A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods

Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail

by Bill Bryson

I'm not sure what I expected from this book, other than the back cover mentioned "bizarre assortment of hilarious characters" and "comic genius."

The book started out interesting enough; I enjoyed the trips to the Dartmouth Co-op picking out camping gear, and I enjoyed the meet-up with his overweight hiking buddy who seemed to think that tons of donuts would sustain them on their hike through the Appalachians. The characters they met along the way were interesting and fascinating; I especially liked the girl who debated every comment and seemed to think she was the only person who knew anything, eventually ending up debating her own comments.

While the beginning of the book was enjoyable, my interest began to wane. As I watched my bookmark's progression, my feelings about its placement seemed to coincide with Bryson's feelings about the walk - I was a bit tired of it. Much of the middle of the book consisted of informational entries about the mountains and history of the trail rather than Bryson's experiences on the trail. I then realized that when you're walking through the woods, it's difficult to describe the sameness of each day differently, especially when one might go days without seeing another person. Each tree, each trail looks the same as another.

I was hoping for at least a bear or bobcat encounter, but there was none. The buddy did have an exciting episode though.

There were points along the way for tents and short trails into the nearest town. It was at one of these stops when they realize they've moved only two inches on the map. Eventually, rather than being discouraged, all of a sudden they, along with the reader, experience freedom - it's okay if they don't walk the whole trail. Hence - A Walk in the Woods.