What do you think?
Rate this book
The Boy from Gorge River: From New Zealand's remotest family to the world beyond
**The number-one bestseller**
The story of how an extraordinary childhood shaped an extraordinary life
On the West Coast of the South Island, past deep fiords and snow-capped mountains, Chris Long grew up two days' hike from the nearest road. He was born into the country's most isolated family, his parents committed to freedom from capitalist society and connection to the natural world.
In this inspiring memoir, Chris describes a childhood with nature on his doorstep - helping his father catch crayfish and his mother grow vegetables, playing with toys crafted from driftwood and jade, and learning to live in the wild - until, in his teenage years, he began to could he survive in the wider world?
By the son of the authors of A Life on Gorge River and A Wife on Gorge River, The Boy from Gorge River is an enthralling account of chasing adventure while forever staying true to where you come from.
The story of how an extraordinary childhood shaped an extraordinary life
On the West Coast of the South Island, past deep fiords and snow-capped mountains, Chris Long grew up two days' hike from the nearest road. He was born into the country's most isolated family, his parents committed to freedom from capitalist society and connection to the natural world.
In this inspiring memoir, Chris describes a childhood with nature on his doorstep - helping his father catch crayfish and his mother grow vegetables, playing with toys crafted from driftwood and jade, and learning to live in the wild - until, in his teenage years, he began to could he survive in the wider world?
By the son of the authors of A Life on Gorge River and A Wife on Gorge River, The Boy from Gorge River is an enthralling account of chasing adventure while forever staying true to where you come from.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 13, 2022
51 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 15, 2022
I found Chris’s story inspiring and uplifting. What an amazing guy and what a life he has lived. I want to read his parents books now too.
November 8, 2025
such a mad and interesting upbringing and such an exciting life to read about!! Even more fun reading it while exploring the south islands
May 23, 2022
This is a great read. What a fascinating life Chris Long has led, from growing up in the remote West Coast of New Zealand , and then making the transition to begin to live with other people , and when he was comfortable with that he has travelled the world .An easy read , Chris writes in an entertaining way which had me turning pages well in to the night. A young man who has accumulated many skills which sees him securing interesting jobs throughout the world . Thoroughly recommend this book especially anyone who loves and adventure .
October 25, 2022
Very cool! The stories had me hooked
January 29, 2024
Chris tells an amazing tale of perseverance and learning in such a humble way. There's something for us to all learn from his journey.
December 18, 2023
Listened to the audio book read by Jackson Bliss.
The narration was OK. I actually thought it was being read by the author, as it seemed a bit amateur - there were often some odd hesitations, and repeated phrases, and I wasn't sure if that was the book, the audio recording glitching, or the narrator. However, overall it didn't detract from the story.
I enjoyed listening to the book - without doubt Chris Long has led an interesting life - it in turns inspired me and made me envious!!
It was rather a travelogue - he has been so some very interesting places in his life - quite a lot, so to fit them all in it sometimes felt like he skimmed over.
I felt there was something missing and it wasn't until I read someone elses review that I realised what it was - there is very little about the dynamic between him and his family or other people. In the end I wondered - is he just too nice (too New Zealandish?) to really get into the nitty gritty.
The lack of intimacy means the book feels very 'surface' - but maybe that was the intention. When you are writing about yourself (and at such a young age), maybe you don't want to put all of yourself out there!
I would recommend the book, and I am glad I read it - it told me about areas in the world I don't know anything about and gives a good description of sustainable living and isolated living.
I would be interested in reading his next installment after his next 30 years!
The narration was OK. I actually thought it was being read by the author, as it seemed a bit amateur - there were often some odd hesitations, and repeated phrases, and I wasn't sure if that was the book, the audio recording glitching, or the narrator. However, overall it didn't detract from the story.
I enjoyed listening to the book - without doubt Chris Long has led an interesting life - it in turns inspired me and made me envious!!
It was rather a travelogue - he has been so some very interesting places in his life - quite a lot, so to fit them all in it sometimes felt like he skimmed over.
I felt there was something missing and it wasn't until I read someone elses review that I realised what it was - there is very little about the dynamic between him and his family or other people. In the end I wondered - is he just too nice (too New Zealandish?) to really get into the nitty gritty.
The lack of intimacy means the book feels very 'surface' - but maybe that was the intention. When you are writing about yourself (and at such a young age), maybe you don't want to put all of yourself out there!
I would recommend the book, and I am glad I read it - it told me about areas in the world I don't know anything about and gives a good description of sustainable living and isolated living.
I would be interested in reading his next installment after his next 30 years!
March 13, 2023
A lot of this is really interesting - seeing how the kids bought up absolutely nowhere saw their life (and to be frank, I'd love to hear from his younger sister).
But.
There was also a routine chunk of pontificating about how what they were doing was better than what everyone else was doing.
We can't all live completely off grid, cut off from the world, a weeks walk from the road, only getting news via letters every six weeks. The house he grew up in (and I gather his parents still live in) would be condemned by a building inspector I suspect, especially given his description of the fire! Sure, they lived on basically no income, but they leaned heavily on a community of people to make that work.
His bit near the end about how he'd come from this nothing and so wanted his life to be an inspiration to those living in impoverished countries that they could do awesome things too feels like he doesn't actually have the foggiest about how cushy his life was because he grew up in New Zealand, with parents who *could* have chosen to work in the "real world" at any point. Opportunities those living in refugee camps and famine-stricken countries just do not have.
That off my chest, the rest of the book was easy to read, and genuinely upbeat. A unique upbringing told in an appealing way.
But.
There was also a routine chunk of pontificating about how what they were doing was better than what everyone else was doing.
We can't all live completely off grid, cut off from the world, a weeks walk from the road, only getting news via letters every six weeks. The house he grew up in (and I gather his parents still live in) would be condemned by a building inspector I suspect, especially given his description of the fire! Sure, they lived on basically no income, but they leaned heavily on a community of people to make that work.
His bit near the end about how he'd come from this nothing and so wanted his life to be an inspiration to those living in impoverished countries that they could do awesome things too feels like he doesn't actually have the foggiest about how cushy his life was because he grew up in New Zealand, with parents who *could* have chosen to work in the "real world" at any point. Opportunities those living in refugee camps and famine-stricken countries just do not have.
That off my chest, the rest of the book was easy to read, and genuinely upbeat. A unique upbringing told in an appealing way.
March 30, 2023
Arrived in Dunedin and my host had taken this out from the local library. Looked interesting and decided to read it in the short stay I had there. Wow! I’m so glad I did! Such an easy and interesting read, I read it in a flurry, every night making my way through the short chapters and my last day marathoning through the last bit. Highly recommend and a good read to pick up and put down, if you don’t finish it all in a matter of days.
Chris has a very unique upbringing which he comments on in the book, a life off the grid which has become more à la mode now. His family lives between Haast and Milford Sound about a 42 km walk from the nearest road. His family would get their food delivered my plane and grew, collected or fished for the rest of it. He’s been to Norway, Antartica and travelled in the Arctic Circle. I especially loved reading about his time working in Milford, climbing Mitres Peak (which I then visited!), and sailing in some of the worlds coldest and roughest oceans.
Overall a great book if you love the outdoors, and a compelling read to get more outside and connect with the environment. I especially loved reading it in New Zealand and seeing all the familiar towns, shops and companies. Would love to plan a multi day trek out to the Gorge River at somepoint, any takers?
Chris has a very unique upbringing which he comments on in the book, a life off the grid which has become more à la mode now. His family lives between Haast and Milford Sound about a 42 km walk from the nearest road. His family would get their food delivered my plane and grew, collected or fished for the rest of it. He’s been to Norway, Antartica and travelled in the Arctic Circle. I especially loved reading about his time working in Milford, climbing Mitres Peak (which I then visited!), and sailing in some of the worlds coldest and roughest oceans.
Overall a great book if you love the outdoors, and a compelling read to get more outside and connect with the environment. I especially loved reading it in New Zealand and seeing all the familiar towns, shops and companies. Would love to plan a multi day trek out to the Gorge River at somepoint, any takers?
February 8, 2024
I love true stories that show human ingenuity and survival. The fact that this true story is in NZ and is contemporary makes it even better.
What an amazing family! You would have to get on well together to live so far from help and from social interaction with others.
This account shows without a doubt that education is about far more than reading writing and maths taught in a classroom. As later parts of Chris’s life show , the skills he learned in “making do”, in problem solving, in staying safe in dangerous environments were very important in some of his later adventures.
I loved the honesty with which Chris talked about his social awkwardness at first when thrust into normal school situations. And I admired his ability to persevere and grow into a confident, outgoing young man.
His many travels and varied jobs were quite breathtaking really considering the small, remote setting of his earlier life.
Chris Long was - and I’m sure still is - a wonderfully well rounded person - and a great writer as well!
His website wildkiwiadventurer.com is well worth a look with videos.
What an amazing family! You would have to get on well together to live so far from help and from social interaction with others.
This account shows without a doubt that education is about far more than reading writing and maths taught in a classroom. As later parts of Chris’s life show , the skills he learned in “making do”, in problem solving, in staying safe in dangerous environments were very important in some of his later adventures.
I loved the honesty with which Chris talked about his social awkwardness at first when thrust into normal school situations. And I admired his ability to persevere and grow into a confident, outgoing young man.
His many travels and varied jobs were quite breathtaking really considering the small, remote setting of his earlier life.
Chris Long was - and I’m sure still is - a wonderfully well rounded person - and a great writer as well!
His website wildkiwiadventurer.com is well worth a look with videos.
January 3, 2023
Though it is difficult to imagine, the life of sustainability feels normal to Chris. He values the skill set that this isolation has developed within him. Throughout the book, I wondered if his parents ever imagined that Chris was developing the inner strength to take the adventures that he has already been on. Our world still needs people like Chris to push the edges of what is possible. And I know it isn't the life I desire. I'll take a little bit of boring for a more conservative lifestyle choice.
July 8, 2023
I really enjoyed reading about Christan’s unique upbringing and the various adventures in his life. I would have preferred more depth rather than just describing what happened. However, the interesting subject matter more than makes up for the writing style. Also loved hearing more about a part of NZ I don’t know that well. I agree with some of his general thoughts (anti-consumerism, sustainability etc) but do think he comes from a slightly idealistic/privileged position. A very strong 3.5 rounded down.
October 31, 2022
It’s an interesting read about an unusual life led in a very remote area of the South Island. As a child I’ve spent many holidays on the west coast, and have a bit of an understanding of how challenging the Long family’s life must have been. Chris grew up to be independent, resourceful, with a love of the outdoors and remote places, and also had an appreciation of people and friendships. It’s a remarkable story.
May 11, 2022
Loved this book. What an amazing life this young man has had so far. Looking forward to reading both his parent’s books now as well. It’s a real feel good read about being true to yourself and having things to achieve and setting out to achieve them. Am very much looking forward to reading more about this family.
January 26, 2023
Ich hab dieses Buch eigentlich nur für einen Uni Kurs ausgewählt, weil ich unbedingt etwas über Neuseeland machen wollte. Nach dem Lesen muss ich aber gestehen, dass dieses Buch nicht nur eine weitere Biographie ist. Ich hab es sehr geliebt zu lesen und jede einzelne Seite quasi verschlungen. Ich kann es jedem echt nur empfehlen und ich hab super viel daraus mitgenommen
March 11, 2023
Wow - what a crazy, and wonderful, upbringing this guy has had! I could hardly believe the descriptions of how remote the setting was (and still is) that Chris and his sister were brought up in on the West Coast of the South Island. This is only a few hundred kilometres from where we live - but man are we worlds away!
March 15, 2023
Fantastic listen! I’ve heard of Bean Sprout since I moved to Hokitika, but I knew very little other than the family lived very remotely south of Haast. Thank you for sharing stories of your life. Your parents had the courage to really live their life authentically. It could not have been easy, but how rewarding!
June 30, 2024
Fascinating story. Chris writes well. He has experienced an incredible range of outdoor experiences following his unique life growing up in the isolated SW New Zealand.
He is a smart guy who planned his education from his late teens, to specifically address gaps in his personal skills and experiences, in order to position himself in the adventure tourism job market.
Inspirational.
He is a smart guy who planned his education from his late teens, to specifically address gaps in his personal skills and experiences, in order to position himself in the adventure tourism job market.
Inspirational.
May 27, 2022
Easy to read, this book will get you thinking about limits that we place upon ourselves in our lives. Chris had a very different upbringing from most of us. But I believe his book will touch most people who have a yearning to do something different with their lives.
December 4, 2022
What a life! I enjoyed the beginning of this book but felt that it started to get a bit repetitive and felt that it became a bit of a promotion for his possum fur hats by the end. Fun to read a bit more about NZ and parts of the country I don't know as well.
February 3, 2023
Loved this book. The life skills learnt as a child have really made Chris a
man who can put his hand to anything. Some great lessons to be learnt here in our materialistic world and how to live sustainably.
man who can put his hand to anything. Some great lessons to be learnt here in our materialistic world and how to live sustainably.
Read
May 18, 2023Interesting slice of life, and a nice reminder we don't need all these modern conveniences. Not a super special memoir beyond that, though. First book I've read where I knew not one but two people in it, though, a hiking guide and a college friend!
January 21, 2024
Fascinating, easy to read, and was great to read while travelling through the South Island. I've read a few books now that were COVID lockdown projects by the authors and this was recognisable as another one! Luckily, there's a lot of interesting material to cover.
June 2, 2024
An interesting, easy to read autobiography. About growing up in south wetland New Zealand, off grid. An intriguing insight into developing self reliance, resilience and resourcefulness that comes from living almost in isolation, life skills that will take a person almost anywhere.
January 12, 2025
This was a really interesting memoir from a young man brought up by parents who literally lived off the grid in New Zealand. The author learned from the hard work it took to live sustainably with his family and went off for adventures around the world.
Read
May 1, 2022A very interesting book on a different way of life. Enjoyed it so much I will find and read his parents books
May 21, 2022
This was an interesting and inspiring read. Great to see how the range of skills Christian learnt in his isolated upbringing are serving him very well in the wider world.
October 13, 2022
Absolutely fantastic read. So fascinating reading how his life has been growing up and his adventures. would love to read the other books now.
January 3, 2023
Great being able to follow up from his parents books, and to see where he's managed to travel over the years. A fab book to delve into
February 24, 2023
Easy read. I really enjoyed his description of life.and the phots at the back of the book
April 9, 2023
Absolutely loved this book! Would recommend for all ages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews