A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson opens up as a tale of two separate paths. The story explains that the two main characters are quite different from each other and that they turn out to have a bit of an awkward partnership. They know each other from the past, but not necessarily in a good way. Not only has Katz had serious problems in his life with substance and alcohol abuse, but he also owes Bryson a hefty sum of dough: $600. The only reason that these two men end up on this hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail is because they knew each other from several years ago. However they did not have a positive relationship because of Katz’s several addictions, so Bryson never really had a chance to truly get to know Stephen Katz.
But despite the two men’s history with each other, they are together here and now on this hiking trip and plan on making things work between them. I believe that Katz went along on this trip because he wanted to clear his head of everything negative that was going on in his life at the time. And what better way to get away from the rest of the world and get some fresh air then on a hiking trip? Katz might see this as an opportunity to start over in his life. He realizes what he has done and that he needs to change, so I believe that he is looking to take some time to reflect in the peaceful atmosphere of the Appalachian Trail.
Of course, Bryson only took Katz along because he could find no one else able to accompany him, so it will be interesting to see how the two of them get along in the later chapters of the book.
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1 comment:
Nick, this is well written but says nothing that has not already been said
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