It's not as obvious in the first part of the book, but I think overall I'd consider this a travelogue more than a trail walking book: The dips in and out of trail sections, the areas nearby explored, the number of chapters that focus on history related to the trail but not their walking if it. While over half the book is Bryson and Katz's adventures, it's not exclusively a recounting of the trail experience. 1/?
I'm used to Appalachian Trail narratives being bulked out with trivia at this point, but there was something a little sensationalist about digging out the gory details to provide wry 3mo
Likewise Bryson can paint an exquisitely vivid portrait of the humanity encountered on trail, but that also means that when he's displeased he becomes wittily acerbic when I'm not always sure it's warranted.
I appreciate the vulnerability shown in recounting their final struggles on the trail, and the relatable idea of the experience being worthwhile even if it wasn't 'the whole thing.' 3mo
⚠️ Fatphobia, animal death, alcoholism 3mo