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    James 04-25-16
    James 04-25-16 Member Since 2015
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    "Okay."

    I thought Cherly Strayed's "Wild" was better. This guy seems pretty self-absorbed. Not bad though, an ok way to pass some time.

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Karen Kelly California 01-23-16
    Karen Kelly California 01-23-16
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    "For once, the movie is better than the book"
    What did you like best about A Walk in the Woods? What did you like least?

    The story is great. But - the author goes off on long lectures about the environment and global warming and past bad Forest Services practices. The problem is that this takes you away from a great story. The movie leaves out the lectures, and you're left with a great story. There's just one scene where the environment is discussed, which was good. When I want to read about depressing environmental stories, I'll go read one. When I want an entertaining story about two old guys in the woods, that's what I want. I don't think the two can be blended without putting a major damper on an otherwise good story. I am returning the book. I didn't finish it. I watched the movie instead hoping they filtered out the lectures, and they did. I've never said a movie was better than the book before. But, in this case, it was.


    Which character – as performed by Rob McQuay – was your favorite?

    Enjoyed them all.


    Could you see A Walk in the Woods being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

    Has been done. Movie is great. Better than the book, because it leaves out all the lectures.


    Any additional comments?

    Watch the movie instead. I'm returning the book unfinished. Got sick of getting a lecture when I just wanted to know what happens next.

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    David Clark 01-05-16
    David Clark 01-05-16 Member Since 2013
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    "Both versions are great ."

    I like both versions, the abridged one read bt Bill Bryson is funnier. It's not boring. As the author says , it makes me want to throw a loaf of bread and a tin of tea in a pack and head out .

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Jaime Robbins Bloomington, IN United States 01-02-16
    Jaime Robbins Bloomington, IN United States 01-02-16 Member Since 2014
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    "read the book"

    I have read the book a couple of times and enjoyed this recording. The narrator sounds as I would imagine Bill Bryson to sound.

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    ken 12-31-15
    ken 12-31-15 Member Since 2013
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    "Had high expectations, but not"

    Had high expectations, but "it was what I expected." I enjoyed the tales, accounts, and descriptions of the Trail, and his encounters. The author complains a lot, and that is tiresome. He didn't have much good to say about the South; if you ever wonder why Southerners dislike New England Yankees, he is a good example of why.
    The narrator, was also disappointing. He made Katz seem to be a dimwit. I wish more narrators would just read the darn book.

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    3 of 4 people found this review helpful
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    Idaho Trojan 12-17-15
    Idaho Trojan 12-17-15
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    "Two goofballs getting lost and found ..."
    What did you love best about A Walk in the Woods?

    Very entertaining story of a personal journey against the backdrop of an incredible physical accomplishment. I loved the interaction between the two main characters and could see myself in one then the other and then back again, over and over. It almost felt like a conversation all within the author's head at times (which happens to me often on the trail).


    What other book might you compare A Walk in the Woods to and why?

    It has some similarities but just as many differences to Into the Wild (more personal demons), Wild (more personal demons, less about hiking), Kindness of Strangers (less wilderness), The Pilgrimage (way more spiritual), AWOL on the Appalachian Trail (much more about hiking and from experienced perspective),


    Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

    Definitely laughed from time to time and other times I definitely relived the pain of my very first backpacking trip!


    Any additional comments?

    This "hiking" story is much more of a story versus a trail journal. So as long as you go into it looking for a story and not a recounting of what gear he used or mileage covered daily, then you'll enjoy it!

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    E Grapevine, TX, United States 09-18-15
    E Grapevine, TX, United States 09-18-15 Member Since 2015
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    "Entertaining but a bit too didactic."

    Love Bryson's style & wit, but he drones on a bit with statistics on the climate and forest between his storyline

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    1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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    Rob Settle 08-17-13
    Rob Settle 08-17-13 Member Since 2014
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    "Comsi comsa"

    At times, amusing, at times, boring, and steeped in information about the Appalachian Trail and the portion of America it spans. The reader does a very credible job, but it is mostly first person and with few voices, it isn't a demanding read. I bought the book looking for humor and found very little. I listened from beginning to end because I was fascinated with the author's experience and reactions, as well as the lessons in natural history. Knowing what I know now, would I buy it again? Maybe, maybe not.

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    4 of 6 people found this review helpful
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    Thomas Albuquerque, NM, United States 12-11-15
    Thomas Albuquerque, NM, United States 12-11-15 Member Since 2013
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    "Not as good as advertised."
    Is there anything you would change about this book?

    Get a good editor. Also, more about the trail, the people who hike it, why they hike it, and the country around it. Less Bill and Katz. They aren't very interesting people. At least not on the trial and with each other. And give us reasons to care about the trail and people who hike it.


    How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

    It could have been 1/2 to 2/3 the length and still fine. It was not a compelling story. I didn't care if he made it or not - Bryson doesn't give the reader a reason to care about whether he makes it because, in part, the characters don't care.


    What didn’t you like about Rob McQuay’s performance?

    Put me to sleep. Even Mr. McQuay was not interested in what Bill was doing and why.


    Was A Walk in the Woods worth the listening time?

    Yes, but just barely. I wish I hadn't put off other books for this one.


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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful
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    Nick Bloomington, WI, United States 04-14-13
    Nick Bloomington, WI, United States 04-14-13 Member Since 2014
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    "Great book, narration lacking"
    Would you try another book from Bill Bryson and/or Rob McQuay?

    I am a huge fan of Bill Bryson. His wit, his insights and style are amazing but this narration is disappointing. There is no depth or inflection...


    What did you like best about this story?

    The book. Read it and pass on this listen


    How did the narrator detract from the book?

    Basically lik ehe read the phone book....boring


    What character would you cut from A Walk in the Woods?

    None.


    Any additional comments?

    This is a great opportunity to use Audible's return policy

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    2 of 3 people found this review helpful