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and I didn't think it would be as funny as she had told me it was. Haven't finished the book yet, but I've bitten through a great chunk. Bryson has an amazing sense of humor, and knows a lot about what he's writing about. It's absolutely hilarious and has got me flippin' pages like a madwoman. This book was recommended to me from a woman at the gym (ironic). On a side note, the bear looks all cute and cuddly before you begin reading, but after you read about the bear accounts, you'll be wanting to hide from it. much like I did.
The heart of the book lies in self-reflection, however, as Bryson tries to reconcile his relationships with the trail, his companion, and America. Stephen Katz, childhood friend, accompanies Mr.
Bryson examines the AT as a microcosm of America, an ever-changing institution with pros and cons; the former ultimately the latter. A Walk in the Woods is like a slice of cake, a multi-layered treat rich in belligerence, comedy, and insight, satisfying from start to finish.
Flubba" ("He's more the shoot your balls of type"). As promised, he straps on his boots so you, the ever tantamount reader, can walk the trail without the blisters, cramps, and empty wallet.
Along the way, we meet eccentric characters such as Mary Ellen ("Say, is that a Hostess cupcake.") and "Bubba T. Bryson and acts as a comic foil.
As Bryson points out, you do a lot of thinking on the trail.
Hysterical. LOL funny. For us non-hikers who are married to backpackers, this is a wonderfully amusing account of the preparation and ordeal (as we see it) of hiking.
This was a very enjoyable book. I would also recommend "In a Sunburned Country" by the same author.
I therefore tend to read books on AT (Appalachian Trail) and it's hikers as it's a dream I'll never realize. We also, as we sadly do in so many 'Trail' books, get preached at about just how crappy we're doing as caretakers of this planet. I used to camp all the time when I was growing up, with my folks and later on involved in Scouting. Bryson sets off, completely unprepared mentally or physically to walk the AT and soon discovers that it's a daunting task. I found myself laughing out loud in many places. 'Walk' is about a man discovering there's a trail, unbroken (more or less) from Georgia to Maine. There's a few moments, mostly littering by throwing gear away and not policing his cigarette butts by Katz that I find rather annoying.
I know it's a problem but if I wanted to read about it I'd go looking for books on THAT topic and not hiking. I hiked, day hikes mostly and usually as often as the weather would allow with little concern for the season. Bryson's not the worst by a long shot but I'd really love to read a story about hiking the AT without the need to break out into how we're killing the amphibians off or how many species of trees have gone extinct due to our careless nature. Some 2,100 miles long up the Appalachian corridor. Bill's got a good grasp of humor and never fails to convey the humor in the situations he and his hiking companion, Katz, who's even more ill prepared for the journey than the author. Don't get me wrong, this is well worth reading (thanks Lisa). I could just do without the preaching from the soapbox.
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