Into the Wild

By: Jon Krakauer

Narrated by: Philip Franklin

Length: 7 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's summary

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. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. 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. His body - along with a camera with five rolls of film, an SOS note, and a cryptic diary written in the back pages of a book about edible plants - was found six months later by a hunter.

©2007 Jon Krakauer (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A narrative of arresting force. Anyone who ever fancied wandering off to face nature on its own harsh terms should give a look. It's gripping stuff."—Washington Post

"Compelling and tragic ... Hard to put down." —San Francisco Chronicle

"Engrossing ... with a telling eye for detail, Krakauer has captured the sad saga of a stubborn, idealistic young man."—Los Angeles Times Book Review

Magically Tragically Beautiful

A romantic biography of a romantic by a romantic. Krakauer does it again, but as usual, the subject matter is inherently gripping. Putting his own personalized framing over the unfortunate story of Chris's demise, and the stalwart adventurelust that led him there, Krakauer carries you skeptical and passionate analysis of Chris's life. An adventure and a lesson in every chapter.

Intriguing Story

I went into this book believing I already knew everything I needed to know about Chris McCandless and had the common opinion that he was a fool who got what he deserved. After listening to this book however, I have a new appreciation for this young idealist. I feel like the author did an excellent job of creating a really intriguing portrait of this idealistic boy.

Another hit for Krakauer.

Any additional comments?

If you have read "Into Thin Air" and "Dead Mountain" and you're itching for more like it, this is a good place to start.

Confusing

Storytelling was confusing and there was a lot of guessing and speculation involved which I did not like

More than expected

I've seen the movie and expected this to be same as movie. Trace main characters footsteps and what not... BUT there is more, book contrasts and compares Chris with other similar people whole love outdoors and have lead similar lifestyles... preferring wild outdoors to average life...

a very good story

I really liked it an was able to learn some intriguing attributes of enlightenment ...

Surprised

This book moved me. From beginning to end it had my attention. I have listened twice now:-)

Thought provoking...

I wanted to know more about Chris McCandless; was he the hapless fool, reckless and arrogant, or was there more to him than that? This audiobook helped understand him a little better, particularly his anger at his father. The book permits us to see possibly more than McCandless would have revealed about himself but I felt one leaves the story, through no fault of the author, having only scratched the surface.

Initially I felt the author shot off at something of a tangent in describing one of his own "into the wild" experiences when attempting to climb Devils Thumb in Alaska - almost as if hijacking the story to pad out the scant detail that is really known about McCandless' oddysey. On reflection however, it was the right thing for the book since, for me, it helped understand something of what compels people to undertake what to many would be foolhardy pursuits.

The book left me wishing I could have met Chris McCandless, asked him questions and listened to his opinions. I also found myself wishing he'd had a topographical map, yet at the same time understanding why he didn't. The story of this young man will stay with me for a long time - to me he was not the misguided fool his critics would have him be; incautious-maybe, over-confident-possibly, overly introspective- probably, compelling-absolutely.

The narration was clear, if a little bland and there were maybe three repleated sentences. Well researched with a host of historical background, I will definitely read or listen to more by this author.

Sad Maladjusted Kid

If you could sum up Into the Wild in three words, what would they be?

Very different life

Would you recommend Into the Wild to your friends? Why or why not?

Yes, its an interesting story about the road not taken.

Have you listened to any of Philip Franklin’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, first book. Does a very good job.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The fact that the ending was so unnecessary.

Any additional comments?

Worth reading. A different sad life. Kid really needed some mental help.

Thought provoking

I enjoyed listening to this story even though it was a tragic tale of a young man leaving everything he's ever known to go out and find himself.