A Walk in the Woods (by Bill Bryson)
I frequently encounter author Bill Bryson in my bookish social media feeds, and I’m aware of his widespread popularity. As a nature lover, I recently added A Walk in the Woods to my reading list. Thanks to Goodreads’ Community Challenges, this book was a qualifying book for the Centennial Challenge. I decided to heed the universe’s nudge and embark on a journey of adventure with Bill Bryson.
A Walk in the Woods recounts Bill’s courageous decision to embark on a hike along the Appalachian Trail (AT), from Georgia to Maine. At least that’s how far the trail extends. Through his journey, Bill takes readers on a humorous adventure, sharing comedic anecdotes about life on the trail. He describes the breathtaking scenery, the cozy sleeping accommodations, the delectable culinary delights, and the delightful interactions he had with fellow hikers. (My own attempt at humor.) Throughout his tales, Bill also provides insightful information about the AT, including its historical origins, knowledge about the bears and other wildlife that inhabit the wilderness, and scientific observations about the plants and geology he encountered.
Based on the book description, I initially believed that Bill had hiked the entire AT. However, it turned out that he had hiked a significant portion of it from Georgia to Virginia before taking a break to return home. Once back home, he often spent time exploring his local wilderness on day hikes and longer hikes back on the AT periodically. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about his experience and wish I could have experienced the sights he observed firsthand. It appears to have been a truly magical experience, and I eagerly anticipate my upcoming hikes in the desert.
Bill is an entertaining storyteller, but he doesn’t hold back in insulting the local cultures he encountered. I believe he intended to be humorous, but at times, I struggled to see the humor and perceived his descriptions as more condescending to the natives. For example, it seemed he was a bit harsh on the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, Tennessee area. Objectively, that’s not a destination I would have chosen coming straight from the wilderness. Even back then, Gatlinburg was quite a bustling tourist destination. So, I can appreciate how difficult it would have been to reintegrate there.
I’m a nature lover who enjoys immersing myself in it during hikes. However, I’m not sure I’m prepared for the challenges of hiking in the wilderness for months. I’ll stick to day hikes instead. Several years ago, my aunt and uncle hiked a significant portion of the AT. I remember my aunt posting pictures and sharing a journal of their adventures on social media. It seemed like an intense and enjoyable adventure.
I borrowed the audiobook of A Walk in the Woods from my library with Hoopla. Narrator Rob McQuay did an excellent job giving Bill’s story a voice. My only criticism of the narration is that Rob mispronounced Appalachian. He used the most common pronunciation; however, it tends to upset the natives. By now, I’ve lived in southern states almost half of my life, and I quickly learned the correct pronunciation is a-puh-la-chn.
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