Into the Wild Audiobook By Jon Krakauer cover art

Into the Wild

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Into the Wild

By: Jon Krakauer
Narrated by: Philip Franklin
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In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. His body - along with a camera with five rolls of film, an SOS note, and a cryptic diary written in the back pages of a book about edible plants - was found six months later by a hunter.©2007 Jon Krakauer (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc. Adventure Travel Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Art & Literature Authors North America Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking

Critic reviews

"A narrative of arresting force. Anyone who ever fancied wandering off to face nature on its own harsh terms should give a look. It's gripping stuff."—Washington Post

"Compelling and tragic ... Hard to put down." —San Francisco Chronicle

"Engrossing ... with a telling eye for detail, Krakauer has captured the sad saga of a stubborn, idealistic young man."—Los Angeles Times Book Review

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Captivating Narrative • Emotional Impact • Complex Protagonist • Thought-provoking Tale • Meaningful Connections
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I love this book. I love the story, I think it's told perfectly, a wonderful balance between the life of Chris, his family, his friends, his rides, the people Chris was likened to, and Krakauer's own experiences. To the previous reviewer who questioned the need to include Krakauer's own experience: The story could easily be told without that section, but it would have suffered for the omission. Among other things, it helped bridge the gap between "what we think we know" and "what a near-death in the frozen wilderness is actually like".

So why three stars? Well, the title says it all. This book is all but ruined by the narrator. In the book there are quotes all over the place - from Chris, from people Krakauer spoke to, from Krakauer himself. And yet the narrator does not change his voice at all for each of the different parts. I found myself getting confused - is he still reading from Chris's journal or is he back to Krakauer's voice? It completely wrenches you out of the story, and stops the heart of the story coming across.

Add to that the audio-sin of dodgy recording... a repeated line or two due to someone not worrying about listening to the final product before releasing it (probably in too much of a rush to cash in on the movie success to worry) makes this an audio book I would not recommend.

As to the actual book - do yourself a favour, buy, beg, borrow - find a copy. Remember your young ideals. Remember the times you've done stupid things that could've ended very differently. Enjoy this book.

Bitterly dissapointed with narration

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I'd have to say this might be my second favorite audiobook. A great story of trying to find yourself and doing what you want.

A Great Story

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I got lost somewhere between Ch 4 and Ch 7ish. When the book began explaining others instead of Chris's journey my interest was lost. It is not that others that had lives similar to his are not interesting. I didn't want to hear chapter after chapter about them when my purpose was to learn more about Chris and his journey to Alaska. The narration wasn't enough to keep me invested. It was like sitting through a dry college lecture for weeks and trying not to fall asleep.

Disappointed

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I loved this book, even cried at the end it was so good. I love how the story is constructed, the author weaving his own stories in with the adventures of the main character. Also, the narrator is brilliant! I listened to this in two sittings, didn't want to go to sleep. :-) This one is a must listen!

One of the Best Audiobooks I have Listened to!

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I rented the movie then I wanted to know more about "Alex" so I listened to the book. The book filled in many details that weren't in movie and I really appreciated that. I was distracted when the author interjected his mountain climbing adventure. If you liked the movie you will like the book and visa versa.

Loved the Movie - Liked the Book

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In my 7 decade lifetime I've read / listened to thousands of books.

This is one that has remained with me since I first read it when it was initially published, told my family about it and they all read it and we also have discussed the book at our dinner table...eating while talking about Chris' story and death.

While others have noted disliking the narrator I found nothing particularly bad about it..he simply read the book without putting any particular emphasis into different peoples voices..it'sfine. There are times when the editing lacked a bit..fuzzy sound, repeating particular paragraphs etc but basically it's a perfectly reasonable narration of a spectacularly personal story.

I saw the movie one evening earlier this spring and it stayed with me for weeks..I decided to purchase this because I knew how much better the book would be,though the movie is fine..and the actor looks like Chris.

I agree with other reviewers who commented that you NEED to go to a bookstore and at least leaf thru to see the pictures Chris took on his journey.

Well worth a credit..this book will stay with you, be you young or an elder, like myself.

I'll never forget this book

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The writing is classic Krakauer, but the topic was a bland tale of youth misadventure.

Classic Krakauer bland topic

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This is a great book. The reader does a great job at making it come alive, like you are actually in the book. The story itself is amazing. You feel so many different emotions throughout the book. Would recommend to anyone who likes adventure or travel.

Amazing book

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This is the best book I have ever read.
It has given me the understanding of what compels certain people to risk life for adventure. How arrogance and neglecting to take precaution can end in demise. The story of Chris and other similar individuals were not only entertaining but encourage philosophical thinking.

Highly recommend to anyone.
Narrator was fantastic.

Amazing

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Overall it was good, but I found myself a little bored at times. Obviously, McCandless fate was horrifying and finding out how he met his fate was disturbing. There were definitely some great parts, but I've enjoyed the other Krakauer books more.

Good listen

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