Author: Jon Krakauer
Pages: 224
Year Published: 1997
I had originally posted this as an edit to the movie review. However, as I thought about it, I changed my mind. The book itself is worth having its own review. It’s a good read, well worth the time invested. More documentary than the movie, the book also depends upon the author as narrator (whereas the movie uses Chris himself and his sister, Carine, for narration).
Krakauer differs in his theory about why McCandless died in the Alaskan wilderness from the film. He also presents his own case of wanderlust that led him to attempt climbing the Devil’s Thumb, also in Alaska, as well as the strange story of Everett Ruess, a young man who disappeared in the desert southwest in the 1930’s. Both stories are presented to give perspective on McCandless’ possible reasons for attempting his “great Alaskan adventure.”
There’s enough in the book to make reading it worth while, even if you have seen the movie and, at 200 pages, it’s a short, quick read.
-K
