good to read about that life, if for no other reason than to use it as a lens with which to view how you're living and the conscious (and unconscious) choices you make in terms of how you want to live.
Hi. I'm Karina. I'm doin a report on this guy and I was wonderin if u could give me the '411' on Chris McCandless's life. Please respond ASAP!
Posted by Karina at March 27, 2003 05:28 PM
What a terrific book, I am not a reader, therefore the audio was for me, it is the best book I have ever listened to. Are any of the pictures available for view from Chris?
Dale
Posted by Dale Farmer at July 9, 2003 05:35 PM
me too! I wanna see mo pictures!
Posted by Alf at August 27, 2003 02:16 PM
i would like to see more pictures of the encounters of chris mccandless' adventure into the wild?
Posted by justin bamonte at November 25, 2003 12:30 AM
I am extremely interested in seeing some of the pictures Chris took during his "walk in the wild"!!
Posted by Mike S. at December 11, 2003 02:28 AM
I want some pictures of his life before he went into the wild
Posted by Carter Coulombe at January 11, 2004 03:53 PM
You can find pictures of the life of Chris McCandless prior to his journey into the wild on this website:
http://www.chellman.org/smeewhacker/portfolio19.html
Posted by Chris McCandless at January 11, 2004 08:51 PM
I'm 14 and have a college reading level and i just read this book in class and i would really appreciat it if i could receve some of the pictures taken by Chris McCandless please respond as soone as posible.
Thank you
Posted by Cass Melin at February 27, 2004 08:51 PM
I'am also 14 same as Cass and we are reading this book in class and i would also really appreciate if you could send me some pictures or give me info to find some
Thanks you
Apparently college reading level does not correlate to skill in spelling, does it?
Or, for that matter, with a reasonable level of common sense. What makes you think I would have left any pictures of myself? Would my family be publishing pictures of me on the web where people who never knew me could see them?
If I were your kid, would you?
[ This has been a real answer from a fake Chris McCandless. If you were wondering. ]
Posted by Chris McCandless at March 1, 2004 11:18 PM
I have just read into the wild. and i would be greatful if you could let lme no if there is any pictures of the journey of chris or even oics of himself.
Mary ellen ohagan NI
Posted by mary ellen ohagan at March 25, 2004 09:10 AM
I recently read Into the Wild and i found it extremely enlightening. The book of Chris MCcandless's life opened my eyes to possibliities that society would not exactly agree with. I think Chris as a brilliant man and had alot of balls to do what he did.
Posted by Leppy at March 30, 2004 08:05 PM
I'm nearing 60 and have been reading and listening to the audio book of Into the Wild for a number of years. Most of the stoic old farts who've sold out to their stocks and bonds existence are the type who look upon people like Chris with disdain..... They can't remember ever being a kid who'd hit the road with a less than full tank of gas and twenty bucks in their pocket, no credit card and not much of an itinerary except to "go" or "get there".
Recently, my love for Chris was rekindled when I found a copy of the Millennium series - season two - #3, that has a show titled "Luminary". It is the story of Chris - in the show he's called "Alex"... This isn't the movie I've waited for since first getting exposure to the story years ago, but it'll do for now......
I find it strange that Chris' family has not built a website in honor of their son. My 16 year old daughter lost her life in an auto accident in 2002 and I feel that it's the least I can do to keep her memory alive for her friends and family, and strangers.... Not being too web savvy, it's pretty barren, but someday I hope to be able to do something better...(see aliciacblake.net)
My Google search has rewarded me with quite a fine variety of items about and related to Chris. I am thankful that we live in such an age. And my thanks to all of you who keep his memory alive in a world that is turning ever more away from those of us who still cherish the sounds of the owl and coyote, the absolute blackness of a moonless night in the desert, and those who seek truth instead of capital gain........ Don
Posted by Don Blake at December 18, 2005 05:58 PM