It's Not Just a Book Club discussion

This is the Non-Fiction read of April and May. This discussion will be hosted by Jackie. Please leave a comment if you are interested in reading this book.

Reading...
Jackie

I really, really wish I could read this book with you guys but I have one or two other non-fiction books that I need to finish reading, so I won't be reading this one. Sounds so good though!!

I am super freaking excited to read this. Chris Mccandless is both an inspiration and a prime example of what not to do in the wilderness.

I hope everyone who is adding this to their TBR really enjoys it!

I will have a synopsis and a reading schedule later!

Just a reminder, that this is the last month for the NF read. I hope everyone who has decided to read it is enjoying it. Happy reading!

Okay so I am nearly through the first four chapters, and I have to say it is beyond what I had expected. I feel both admiration and at time disgust (maybe too harsh a word) for McCandless. He is both brilliant and likeable and at times so shrouded in his ideologies to make him a little scary.

I admire his resolution to power through obstacles, but at the same time it is that unyielding assumption that he can manage ANYTHING, after all he has managed on luck this far, that will ultimately be his downfall. Still, this story is absolutely heartbreaking. As an avid solo hiker I find this book both a cautionary tale and a horror story. You can NEVER assume that you are capable of just finding a way through adversity when comes to Mother Nature; you are no match for her! I urge everyone who as even a smidge of curiosity about hiking to read this books. If nothing else learn from his mistakes!

Chapter 5-9

It's really hard to like Chris McCandless. His single minded insistence on completely and irrevocably adhering to his beliefs, no matter the consequences is absolutely foolish and quite frankly selfish.

He has set for this idea to live off the land of Alaska with very little provisions and even less gear; in fact what he has has been forced on him by loving friends who have managed to push through his stubbornness.

The idea that he can rough it in Alaska was helped along by a few lucky incidents within the two years he tramped across the US. Since he hadn't died then, and came out just fine he thought he could take on Alaska. McCandless is hardly the first, or the last, person to get this idea; however what rankles is his determination to do it with no help and barely listening to advice. Alaska is NOT the place to rough it with no plans. Mother Nature will crush your bravado in her vice like grip!

However, its not really just that I think his plan was foolish (We all have them and if circumstances had been different I believe he probably could have survived; he was really smart), but was really unnerves me is how cruel he was to his family; and yet all these strangers he meets admire his caring and gentle attitude. Apparently the whole trip was to teach his mother and father a lesson (because they tried to control him) by dropping out of their lives forever.