On Living

It’s been three days and I am still haunted by him.

On Friday night, some of my friends took me to see Into the Wild. Based on Jon Krakauer’s book by the same name, the film traces the last two years of the life of Chris McCandless, an intense and smart young man who decided to give up a cushiony life and comfortable future for living it out in Alaska. All by himself and by the dint of what he could get off the landscape through hunting, fishing, and foraging. Like primordial men, far away from the glitter and dirt of civilization.

The book is not a work of fiction. Google Chris McCandless and Jon Kraukauer and you will be surprised by the number of entries and devotees this story has gathered. Which is interesting and tells you straight on that there must be something special in the whole saga. Still, before leaving for the film that night, and also because I hadn’t read the book, I was skeptical. I had already been told the plot and I was willing to dismiss the whole idea as bizarre and foolishly romantic.

But then, I saw the film. I saw Emile Hirsch play the character of Chris McCandless and do an excellent job of it. His rendition of a man haunted by inner demons, convinced of the power of dreams, and a passion for living on his terms stunned me in to disbelief. Although I did not become a convert to the cause, nor am I even toying with the idea of visiting Alaska for pleasure unless it’s in the peak of summer and in select areas because I hate snow and ice too much, I am convinced of the message McCandless transmitted, and that is, the need to live and not just exist.

It’s been three days and I cannot wipe McCandless away from my mind. Here are two things I have enjoyed, and maybe, so will you. The first is a link to the article Kraukauer wrote before writing the book. It is a fascinating and gripping piece of writing and I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the entire article available for free online. The second is the link to one of the most perfect songs I have ever heard. It is by Eddie Vedder (from Pearl Jam). It is called Hard Sun, and it is my most favorite track from the wonderful music of this memorable film.

McCandless was twenty-four at the time of his death. And the heaviest load in his backpack was from a library of nine to ten books including Lenin and Thoreau.