Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer - Book Report/Review Example

Into the Wild by Jon KrakauerInto the Wild (1996), the bestselling nonfiction book by Jon Krakauer which deals with the adventures of Christopher McCandless, tells a very familiar and popular American story and the author intermingles the protagonist’s story with the account of the wilderness experiences of Everett Rues, John Muir, John Menlove Edwards and the adventures of the writer himself. In other words, it is the astounding story of an individual who wished to be close to nature but took the wrong path which cost him his own life.

The protagonist in the story is presented as spiritually ill who crosses out on his own, provoked by a need to make a new life for himself. The story of Chris McCandless interests the contemporary readers because it has a long-lasting reach and similarity to many of the readers’ stories. In the same way, the structure of the story as well as the style of narration has an important role in the ongoing readership of the work. “The structure of Krakauer's tale is not only thoughtful and thorough.

but compelling as well. We begin with the last person to see McCandless alive, and move to the discovery of his body. From there Krakauer has reconstructed the previous two years of McCandless’s travels.” (Review: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer, 1946, p 340). In one of the most essential book reviews on Into the Wild by Krakauer, John P. Sisk’s “Civilization and Wilderness” deals with some of the most important aspects of the work which have contributed to the effective portrayal of Chris’s story and the reviewer has been effective in presenting his arguments in a logical way, with substantiating evidences and accurate facts.

However, the review by Sisk fails to provide an authentic and all-encompassing analysis and the reviewer needed to make a much closer and wider investigation of the themes, ideas, strategies, and the narrative style of the author. In a very profound analysis or critique of Sisk’s review, one realizes that the reviewer concentrates on some of the fundamental aspects of the major themes of the work, while he fails to offer a comprehensive evaluation of the essential factors of writing. However, it is important to observe that the reviewer is effective in providing a logical argument in the text and it is very well-organized, clear, and easy to read.

Thus, the reviewer concentrates on giving the exact details of the elements that really makes the well-written book by Krakauer and he offers his main argument in a logical way which tells why he considers the book as a superior product. According to him, Krakauer “had the advantage of Chris' letters to friends, as well as his journals and the many photographs that were found with the body in the abandoned bus. Interviews with Chris’ parents and sister and the people with whom he came into contact along the way have made possible a skillful reconstruction of the young man’s effort to reinvent his life.

Important too is the extent to which the author's own experience in the Alaskan wild anticipated that of his subject.” (Sisk, 1996, p. 52). Thereafter, Sisk substantiates his arguments by pointing out the various factors and experiences in the Krakauer’s life which put him in a position to recognize the realities about Chris’ naive idealism. According to the reviewer, the author’s insight has a major impact on the story and it encourages the readers to confront issues that they are inclined to sentimentalize.

Sisk is very accurate about the facts and he offers examples of the author’s insight. “One of the most conspicuous of these issues is the all too familiar identification of civilization as a perverse system of restrictions aimed at denying the individual an environment in which he can achieve the fulfillment that is his birthright.” (Sisk, 1996, p. 53). Therefore, the reviewer establishes that the author’s insight about the dangerous and deadly separation of the aesthetic life in Chris has resulted in his death.

In short, the reviewer is effective in presenting his main arguments with the support of evidences and logical ideas which contributed to a better understanding of the work. However, the reviewer fails to provide explanations and interpretations about the author’s narrative strategy and style, along with the other major themes of the work. References “Review: Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.” (1946). American Alpine Journal. American Alpine Club. The Mountaineers Books. p 340. Retrieved May 09, 2009, from http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9608/reviews/sisk.

htmlSisk, John P. (1996). “Civilization and Wilderness.” Books in Review. First Things 65. pp. 52-4.