A Walk in the Woods - Aidan O'Loughlin

I would consider my second summer reading book A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, a good

story. Out of all the books on the list of recommendations I chose this book because of it’s

description. It stated that the book was witty, and about two very out of shape people hiking the

Appalachian trail, I immediately  knew that this was the book I was going to read. It includes

great narration, a fascinating plot, and captivating themes.

The author, Bill Bryson, narrates the entire story. He supplies the book with humor and a happy note, as well as information and a more serious tone. Throughout the book he can bring out his voice in multiple ways, in a more humorous tone like, “I wanted a little of that swagger that comes with being able to gaze at a far horizon through eyes of chipped granite and say with a slow, manly sniff, ‘Yeah, I’ve shit in the woods.’”(Bryson, 4) He can also take a more serious tone, “Then there is the little-known family of organisms called hantaviruses, which swarm in the micro-haze above the feces of mice and rats and are hoovered into the human respiratory system by anyone unlucky enough to stick a breathing orifice near them-by lying down, say, on a sleeping platform over which infected mice have recently scampered. Among viruses only rabies, ebola, and HIV are more lethal. Again, there is no treatment.” (Bryson, 6)  No matter what it is he is talking about Bill Bryson makes it interesting; however, the book also has other reasons to be liked. Such as it’s fascinating plot. The basic plot is two old friends who are very out of shape decide to thru hike the Appalachian trail. The book follows these two through their hardships, their fights, and their adventure. While it is not super adventurous it is certainly entertaining and an interesting plot that has a multitude of frightening scenarios. However, not only does this book have a great plot, it has captivating themes. It is based around how important friendship is and how we need to take care of the environment. Friendship is very important in this book, at the start the author and Katz weren’t close and I didn’t even like Katz; however, by the end I was worrying for Katz. The book also taught me much about the environment, national parks,  and the Appalachian trail I didn’t know about.  Without out the book I never would have known that the Parks and Recreation committee while less funded than it used to uses its money on unimportant projects when they know about species of animals going extinct and entire species of trees being wiped out.  This book is not only  interesting to read, it tells a story that is hard to forget.

I have read a lot of books and A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson is definitely worth your time.

A Walk in the Woods