Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer is a non-fiction book that follows the fascinating and tragic story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned his possessions, cut ties with his family, and ventured into the Alaskan wilderness. The book delves into McCandless' motivations, his struggles for survival, and the philosophical questions surrounding his choices, all while exploring themes of self-discovery, adventure, and the allure of nature.
Krakauer's writing style in Into the Wild is described as well-researched, thought-provoking, and compelling. The narrative not only focuses on McCandless' journey but also includes the author's personal reflections and experiences, adding depth and emotion to the story. Through interviews, personal journal entries, and detailed accounts, Krakauer presents a gripping tale that forces readers to reflect on themes of youth, independence, and the consequences of living on the edge of society.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings may include themes of mental health, death, solitude, and existential questioning.
From The Publisher:
Krakauer's page-turning bestseller explores a famed missing person mystery while unraveling the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons.
"Terrifying… Eloquent… A heart-rending drama of human yearning." -New York Times
In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.
Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and, unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild.
Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interst that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the drives and desires that propelled McCandless.
When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity, and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding-and not an ounce of sentimentality. Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.
Ratings (133)
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4 comment(s)
This book is a cautionary tale about a young man's search for himself and meaning, his tragedy ending and the grief felt by those left behind. I'll admit this is a book I normally wouldn't have picked to read on my own and having finished, I can't imagine that I'll ever read it again....honestly, this just isn't my kind of book.
Krakauer is a talented author, but I almost did not finish this book. I just did not care for, or like, the main character. These stories are always about rich white privileged men (boys, really). He did nothing heroic or brave or anything that contributed to society. He may have had mental illness (some pieces about him and his writing sounds like maybe he had mania with delusions of grandeur). If he did not have a mental illness, he was selfish and narcissistic, immature, and didn't seem particularly bright or well-spoken or well-written. Why don't they ever write a story about the natives who have survived off the land for years or the impoverished youth of Alaska? Real survivors? It is not brave when you know you can always run back to your daddy and continue your sheltered privileged life. I was rolling my eyes the entire time. A magazine article was the proper length for this non-story, not a book and a movie.
I have various thoughts about this book, but none are particularly positive. I'm contemplating how to distinguish my feelings about Chris from my opinions on the book itself, and where to begin.
So let me start with this, I believe this book should never have been written. There is simply nothing to talk about. Chris wasn't particularly unique. Many young people like him feel misunderstood and seek purpose by escaping from society. The streets of major cities and homeless shelters are teeming with similar stories. One could easily recall someone who, like Chris, had everything but abandoned it all in pursuit of an elusive dream or adventure, or succumbed to addiction. Chris didn't fall into addiction but rather fled to test his survival skills in a remote area. Why should I bother reading about Christopher Johnson McCandless?
Secondly, both the book and the film based on it somewhat romanticize Chris's choices and actions, attributing heroic significance to them undeservedly. In my view, there's nothing heroic about it—just youthful bravado, ample of ambition, and arrogance. Chris's worldview aligns with anarchism, laissez-faire, and nature philosophy, which is hardly ground-breaking or unique. Many young people share similar beliefs. Attempting to elevate Chris as special simply because he ventured into the Alaskan wilderness in his youthful arrogance, ill-prepared, is wholly inappropriate.
I see Chris as a man who was incredibly fortunate in life yet failed to appreciate it. Despite occasional rifts with his parents, there's no doubt he was loved by his family. Throughout his travels, he encountered numerous kind-hearted individuals who treated him like a son and would have welcomed him into their families. Yet he chose to reject it all in pursuit of his grand adventure, forsaking everything associated with societal life. He broke the hearts of many, including his sister whom he professed to love deeply. It's regrettable that he seemingly grasped this too late. His arrogance, propensity for recklessness, and belief in his own infallibility ultimately led to his senseless death, when help was within reach. To me, it's the senseless death of a young man who could have benefited from psychological support.
Regarding the book itself, it didn't meet my expectations. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it didn't feel like I was reading a genuine biography of a real person; it seemed more like fiction. Perhaps this is because little is known about Chris's life during this period, leaving little material for the author to work with. Krakauer attempted to piece together Chris's life from fragmentary information, but the results, in my opinion, are unsatisfactory. However, this isn't necessarily Krakauer's fault; there simply wasn't much drama or mystery to Chris's life, nothing to keep me eagerly turning the pages. The two chapters in which the author recounts his own journey to Devil's Thumb were the most captivating for me, filled with emotion and drama lacking elsewhere in the book.
I don't relate to Chris, nor do I respect him. This book failed to captivate me with his life story. Perhaps I'll watch the highly acclaimed movie someday. I rate this book 2.5 stars. Perhaps I'll read another book by this author to see if it's just this particular story I dislike or if it's the author's style in general.
Incredibly interesting investigation & telling of Mccandless' story.
What can you read after
Into the Wild?
About the Author:
Jon Krakauer is the author of eight books and has received an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. According to the award citation, "Krakauer combines the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of…
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