Mia

This was an interesting read. I made the mistake of reading other reviews after only a few pages of this book, so the story was kind of spoiled for me. Yes, this was a gut-wrenching book. Not because of the snooty women she associates with nor the lesbian affair she has. But it was her relationship with her parents, her ex-best friend, and family that really made this book worth it. Missy was just a distraction. All in all, an interesting book, and I do love me a happy ending...

So, I really need to stop reading other people's reviews because it only furthers my hate for ignorant people.

This book to me has nothing to do with a “privileged girl afraid to lose her status” or young twenty-something female angst or anything with feminism nor does it cause me to hate Ted Hughes with the fury and passion of a thousand suns. It's a story of a woman who has worked so hard and studied intensely for so many years and kept herself as pure as society wanted her - but for what? I can relate in that I thought I knew for the first 23 years of my life exactly what I wanted to do and then realized I had no clue. And to be caught in this deep depression that can't be cured by a man taking care of you or some group therapy sittings.

It's the same people who don't see how depression can consume you that won't appreciate this novel for what it is. Semi-autobiographical or not, it hits close to home. Scary.

Overall, a well-written account of Chris McCandless and his journey in Alaska and other parts of the west. Like many, I heard of the book from the movie and thought it was going to be a re-read of the film. But it included so many tidbits and insights of Chris (aka Alexander Supertramp) and other explorers throughout time. I'd definitely recommend reading this and try not to succumb to your inner wanderlust and the urge to pack just the bare necessities and head to a remote location to find yourself.