It's been at least 2 years since I've read this work of art but I felt the need to review regardless.
This book has to be one of my all-time, well loved favorites. I remember being blown away the first time I read it. I often found myself searching for pen and paper to inscribe particularly powerful passages, and there were a hell of a lot. While the movie is actually one of the better novel-adaptations I've seen, it still cannot compete. There is so much that this book conveys that a movie just CAN'T.
I really felt at times that it was pure poetry; the idyllic scenes, the revelations, just the simple tale of this one man who felt more in-tune with nature than with his fellow man. The fact that this man felt he could abandon all ties to civilized life. It is truly inspiring and often had me wanting to get up and set off on my own adventure.
Perhaps this novel doesn't convey the finality and loose-end tying of fictitious work but that's what you get sometimes when the story you are reading is based on reality. Especially given that almost all elements of this book are derived from his family or those who came across him during his adventure; therefore, secondhand. But still.
I'm not the type to give away key points but there were a few choice parts that floored me. Some of it is tragic, all of it is inspiring.
One of my favorite reads and I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.