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Summary: An interesting variation of the typical novel
Review: Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild provides an interesting account concerning Chris McCandless' feelings toward his oppression and desire to not conform to Society's standards. As he travels, he extends himself to each person he meets, and to those who were truly affected, repayed heartily with their praises and adoration. The reader cannot help but admire Chris' generous and outgoing qualities, and identify with his need to escape the entrapments of Society. Though Chris' individualistic ideology is noble and he is proven to be a brilliant man, he is certainly the anti-thesis of a sagacious person. He refuses to take with him the provivions necessary for survival, which indirectly causes his own death. His selfish attitude has heightened his family's grief as he leaves them. returning only the first time. One cannot help but feeel frustration towards Chris' naivete. Chris' idealistic and falsly optimistic personality causes him ti remove himself from reality and abandon all rational thoughts. He allows his whimsical nature to overcome his actions and sets a treacherous precedent which brings about his downfall. The reader cannot sympathize with Chris because he allows himelf to be controlled by his spontanaity. Chris' character is purposefully juxtaposed with the characters of Gene Rossellini, who traveled to Alaska to rid himself of the burdons of technology and stabbed himself, and John Waterman, a fairly bright yet otherwise oblivious man who also failed to arm himself with the essentials for a backpacking trip. Krakauer makes an apparent comparison between Chris and the other men who also did not survive with the implication that McCandless is no bettter than these two foolish people. Chris claims he wants to escape because he despises the conventional ways of society, yet irony pervades his contradictory ideals as his "grand expedition" is none other than a pathetic cliche. Though I did not agreee with the character's position, I found the novel fairly interesting and Icould appreciate the author's use of literary techniques such as flashbacks and foreshadowing. The novel defied traditional style and set it's own standards. It was a pleasant variation.
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Summary: Gut-renching a tragic ending to a beautiful spirit
Review: This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. I just finished reading it, and I will probably think about Chris McCandless for as long as my mind allows me to remember. It breaks my heart that he never had the chance to reestablish a relationship with his family. I can't imagine what his family went through for those last couple of years when they hadn't heard from Chris. Chris in his own mind had his reasons for being mad at his parents, but the book portrays them as intelligent and kind people, it is a shame that Chris couldn't see that until it was too late.
Rating: 
Summary: a compelling story fumbled by a well intended author
Review: I was drawn into this book immediately after reading the first page. Chris McCandless was a very intriguing individual ... there's something about his need to find himself that made me want to know more about him and what circumstances lead this death. He was intelligent and charming and personable ... he was the kind of person that everyone has met at least once in their lives. Chris was the manifestation of that little piece of the soul that is continuously searching for what is real. I didn't know Chris but in reading this book I feel as though I got a glimpse of someone very special ... and maybe even a glimpse of myself as well. He wasn't perfect. Chris was someone who was looking for the truth about himself and we, as the reader, are allowed to tag along for the ride. We get to see the good and bad and draw our own conclusions. For that reason alone, I loved this story."Into The Wild" itself is an decent book. I didn't like the format. It read very much like a magazine article which is fine if you're reading a magazine. I didn't mind the chapters dedicated to the other 'adventurers'. Obviously, Jon Krakauer was looking to draw a parallel between the lives of these men and Chris McCandless. What I didn't like - and didn't appreciate - were the chapters focused on Jon Krakauer. I think those chapters were distracting and completely unnecessary. It appears to be rather egotistical on the part of the author to inject himself into a story that had nothing to do with him. Jon Krakauer made himself part of the story which he shouldn't have done. Because of that I can't say that I loved the book ... I didn't. Overall, I would have to say that Chris McCandless story is one of inspiration and grief. A story that definitely needed to be told. I'm thankful that it was written and I'm glad that I read it. I would definitely recommend it - and have - to others. I think there is something to be learned from Chris's story.
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Summary: man and wilderness
Review: John Krakauer's 1996 book Into the Wild tells the true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who hitch-hiked his way into Denali National Park in Alaska, camped for a time in an abandoned bus, and died alone of starvation. Krackauer's work is both a philosophical inquiry and mystery. The philosophical inquiry is to discern the attraction to McCandless and other young men (including Krakauer, in his youth) in abandoning comfortable lives and living in the wilderness at great personal risk. The mystery is unraveling just what happened to McCandless from when he graduated from Emory University in 1990 and disappeared until when his decomposed body was found in late 1992, in Alaska. Krakauer is a dogged sleuth, who has succeeded in tracing McCandless' path across the nation, into Mexico, and finally to Alaska and his final days. Krakauer is also a very gifted writer in weaving together both his specific story (McCandless' journey) and the larger questions of what drives so many young men to extreme personal odysseys.
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Summary: Chris McCandless was a seeker not a saint!
Review: I've only read several comments about Chris McCandless ("Into the Wild") and I am struck by the lack of intolerance for his mistakes. Bright people are just as prone to err as the rest of us! Don't we all have moments from our past that make us grimace with dissatisfaction? He was not a hero or a saint. Chris was a seeker, the seeker in all of us. This book was assigned reading for my English Comp class and I am surprised at how very few females seem to empathize with or relate to McCandless and have been hostile towards him for "abandoning" his family. Don't we all have regrets regarding treatment of family members? The situation with his father was a pretty heavy blow after all. For all their differences, Chris did admire certain elements of his fathers character and I think the discovery of the family secret crushed him. He was obviously not very forgiving of his family or himself for that matter, perhaps his fatal flaw. So he took off for a few years to get some breathing room, shake off familial bonds(shackles), and gain some perspective. What harm is there in that? The negative feelings towards Chris are because he died. We want our "happy ending." But, because his life ends tragically, it gives us so much to think about and I am sure that would make McCandless very happy!
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Summary: Krakauer explores the dissatisfaction of youth
Review: When I first began reading Into the Wild I was puzzled. I wondered why so much of the book's ending was revealed in the first chapter. But as I started to really get into the book I realized that the book was not only about the fact that Chris McCandless died, but it was about a whole expierience. The book explored the relationships that he made on his voyage, and the factors that led to its tragic end. You find yourself thinking along with the author trying to piece together what inspired a young man to put himself at such a risk and why he left people's lives so quickly after establishing lasting connections. It seems that ultimately McCandless was dissatisfied with every day life and set out on his trip because of this. John Krakauer is a master at presenting a comepletely factual story. His insights into the people are outstanding. I recommend this story to anyone who has intrest in it.
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Summary: inspirational!!!
Review: I'm am a freshman in college and had to read Krauker's book for Soc. class. At first it was just another book that I had to read for class but as I read it,I couldn't put in down. It makes me want to break from the restraints of society and go on my own...and if I only had enough sense, like Mcandless I would. But I've been brought up in today's society and taught that it would be foolish to do so....maybe someday after college I just might take my own journey.....?
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Summary: Krakauer's Hard Lesson
Review: Krakauer again chronicles an event that involves man challenging the forces of nature. Once again, nature has won. In my opinion, the intentions of Chris McCandless were of secondary importance. The real substance of the book is the implication of the predominance of nature. A fine read and an exciting commentary on an insignificant young soul, whose failure provides a significant reminder that the vital forces in this universe are still reserved to nature.
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Summary: Rare find
Review: I found Into the Wild to be a rare find. Krakauer's succeeds in composing a tale which is provides the reader with a suspenseful adventure while at the same time hitting on the basic questions of human existence. Christopher McCandless' spontaneous rejection of what he regards to be the superficial elements of life forced me to look at a world where materialism is absent. As a reader who tends to avoid viewing the world in such basic terms, the sheer lunacy and severity of Chris' choices forced me from my typical American viewpoint. Krakauer does an excellent job of not providing closure to Chris' life and I left this book with a subtle sense of obligation to find purpose in my own life.
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Summary: What an amazing life!
Review: Alex has led me to believe that there is serene beauty in this world. Each person needs to find their own. His happened to be hitchiking across the United States and finally reaching his destination. I got chills up my spine so many times while reading this book. I even started to feel like I was on the adventure and that I was free to see what the world had to offer. My dream is to be in the desert at night like he was in Arizona-so that affected me greatly. He was a courageous and independent man. I respect that because he went out in search of his dream. So many people are scared to leave the comfort of society's grip, but he wasn't. Who cares about a college degree if it's not going to make you happy. I say that everyone has a little bit of Chris McCandless in them-they just need to explore it.
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