Summary
Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild is a gripping non-fiction book that explores the life and tragic death of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned society to venture into the Alaskan wilderness. Published in 1996, this international bestseller has been translated into 30 languages and has become a staple in high school and college curriculums.
The book delves into McCandless's motivations, his two-year journey across North America, and the circumstances that led to his demise in the Alaskan backcountry. Krakauer's meticulous research and engaging prose style have made Into the Wild a compelling read that raises profound questions about society, self-reliance, and the allure of nature.
In 2007, Sean Penn directed a critically acclaimed film adaptation of Into the Wild, starring Emile Hirsch as Christopher McCandless. The movie brought renewed attention to McCandless's story and further cemented the book's place in popular culture. Both the book and film have sparked ongoing debates about wilderness safety, personal freedom, and the complex relationship between humans and nature.
Plot
In April 1992, Christopher Johnson McCandless, a young man from a wealthy family, hitchhiked to Alaska and ventured alone into the wilderness. Prior to his journey, he had donated his savings to charity, abandoned his possessions, and adopted the name “Alexander Supertramp.” McCandless spent the next few months living off the land and documenting his experiences in a journal.
The story traces McCandless's travels over the two years leading up to his Alaskan adventure. After graduating from Emory University, he embarked on a cross-country road trip, working odd jobs and forming connections with various people he met along the way. His ultimate goal was to experience a pure, unencumbered life in the wild, inspired by the writings of authors like Jack London and Henry David Thoreau.
In Alaska, McCandless set up camp in an abandoned bus on the Stampede Trail. He foraged for food and attempted to live off the land, but struggled with the harsh realities of wilderness survival. As summer turned to fall, he found himself trapped by a swollen river and unable to leave his camp. Weakened by hunger and possible poisoning from toxic plants, McCandless's health began to deteriorate.
In August 1992, approximately four months after entering the Alaskan wilderness, Christopher McCandless died alone in the abandoned bus. His body was discovered by moose hunters a few weeks later, along with his journal, camera, and an SOS note. The book explores the circumstances of his death, including various theories about what may have caused his demise in the unforgiving Alaskan wilderness.
Themes
Pursuit of freedom and self-reliance
Man versus nature
Idealism and naivety of youth
Father-son relationships and family dynamics
Materialism and rejection of society
Search for identity and meaning
Survival and the human will to live
Setting
Into the Wild is primarily set in the early 1990s, with Christopher McCandless's journey beginning in 1990 and culminating in his death in Alaska in August 1992. This era was characterized by economic prosperity and technological advancements, yet also saw a growing counterculture movement that rejected materialism and sought meaning in nature and simple living.
The book's geographical scope spans much of North America, tracing McCandless's travels across the United States. Key locations include his starting point in Atlanta, Georgia; his abandoned car in Arizona's Mojave Desert; and his work stints in places like Carthage, South Dakota. However, the most significant setting is the Alaskan wilderness, specifically the area north of Mount McKinley (now known as Denali) where McCandless spent his final months.
The climax of the story unfolds along the Stampede Trail in Alaska, with McCandless taking shelter in an abandoned bus known as “Bus 142” or the “Magic Bus.” This remote location, surrounded by untamed wilderness, becomes both McCandless's refuge and ultimately, his final resting place. The harsh, unforgiving nature of this Alaskan landscape serves as a powerful backdrop to the themes of survival, self-reliance, and the raw beauty of nature that permeate the narrative.
Key Figures
Christopher McCandless: The main subject of the book. A young idealist who abandoned society to live in the wilderness of Alaska. McCandless was intelligent, idealistic, and influenced by transcendentalist writers. He died alone in the Alaskan wilderness at the age of 24 after living off the land for several months.
Jon Krakauer: The author and narrator of the book. Krakauer investigates McCandless's life and death, drawing parallels to his own youthful adventures. He provides analysis and context for McCandless's journey.
Walt and Billie McCandless: Christopher's parents. They struggled to understand their son's actions and were devastated by his death. Their complicated relationship with Christopher is explored in the book.
Carine McCandless: Christopher's younger sister. She was close to her brother and provides insights into his character and motivations.
Wayne Westerberg: A grain elevator operator in South Dakota who employed McCandless. He became a friend and father figure to Christopher during his travels.
Jan Burres and Bob: A pair of itinerant travelers who befriended McCandless during his journey. They provided him with occasional shelter and supplies.
Ronald Franz: An elderly man who formed a grandfatherly bond with McCandless in California. He offered to adopt Christopher as his grandson.
Jim Gallien: The last person known to have seen McCandless alive. He gave Christopher a ride to the Stampede Trail in Alaska.
Quick facts
The book was originally published as a 9,000-word article titled “Death of an Innocent” in Outside magazine in 1993.
Jon Krakauer interviewed over 100 people while researching the book.
The abandoned bus where McCandless lived has become known as “The Magic Bus” and was a popular but dangerous tourist destination until its removal in 2020.
Krakauer draws parallels between McCandless's journey and his own youthful adventures, including an attempt to climb the Devils Thumb in Alaska.
The book has been translated into over 30 languages and printed in 173 editions and formats.
It is widely used as required reading in high schools and colleges across the United States.
Krakauer donated most of his earnings from the book to charity, including a scholarship fund in McCandless's name.
The cause of McCandless's death was debated for years, with Krakauer revising his theories in later editions of the book.
Sean Penn directed a film adaptation of the book in 2007, starring Emile Hirsch as McCandless.
In 2019, Slate magazine listed Into the Wild as one of the 50 best nonfiction works of the past quarter-century.
About the Author
Jon Krakauer is an acclaimed American writer and mountaineer best known for his gripping nonfiction books on outdoor adventures and tragedies. Born in 1954 in Massachusetts, Krakauer developed a passion for mountain climbing at a young age. After graduating from Hampshire College in 1976 with a degree in environmental studies, he pursued a career in journalism while continuing to climb challenging peaks around the world.
Krakauer's breakthrough came with his 1996 book Into the Wild, which investigated the life and death of young adventurer Christopher McCandless in the Alaskan wilderness. This was followed by Into Thin Air in 1997, Krakauer's harrowing firsthand account of the 1996 Mount Everest disaster in which eight climbers perished. Both books became international bestsellers and cemented Krakauer's reputation as a masterful storyteller able to bring remote adventures to life for readers.
In subsequent works, Krakauer has tackled controversial topics like religious extremism in Under the Banner of Heaven and military cover-ups in Where Men Win Glory. His meticulous research and compelling narrative style have earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1999. Critics praise Krakauer's ability to combine “the tenacity and courage of the finest tradition of investigative journalism with the stylish subtlety and profound insight of the born writer."
Beyond his writing, Krakauer remains an advocate for mountain safety and has been outspoken about the commercialization of Mount Everest expeditions. He has also established funds to support humanitarian causes related to his books. Through his gripping prose and unflinching investigations, Krakauer continues to shed light on the profound human dramas that unfold in some of the world's most extreme and unforgiving environments.
