The Wild Truth

By: Carine McCandless

Narrated by: Carine McCandless, Matt Gardner, Shelly McCandless

The spellbinding story of Chris McCandless, who gave away his savings, hitchhiked to Alaska, walked into the wilderness alone, and starved to death in 1992, fascinated not just New York Times bestselling author Jon Krakauer, but also the rest of the nation. Krakauer's book, Into the Wild, became an international bestseller, translated into thirty-one languages, and Sean Penn's inspirational film by the same name further skyrocketed Chris McCandless to global fame. But the real story of Chris’s life and his journey has not yet been told - until now. The missing pieces are finally revealed in The Wild Truth, written by Carine McCandless, Chris's beloved and trusted sister. Featured in both the book and film, Carine has wrestled for more than twenty years with the legacy of her brother's journey to self-discovery, and now tells her own story while filling in the blanks of his. Carine was Chris's best friend, the person with whom he had the closest bond, and who witnessed firsthand the dysfunctional and violent family dynamic that made Chris willing to embrace the harsh wilderness of Alaska. Growing up in the same troubled household, Carine speaks candidly about the deeper reality of life in the McCandless family. In the many years since the tragedy of Chris's death, Carine has searched for some kind of redemption. In this touching and deeply personal memoir, she reveals how she has learned that real redemption can only come from speaking the truth.

What a surprise!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I ordered this book wondering what l "truth" had been missing from Into the Wild. I ordered for curiosity sake and was pleasantly surprised by all I hadn't known after reading Jon Krakauer's book. I never expected to be touched so deeply and personally by this book. For me, it was exactly what I needed to read, exactly at this point in my life. I hope you enjoy it equally but if not I'm sure it will enlighten you. Makes me want to reread Into The Wild. Actually makes me NEED to reread Into The Wild.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wild Truth?

Absolutely

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Yes.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Nothing. It was honest.

Impeccable

This story was an intense journey that opened closed doors in my live. The writing allowed me to feel as though I was right there witnessing the story unfold. Emotion provoking story that I will remember years from now.

Not what I expected

Although entertaining and enjoyable. I guess I expected more back story on the movie, rather than her side of it.

Carine McCanless is the best gift her brother gave

If you could sum up The Wild Truth in three words, what would they be?

It makes sense

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Wild Truth?

I don't think I can limit this to moments. I read "Into the Wild" years ago and struggled to understand what had driven this young man to disappear. Now I understand. Who knows what Chris might have done or become if he had lived. In some ways his sister's story is more compeling. She stayed in the world, struggled to forge bonds with siblings, with men and with her parents. I would probably be more like Chris and seek solitude and wilderness for healing. But it is Carine I give the most credit as well as their half siblings and step mother. This is a story of the capacity of human beings to overcome being raised by the most dysfunctional parents. I wish a wonderful future for Carine, her siblings and her daughter. I feel sorry for parents because they clearly lost out by losing these good people who somehow were their children.

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

It is an amazing story about the attempts of two siblings to be real and genuine human beings in the face of life started in lies and abuse. Could not stop listening to it and that is rare for me these days.

Empowering!

Cried a lot and Learned a lot. Now have a complete story, I am able to understand deeper about the family dynamics that drove Chris McCandless into the wild. It is sad that there is no korean translation of this book available. I hope many Koreans who were inspired by "Into the wild" movie and book to know more story.