Summary: Into the Wild tells the story of 23-year-old Chris McCandless, who in April of 1992, hiked into the Alaskan wilderness. The biography is written by Jon Krakauer, who found McCandless’ story to be strikingly similar to his own. Krakauer recounts McCandless’ life, from his graduation from Emory to his denouncing of his identity and possessions. Then, of his explorations into the wild and his brief encounters with others. The biography provides an intriguing and thought-provoking story of a young man’s dream.
Opinion: Although the biography has its shortcomings, the ponderings of Krakauer inspire a sense of growth and self-exploration. McCandless’ unknown intentions create a mysterious and intriguing premise for the biography. However, I felt that the choice of chronology and Krakauer’s interjections made the direction of the biography confusing. Readers who question McCandless’ actions may find it hard to continue reading, as the work hangs on McCandless and his journey.