Student Must-Read 2: Into The Wild
Nestled in the non-fiction section of a library I used to frequent, I first came across Into The Wild.
Its cover was stark and striking: a lonesome landscape, an abandoned bus, and a blurb which read like the start of a newspaper article:
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. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. This is the unforgettable story of how Christopher Johnson McCandless came to die.
Immediately it pulled me in. I took it home and poured through its contents all afternoon. I paused only to boil new cups of tea. The sensation of losing oneself within the confines of a book is a cherished experience among readers, and it was precisely how I felt as I absorbed every word of Into The Wild on that late September day, emerging only when darkness enveloped the world outside. Over the following day, I devoured the remainder of the book, finding myself drawn back to its pages repeatedly, whether through re-reading or listening to the audiobook narrated by Philip Franklin.
Into The Wild is a masterpiece of non-fiction, offering readers a tapestry of poetic descriptions intertwined with a profound character study. Through the odyssey of Alexander Supertramp (Chris McCandless’s pseudonym), readers are transported across American landscapes, exploring life's complexities, its dissatisfactions, and the figures who exist on its fringes.
McCandless's journey on the open road is illuminated through the perspectives of those who crossed paths with him, while insights into his upbringing and the myriad influences shaping his character—from family dynamics to literary influences—add layers of depth to the narrative. The book also weaves in the tales of other nomads and adventurous souls, including Gene Rossellini, John Mellon Waterman, Everett Ruess, and the author himself, John Krakauer.
Within the full scope of its narrative, readers grapple with the intricate motivations driving McCandless's pursuit, ultimately confronting the boundaries of the adventurous spirit and the perils of its unchecked manifestation. As the story unfolds, Into The Wild prompts introspection, challenging readers to consider the delicate equilibrium between conformity and adventure, independence and kinship, isolation and solidarity. These themes resonate long after the final page is turned, leaving an indelible imprint on the reader.
It is for these reasons that Into The Wild by John Krakauer earns its place as student must-read 2, a poignant exploration of human nature's untamed facets, and a testament to the enduring power of non-fiction to provoke thought and reflection.
Take Away Quote:
“It may, after all, be the bad habit of creative talents to invest themselves in pathological extremes that yield remarkable insights but no durable way of life for those who cannot translate their psychic wounds into significant art or thought.” -Theodore Roszak
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