The spellbinding story of Chris McCandless, who gave away his savings, hitchhiked to Alaska, walked into the wilderness alone, and starved to death in 1992, fascinated not just New York Times bestselling author Jon Krakauer, but also the rest of the nation. Krakauer’s book,Into the Wild, became an international bestseller, translated into thirty-one languages, and Sean Penn’s inspirational film … inspirational film by the same name further skyrocketed Chris McCandless to global fame. But the real story of Chris’s life and his journey has not yet been told – until now. The missing pieces are finally revealed in The Wild Truth, written by Carine McCandless, Chris’s beloved and trusted sister. Featured in both the book and film, Carine has wrestled for more than twenty years with the legacy of her brother’s journey to self-discovery, and now tells her own story while filling in the blanks of his. Carine was Chris’s best friend, the person with whom he had the closest bond, and who witnessed firsthand the dysfunctional and violent family dynamic that made Chris willing to embrace the harsh wilderness of Alaska. Growing up in the same troubled household, Carine speaks candidly about the deeper reality of life in the McCandless family. In the many years since the tragedy of Chris’s death, Carine has searched for some kind of redemption. In this touching and deeply personal memoir, she reveals how she has learned that real redemption can only come from speaking the truth.
“The Wild Truth is an important book on two fronts: It sets the record straight about a story that has touched thousands of readers, and it opens up a conversation about hideous domestic violence hidden behind a mask of prosperity and propriety.”–NPR.org
A New York Times Bestseller
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Well researched and well written. A Krakauer classic.
I like to read true life stories. I remember reading about Chris Macandless after he was found and this book appealed to me to read it from someone who knew him intimately. Now I need to read Into The Wild and see the movie. I found this book hard to put down. I read it very quickly.
Interesting because I read the first book and saw the movie, but the author’s narrative was too repetitive.
I wanted the back story on Chris, the young man found dead in the Alaskan wilderness. Sad to see a dysfunctional family & their unique consequences. The sister thinks she is healthier and deludes herself to this day.
I read “In to the wild” a while ago. This was a great book to add to the story. A bit wordy but well written and interesting. Toward the end. I was skimming.
I was a little bored by this book. I didn’t find it that interesting. It was ok. I made myself finish it. The book just st wasn’t memorable for me.
Excited to read the story from another perspective. Surprised at the abusive environment these parents created for their children. Sad.
Author’s true account of her family life seemed honest. It says a lot of how society lives, and what we value and its unfortunate consequences. Wish I had read “Into the Wild” first. Glad family has gotten closer inspite of their childhood lives. It’s tragic that the parents never admitted their mistakes.
Unfortunately, he was a very bright individual raised in a very dysfunctional family and was very foolish to go off and try to live off the land in AK as he did without much experience in the wild especially in AK where the environment and climate are very unforgiving.
No where good as the book about her brother, but it did fill out the story.
So this was a very important book for the author to write. She breaks a lifetime of silence to speak about her abusive parents, who always needed to pretend to be perfect in public. Groundbreaking for her, and I applaud her bravery.
That said, there really isn’t much reason for anyone else you read this book. If you are looking to understand her famous, doomed brother, then you will be disappointed in this book. It’s mainly about the author. And “he was from an abisive home” pretty much covers it. If you are looking for insight and understanding about child abuse, there are many authors who are far more insightful, and far better writers.
Shows a different side of the original telling. I love layers, even if they are subjective.
What a story of generations of family affected by two peoples selfish choices! At times sad yet in the end uplifting! Similarities to some family members….
A different view of the young man, Chris McCandless, who went “Into the Wild”. His sister shares her fascinating life and the reasoning Chris took in exploring Alaska.
I remember the story of The Young Person’s death from years back and knowing that he probably had some family history. It was welcoming to read the tale of his sister’s personal development through investigation and writing about her brother’s death. It is also interesting to learn that there was a medical reason for his weakness and inability to feed himself. Had he not had such a reaction to the potato seeds he might have survived, but would she have a torrid as she did?
It’s hard to read about someone who was so loved that has died a tragic death. The sister and author really put her heart into this book. I thank her for her honesty and the love she shows. Even to people who don’t deserve it. Great read.
I watched the movie INTO THE WILD on Father’s day with my husband son and grandson. I found the book just last weekend and just finished today July eighth. I laughed, cried and thought the book was a great companion to the movie. The movie was Chris’s journey and story. The book is more about the sister brother relationship and what the sister went through without her brother in her life. The book also told more about the other siblings and more about the parents relationship with all the children. Fascinating family dynamic. Good read. So sorry for Chris.
I’m glad she told the truth about her brother. I thought he was a crazy jerk until this. Now I understand.