Okay, here's the book everyone grabs when given the assignment: read an adventure story. Chris McCandless, fresh out of college, roamed the country for a year as he sought the kind of experiences Jack London invited and endured a century earlier. He ended up hitchhiking and riding the rails as he worked to equip himself to spend a season in Alaska...alone.
Chris turned out to be an incredibly stubborn guy who ultimately entered the Alaskan bush in late spring, ill-prepared and penniless by choice, determined to rely on nothing but native intelligence, rifle, and rice, of course. He left behind a map but carried a field guide to edible plants. The book's cover informs you that his decomposed body was discovered four months after he went in. You know how he ended. The question is: what happened?
Let us know what you find out by posting a comment and offering your opinion: was he just an arrogant rich kid, as many of the Alaskans thought, or did he have something else in mind, something to prove? Tell us, 'cause we want to know what you think!
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2 comments:
Though it's been a few years since I read this book, I'm surprised by how much has stuck with me. I far prefer it to Into Thin Air, perhaps because of the mystery that surrounds what happened. It is similar to The Perfect Storm in that way. It also is still pretty relevant, since hikers and backpackers still get into trouble in the wild. As much technology as we may have, we can't every really prepare for what may happen.
This is a sad story, but also uplifting in a way. The intensity of Chris McCandless and his search for himself won't be forgotten by anyone who reads this story. If you like the outdoors you will like this book.
I will be interested to see the movie because I don't know how they will manage to make it interesting.
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