"wilderness"

1996 · Jon Krakauer · 224 pages · Nonfiction

Jon Krakauer's account of Chris McCandless and his fatal journey into the Alaskan wilderness remains one of the most debated nonfiction books of the past thirty years. It is a gripping, well-researched story told by a writer who clearly sees something of himself in his subject. The book's greatest achievement is that it refuses to settle the central question: was McCandless a brave idealist or a reckless fool? Krakauer presents the evidence and lets readers argue, and three decades later, they're still arguing.

2021 · 3 Seasons · Showtime · Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Yellowjackets is a gripping survival thriller that hooks you with its dual-timeline mystery and refuses to let go. The performances from both the adult and teen casts are consistently excellent, and the show finds smart ways to explore how trauma reshapes identity over decades. Season 2 stumbles with pacing issues and some underwhelming present-day storylines, but the central mystery and the wilderness descent into savagery remain compelling enough to keep you watching. It's a show that rewards patience, even when that patience gets tested.