I recently went grocery shopping and overheard a couple talking about a free movie they went to. Imagine my surprise when I hear them saying, “We just saw A Walk in the Woods” for free. My ears perked up and I walked over. “Did you just say you saw A Walk in the Woods at the movie theater?” Them, “Yes, we did.” I was so excited. I told them how I had recently finished the book. I didn’t realize they had made a movie. Now, I have to find and watch this. Hopefully, the movie is as good as the book. This book was really funny. I’ve been wanting to continue my comedy book streak and so far, so good.
**SPOILERS ABOUND***
I thought it was so funny when Bill was describing the shopping trip prior to his Appalachian trail walk. OMG! Ahah. The upsells were criminal and the focus on the most minute detail. When the employee asks him what straps does he want with his backpack, I lost it. I was with Bill on this one…it doesn’t come with straps?!? Anndd then he goes to sell him a raincover. Haha. Overkill, much?
I appreciate this book for interspersing details about the Appalachian trail, particularly how much we don’t seem to know about it, like it’s complete length. That seems like that would be something to know about a trail that people are taking…but I don’t know. I also am grateful for the information about the danger of the trail, because as I was reading, I did think about going hiking for part of the trail, now I’m not so sure.
The section about when he sees Katz for the first time in 10 years prior to boarding the plane to start the trip was hilarious. I’m not sure what the author expected though. He had called a guy that he hadn’t spoken to in a veeerrrry long time…on short notice….to go on an extended hike with him. Comedy ensues, as I expected. I will add, that it was nice to see the change in their bond over time and their level-headed reactions to situations that could be very dangerous.
The description of Mary Ellen, who was a real piece of work 😂, was another one of my highlights from the book. “Big mistake. Noodles have got like no energy. I mean like zero” Her ensuing comments on their camping gear, how much ground they covered, Kat’s size, and any essentially anything they were doing, was comedic. I loved to hate her.
Near the end of the book, I started to get worried for Katz when he disappeared onto the trail and Bill mentioned it was starting to get dark. I was reading with bated breath to see how this was turned out. I was so relieved that Katz came back and this didn’t end on a sad note with Katz being lost in the wilderness.
I appreciated this book the most for the light it shared on a trail that I haven’t thought much about. I also love the comedic writing of Bill and the way his relationship with his friend, Katz, as well as his expectations of himself changed throughout the book.
Now, I’ll have to find the movie and see how this book translated to the screen. Have you read A Walk in the Woods or seen the movie? Tell me your thoughts. Also, has anyone hiked the Appalachian trail? How was that??
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