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agatha_hopkins's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Not one of my favorite books, but it was a decent read. Read as part of our sort of "Transcendentalism" unit in school. I had already read a review about the book, which most definitely led to a biased viewpoint, but I would probably have drawn a similar viewpoint.
This book was well-written, and the author, Jon Krakauer, clearly went into much effort and research to put it together.
That said, despite the author's attempt to convince me that what Chris McCandless did was noble and mature, I found much evidence to the contrary.
The credibility also begins to fall apart at the end with the speculation about the specific way that he died. Sure, Chris was generous, but he was far from humble. He believed in his ability to be able to conquer the wilderness to the point that it got himself killed. He almost died in the desert, but that only convinced him to pursue it further.
I lack the ability to relate to Chris. I consider myself smart, but I would never consider myself clever enough to say I know everything I need to know.
This book was well-written, and the author, Jon Krakauer, clearly went into much effort and research to put it together.
That said, despite the author's attempt to convince me that what Chris McCandless did was noble and mature, I found much evidence to the contrary.
I lack the ability to relate to Chris. I consider myself smart, but I would never consider myself clever enough to say I know everything I need to know.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Dysphoria, Infidelity, Body horror, and Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Cursing, Addiction, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Mentions how his body changes from starvation and living off the wild.chelle22's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Cannibalism, Deadnaming, Cursing, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Abandonment, and Animal death
d_t_havarson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
And I could swear
That the ocean sings, and the mountains talk to me
I could swear
That I hear her breath, and her heartbeat in the air
I could swear
I could swear
Reading this book for the second time one can't help but to recognize the apologetic patterns Jon Krakauer adopts while talking wistfully about Chris McCandless' life. In cruel and bitter disregard I chalked this book, once deemed one of my favorites, as just another journalistic attempt at glorifying an absentminded youth's attempt at tempting the wild.
However, one can never forget what Chris has done. It has been immortalized throughout film and media, all thanks to Krakauer's inquisitive work and most importantly of all, through Supertramp's ill-fated journey. The comments on McCandless' journey, weather positive or negative, fueled by this book, will forever remain nothing more than scattered thoughts of strangers of a life lived according to one's ideals. That said, I cannot rate this book in a manner of stars, I cannot rate it in any matter at all, I can only read it, try to comprehend what little we now of someone's travels and enrich my life with a fraction of the reflectiveness woven into this work.
That the ocean sings, and the mountains talk to me
I could swear
That I hear her breath, and her heartbeat in the air
I could swear
I could swear
Reading this book for the second time one can't help but to recognize the apologetic patterns Jon Krakauer adopts while talking wistfully about Chris McCandless' life. In cruel and bitter disregard I chalked this book, once deemed one of my favorites, as just another journalistic attempt at glorifying an absentminded youth's attempt at tempting the wild.
However, one can never forget what Chris has done. It has been immortalized throughout film and media, all thanks to Krakauer's inquisitive work and most importantly of all, through Supertramp's ill-fated journey. The comments on McCandless' journey, weather positive or negative, fueled by this book, will forever remain nothing more than scattered thoughts of strangers of a life lived according to one's ideals. That said, I cannot rate this book in a manner of stars, I cannot rate it in any matter at all, I can only read it, try to comprehend what little we now of someone's travels and enrich my life with a fraction of the reflectiveness woven into this work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, Death, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Infidelity, and Eating disorder
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