A Walk in the Woods discussion

The reading is fun. I like to walk in the woods also so I can relate to the adventure.

Yes, it's a very nice book. Although I wouldn't like meeting bears...

I loved this book. I actually laughed out loud in some parts. I've read a few of his other books as well.

funniest book I have ever read with David Sedaris running second.

Larryponder wrote: "The reading is fun. I like to walk in the woods also so I can relate to the adventure."

I also had a few laughs with the book. Some of the friendship moments and nature scenes are funny.

This was a laugh out loud funny book. I spend a great deal of time on the trails and have seen some interesting people. I have wondered how some of them have survived.

I was hooked when he talked about dying from crapping his organs out in his sleeping bag in fear. Totally gross, but hilarious.
I enjoyed the self deprecating nature of the book, he poked fun of some of the different types of people he met on the trail, but didn't take himself too seriously either.

The dynamic between Katz and Bryson was unpredictable at every turn (no pun). I think that was mainly due to that mystic homelessness thing Katz had going on. Bill Bryson's steadiness just provided the perfect backboard for that to play off of.

I loved this book, it was so funny and interesting. It made me want to go hiking. Bryson knows how to make information interesting.
Excellent book

Charlotte wrote: "Yes, it's a very nice book. Although I wouldn't like meeting bears..."

I haven't seen any bears hiking, but they are as scary as snakes from just imagining the scenes.

Kylie wrote: "I loved this book, it was so funny and interesting. It made me want to go hiking. Bryson knows how to make information interesting.
Excellent book"
What parts did you laugh with? I had a few out loud laughs at the way these two handled their friendship and the adventures they went on.

This is one of those rare books you will read more than once. Not only is the writing outstanding, but buy the audio version to hear Bryson himself tell the story. You will laugh out loud. I heard a rumor that it was optioned for a movie and have always fantasized about who would play Bryson and Katz.

Denise wrote: "This is one of those rare books you will read more than once. Not only is the writing outstanding, but buy the audio version to hear Bryson himself tell the story. You will laugh out loud. I hea..."

I heard that, too! Whatever happened to that idea? That was a few years ago now and, as I remember, Robert Redford was the one who was going to make the film and even (odd as it seems) the one who was going to play Bryson. It seems to have fallen off the radar, though, as I've not heard anything about it in quite some time.

I did not know there was an audio version, but now I have to have it. Thanks, Denise, for that info.

Read this book in a mountain cabin in Blue Ridge GA--actually got me off my duff and did a little hiking. Bryson is one of my favorite writers.

Bryson is one author who can convey a lot of what could be dry information in a very humorous manner by poking fun at himself. I too laughed out loud a lot when reading this book. I have also done some hiking, although not the sleeping out kind, so there were incidents that really rang true. Bryson's books are great in audio. It would be interesting to compare Bryson's experience with Cheryl Strayed's in Wild.

Daniel wrote: "This was a laugh out loud funny book. I spend a great deal of time on the trails and have seen some interesting people. I have wondered how some of them have survived."
I also laughed a lot reading this book.

Travel and Laughter are my favorite things....
Well sex and money too, but as Woody Allen says " two things you don't think about until they're gone"
I read all of his work in a few months. Growing up on the trail in Pennsylvania was a blessing. it was like going to Church for me, so I loved the book. Especially the reluctance of the isolation winning out over the predictable antics of his idiot friend.
I'm sure Bill can relate to Woody Allen these days..
All his fans begging an autograph, while pleading
"for more of your old, funnier work"
That conversion to Scientology changed him forever.
or the stroke.
or 911.
or the UFO abduction.
The patriot act. (no caps)
Something happened.
Riddle me that Batman?

I loved this book! My husband and teenaged son are avid CA backpackers, but I have never been on a backpack, so I read "A Walk in the Woods" to be able to relate, at least a little. It was so worth it, I learned quite a bit and absolutely enjoyed the interaction between Bryson and Katz. I loved them both and found myself pulling for them to make it. I also really liked Bryson's writing style, personal and easy, like a chat over coffee with an old friend sharing his latest adventures.

I did enjoy the book, along with his others. It was problematic that I read A Walk in the Woods just after I had read Cheryl Strayed's Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, which made Bryson's efforts seem a little light.

td wrote: "I did not know there was an audio version, but now I have to have it. Thanks, Denise, for that info...."

Just make sure you get the one which is narrated by Bill Bryson. I went to buy it and noticed just in time that it's been re-recorded by someone else. Goodness knows why, as no-one could improve on Bill's version! Him on the subject of bears is unforgettable.

lol it was hilarious

Most anything by Bryson will get you laughing at some point. In a Sunburned Country is also great fun. For another entertaining travelogue check out Douglas Adams (yes, of the Hitchhiker books) Last chance to See. Not the funniest subject matter but presented with plenty of hunmor.

Hj wrote: "td wrote: "I did not know there was an audio version, but now I have to have it. Thanks, Denise, for that info...."

Just make sure you get the one which is narrated by Bill Bryson. I went to buy ..."

Thanks, Hj, for letting me know!

Patty wrote: "funniest book I have ever read with David Sedaris running second."

I love Bill Bryson, what is your favourite David Sedaris book? I haven't read any yet (he's not that big in England) but I keep hearing his name.

Denise wrote: "This is one of those rare books you will read more than once. Not only is the writing outstanding, but buy the audio version to hear Bryson himself tell the story. You will laugh out loud. I hea..."

How about Philip Seymour Hoffman for Bryson? Paul Giamatti for Katz?

Ooh! Good choices Fill

Bill Bryson has the ability to not only see the absurd and funny side of things but he can convey these things to the page too! I love all his books, they make me smile and they make me laugh, long may he continue!

Enjoyed the humorous tales, especially the punchline with the shoelaces. A friend who's hiked the AT said that AWOL on the Appalachian Trail by David Miller is a better introduction for people who think they might try to hike it themselves.

I loved this book and really love the characters. I have also listened to the audio on a long trip. Well worth it!!

Charlotte wrote: "Yes, it's a very nice book. Although I wouldn't like meeting bears..."

Black bears are cowards, it's always cool seeing bears along the AT in Virginia. Around 95% of the time it's just their rear ends taking off in the opposite direction.

I loved this book, and then enjoyed Bryson's Thunderbolt Kid, which is about growing up in Iowa, mid-century. It was great fun seeing his buddy Katz as a kid.

Theresa wrote: "I LOVED this travel memoir! It's time for me to re-read it, I need a good laugh. I have never read a book where I laughed out loud so often throughout. Were his other books as funny?"

Yes.

Matthew wrote: "Charlotte wrote: "Yes, it's a very nice book. Although I wouldn't like meeting bears..."

Black bears are cowards, it's always cool seeing bears along the AT in Virginia. Around 95% of the time it..."

That'so funny & so right. I once encountered a bear while backpacking through the Shenandoah Park. I froze in my tracks & spent several minutes trying to quietly get my camera out of my pack. Unzipping the pocket, unsnapping the case & removing the lens cap, I quickly focused and got a pic that only I will ever know how to interpret. A brown/black void surrounded by undergrowth that was the ass-end of the bear leaving as fast as it could.

Ruth wrote: "I loved this book. I actually laughed out loud in some parts. I've read a few of his other books as well."

The first part when he is preparing for the trip had me laughing out loud.

Patty wrote: "funniest book I have ever read plr with David Sedaris running second."

Me too! I just LOVE it!

I used to manage a small motel on the Strip in Tahoe (it's now been plowed under in favor of plastic chain stores). There was a tree in the middle of the parking lot, and one dawn there was something black and furry in the tree. Juvenile black bear, too petrified to move. I called the DNR, they said it was animal control. Called animal control who told me to call the DNR. *le sigh*

Love this book. Funny and adventurous. Just met some AT through-hikers at summit of Mt. Washington, New Hampshire. I love camping and hiking. So does my Godson who starts his AT through-hike next Spring 2015 with his buddy.

Jason Alexander as Katz's if there was a movie, as for Bill?,I've no clue

Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel fervently about this and I take pleasure in learning about this topic. Please, as you gain information,

I read this book about 16 years ago. One of the best outdoor hiking books if you are looking for the hilarity and irony of some of the situations you can get in and some of the people you can meet.

I am getting ready to read this book again in early summer because A Walk in the Woods is being made into a movie. It is already in post production. Release is scheduled for August 2015. Robert Redford is Bryson and Nick Nolte is Katz. There are a few other big names in the film as well. I am looking forward to see if they do the book justice and keep it funny. Check it out over on IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1178665/?...

The movie could not provoke a laugh out loud feeling that the book got out of my belly.





Brent wrote: "I read this book about 16 years ago. One of the best outdoor hiking books if you are looking for the hilarity and irony of some of the situations you can get in and some of the people you can meet...."

Tirejvnvcx wrote: "one piece online
http://www.joygames.me/"
i laugh and feel the sad with both movies and books

I love this book. The movie adaptation doesn't do it justice.

When they set out, I couldn't help thinking they'll never make it, but Bryson's account of their adventure makes me want to get out and have my own. I just might pick a shorter trail.

This was most definitely a laugh-out-loud book. I first read it in an airport, and I'm sure the people around me wondered what the heck was causing my explosive outbursts! I've read it several times now, and each time I guffaw. Confession: I have a serious crush on Katz.

I also found the movie mostly disappointing.

Love your review. I was someplace surrounded by strangers as I read this book and snickered and laughed out loud. People were eyeing me with suspicion, fear and loathing. Movie did not do justice to book but the dialogue would be hard to stage.