Naomi Robert - Comments 5 and 6

I agree with Joy; the lesson Bryson learned about his need for companionship was very important. She makes a very good point about how Bryson clearly is not suited to walk alone. Not only is the trail a difficult feat to master, but no fun to do alone. Bill Bryson is obviously a comedian (and a very good one), meaning he thrives off the responses of others; he’s a performer in need of an audience. Without Katz or even the more capable hiker Abdu, Bryson is bored. When discussing his solo hikes in the novel, Bryson includes substantially more random information about the AT.

I disagree with Cari when she said that Bryson has passion and love for the AT. In this case, I think it is important to remember that Bryson was really writing for a purpose – for a book. In some parts of the novel, Bryson makes the reader think that he is enamored with nature by providing detailed, instructive asides about the environment. In reality, however, I think the author is just a comedian with a well-researched topic and a desire to be more of a “nature” man. Also, Bryson clearly dislikes many sections of the AT, especially his unpleasant hike in Pennsylvania, criticizing the state’s bad maps, poorly planned trails, and ugly scenery, among other things.