Monday, January 26

Into the Wild



This book is engrossing!

Written by Jon Krakauer, and now made into a movie, directed by Sean Penn, it is the story of 24 year old Christopher McCandless, who in 1992 went into the wilds of Alaska and perished after 16 weeks of living on his own. The book recounts his travels and eventual death.

It should be required reading for anyone who fancies himself a lone wolf and wants to go on an odyssey into a forbidding land, and it is a cautionary tale for those who have no use for maps and tools, for planning and careful readiness.

We saw the movie recently; both that and the book are well done (check the link for comparisons) and I recommend them.

You know how once you see/hear about something you notice it more often? On Saturday I was with someone who was car shopping. I sat in the dealership waiting room and read old magazines, one of which was a 2007 issue of National Geographic Traveler. In that magazine was a story about McCandless, the book by Krakauer and the movie.

18 comments:

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Thanks visiting my blog and for commenting. It's always nice to see new faces and I hope you'll come back soon. :)

Peter said...

G'day Judy, I'll keep a lookout for that book and movie, I have been very lax of late just read back your posts that I hadn't seen, loved the "Then the fight started" and "Extinction" ones.
BTW, yes you had mentioned the adoptive family link to Captain Cook, I'm impressed.

Pat said...

This sounds like the sort of book I would enjoy. How prolific is Sean Penn. His 'Milk' is all over the place and he's always good value if only to see his latest hair style:)

Bobkat said...

I'd heard about the movie and it sounds interesting. Can't say I fancy following in his footsteps. I think I'd rather be a lone wolf somewhere warm with plenty of chocolate ;)

Arkansas Patti said...

Saw the movie and enjoyed it. I admired Christopher's quest and morned his lonely death.
My library didn't have "The Year of Fog"---darn. Keep the recommendations coming. always looking for new books to read.

Eddie said...

Judy,
We saw it too! Great movie!

Tabor said...

I have the book in a pile on my end table by the bed. It is too depressing to read in the winter...so may this summer. I never see the movies before reading the book so will probably see it on Netflix.

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

I am forwarding this information to my son. I think he would like to read this book. Thanks for the information

sage said...

I really do need to read this book--Krakauer is a great writer. Although I've done my share of "lone" traveling in the backcountry, I certainly don't go in without a desire to come back, and do go prepared.

Diane Mandy said...

I hadn't heard of this book or movie before. Now I am sure to look for it!

whimsical brainpan said...

Looks like I'm going to have to check both the book and the movie out. It sounds very interesting. thanks for sharing.

Ginnie said...

Thanks for the book review, Judy. I am a voracious reader and will definitely check this out.

whimsical brainpan said...

I added the movie to my Netflix queue!

BTW, you have been tagged.

Betty said...

I saw the movie, too, and found it a bit depressing. It seemed to me that the boy never really expected to make it home.

Kay Dennison said...

Sounds great -- I'll add it to my reading list and get to it in time.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I saw the film and thought it was wonderfully well done. Lovely performances by evryone...I have not read the book, and truthfully, probably won't just because I have such a back-log of things I am tryimg to get to....But it is great to know that the book is wonderful too...
Thanks for the Reviews of both, my dear.

brendalove@gmail.com said...

I might have to check it out. Although the idea of heading out into the wilderness is growing less and less attractive to me as I grow older.

Lifeofkaylen said...

I loved both the book and the movie. Both really were well done.

I find random things that connect in my life as well...I like it, it feels special. :)