Dec 132015
A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Broadway Books; Mti edition (July 28, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1101905492
ISBN-13: 978-1101905494
Publisher: Broadway Books; Mti edition (July 28, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1101905492
ISBN-13: 978-1101905494
Back in America after twenty years in Britain, Bill Bryson decided to reacquaint himself with his native country by walking the 2,100-mile Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine. The AT offers an astonishing landscape of silent forests and sparkling lakes–and to a writer with the comic genius of Bill Bryson, it also provides endless opportunities to witness the majestic silliness of his fellow human beings.
For a start there’s the gloriously out-of-shape Stephen Katz, a buddy from Iowa along for the walk. Despite Katz’s overwhelming desire to find cozy restaurants, he and Bryson eventually settle into their stride, and while on the trail they meet a bizarre assortment of hilarious characters. But A Walk in the Woods is more than just a laugh-out-loud hike. Bryson’s acute eye is a wise witness to this beautiful but fragile trail, and as he tells its fascinating history, he makes a moving plea for the conservation of America’s last great wilderness. An adventure, a comedy, and a celebration,A Walk in the Woods has become a modern classic of travel literature.
Thoughts
While this book was interesting, it isn’t all that I was hoping for. I though it was about them hiking the whole trail in a year, but they didn’t, and they took a few side trips also. The story is entertaining, but there are some things I don’t like, like making fun of people. That’s just not something I enjoy hearing or reading about. I also think there was so much in the synopsis that was left out of the book.
While this book was interesting, it isn’t all that I was hoping for. I though it was about them hiking the whole trail in a year, but they didn’t, and they took a few side trips also. The story is entertaining, but there are some things I don’t like, like making fun of people. That’s just not something I enjoy hearing or reading about. I also think there was so much in the synopsis that was left out of the book.
Even with all the negatives, I think I’d still like to see the movie since the movie is sometimes very different than the book, and I love Robert Redford.
6 Responses to “A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson”
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I was surprised to learn about the negatives in this book; they’d bother me as well. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts, Diane.
Sorry, I meant to say, Vicki!
No problem Jessica! 🙂
I’ve read a couple of his books and enjoyed them. It’s too bad he chose to make fun of people in this one.
I read the one about England and it bothered me that he was rude to some locals and poked fun at them. Overall, the writing was very good and I planned to read more, in spite of that initial irritation.
I am on the list to get the movie from the library. Will let you know how I like it!
I haven’t read the book but did see the movie and found the actual storyline a little disappointing too!