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| Home > iLife > Review: "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson |
| Review: "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson | | Date Created: Nov 22, 2004, 04:15 PM |
Bill Bryson's, "A Walk in the Woods", is a refreshing, earnest, fun-filled account of the author's daring attempt to traverse the Appalachian Trail on foot. Told in an easy-going, casual style, the book takes us from Bryson's first realization that bits of the famous trail were peeking out from his backyard, through his humorous preparation for the journey, to his trials and tribulations on the trail itself. His account is both informative, intimate, and humorous.
Accompanied at first by an old friend, Bryson finds that dealing with a partner can be more daunting and daring and exhausting than hiking a trail. Left alone for a spell, the author discovers the true wonders of the beautiful countryside, encounters a few more natural wonders, and evolves refreshed, reborn, and well rested, with a yearning to explore more of Nature's wonders.
Bryson chose to read the audiobook himself, which gives the listener an intimate view of the goings-on, as what he is reading is what he himself experienced while out in the fields. His comical adventures with Katz, his clumsy friend, would be material for a great Tom Hanks/John Candy movie back in the eighties. Listening to this book made me want to start hiking somewhere - anywhere (and quite often I was, though it was an odd sensation to be reading about trees and mountains while walking through the concrete jungle of Manhattan). It also had me remember the times I did spend hiking in the Pennsylvania forests, and the splendor and vastness of the Natural sites I've seen in my life (such as the Grand Canyon, during a cross-country drive). The frustrations he emits with his friends are all too familiar to those who have traveled long distances with fussy friends. All at once you feel you are with him, as well as feel glad that it's not you who has to be there!
Though the topic might not sound interesting to everyone, if you have ever walked through a park and stopped to look at the leaves on the ground, or watched the squirrels, or just sat and enjoyed soaking in the sun, you will enjoy this book. It's also enjoyable and inspirational for those who like to hear about the trials and tribulations of people who are trying to reach seemingly impossible goals.
While listening, I couldn't help but hope that a good filmmaker or playwright takes this material and makes a great movie or play out of it. The episodic encounters, particularly with the scenes involving Katz, would provide an interesting story flow set across a scenic background.
I found Bryson to be such an interesting writer/reader that I immediately searched around for other books he may have written, and to my joy, he has amassed an impressive collection of recollections! I look forward to exploring them soon. It turned out, that one of my favorite (and first) audiobooks, was indeed one written by Bryson ("A Short History of Nearly Everything"), who's calm, plaintive, British tone is perfect for delivering his dead-pan humor. Here's a man who knows a thing or two about Space, Science, and the history of the world, and there he goes trapsing through the woods with barely an idea of what kind of equipment he needs to survive the night. As the Brits might say, this book is truly, "Brilliant."
"A Walk In the Woods" was entertaining, fascinating, and rather inspiring. A lot like the subject matter at hand. **** stars
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