Promenons-nous dans les bois
by Susan, Bill Bryson, Brant Pellett
- First published 1997
- 346 pages
- French
After two decades in Britain, Bill Bryson returned to the United States with a desire to reacquaint himself with his native land. He chose a rather unconventional method: to hike the entirety of the Appalachian Trail, a continuous footpath stretching over two thousand miles from Georgia to Maine. The trail offers a journey through silent forests, across sparkling lakes, and into some of America's most beautiful and rugged wilderness. To avoid tackling this monumental trek alone, he is joined by his old friend Stephen Katz, a gloriously out-of-shape and comically unprepared companion who brings his own unique brand of chaos to the endeavor.
What follows is more than just a chronicle of a long walk. It is a laugh-out-loud account of two men confronting the wild with little more than their own questionable judgment, all while Bryson weaves in the fascinating history of the trail, the science of the natural world around them, and sharp-eyed observations on the relationship between civilization and wilderness. This journey is an exploration of America's last great wilderness and a moving plea for its preservation, offering a story of adventure, comedy, and the rediscovery of one's country.
What follows is more than just a chronicle of a long walk. It is a laugh-out-loud account of two men confronting the wild with little more than their own questionable judgment, all while Bryson weaves in the fascinating history of the trail, the science of the natural world around them, and sharp-eyed observations on the relationship between civilization and wilderness. This journey is an exploration of America's last great wilderness and a moving plea for its preservation, offering a story of adventure, comedy, and the rediscovery of one's country.
- Mood
- Adventurous
- Where and when
- United States
- Style
- Audience: Children
What readers say
4.07
460K ratings across the web 8 in 10 readers loved it
Reviewers widely praise the book for its distinctive humor and engaging narrative style. Many found Bill Bryson's wit to be a significant highlight, leading to frequent laughter and an enjoyable reading experience. The dynamic between Bryson and his companion, Stephen Katz, is often cited as a source of great amusement, with Katz's character adding considerable comedic value through his hapless yet endearing antics. Readers also appreciated the inclusion of fascinating historical facts, details about the geology, ecology, flora, and fauna of the Appalachian Trail, and Bryson's unique perspective as an American expat returning to rediscover his native land. The book is lauded for providing an entertaining, vicarious adventure that captures the essence of the trail and the human interactions encountered along the way.
However, several reviewers expressed reservations, primarily regarding Bryson's tone and the book's structure. Some found Bryson to be smug, superior, and overly critical of other hikers, the National Park Service, and various individuals he met, leading to an off-putting and at times mean-spirited humor. A common complaint was the extensive "info-dumping" or "didactic" sections, where the narrative deviates from the personal hiking experience to delve into lengthy historical, geological, or environmental discussions, which some found tedious and dry. Many were also disappointed that Bryson and Katz did not complete the entire trail, feeling that the focus shifted too much from the actual hiking journey to unrelated tangents or car-based excursions. These elements caused some readers to lose interest, finding parts of the book boring or feeling it lacked the depth they desired.
Overall, the book offers a humorous and informative travelogue, albeit one with a polarizing narrative voice and a tendency for extensive digressions. It is best suited for readers who appreciate Bill Bryson's distinctive, often critical, brand of wit and who are interested in learning about the history, ecology, and challenges of the Appalachian Trail, even if the journey itself is not completed. Those looking for a purely inspirational hiking memoir or a straightforward, consistently lighthearted account may find its critical tone and factual tangents less appealing. It is a book for those who enjoy a blend of personal adventure, social commentary, and accessible non-fiction, presented through the eyes of a self-deprecating yet sometimes exasperated narrator.
However, several reviewers expressed reservations, primarily regarding Bryson's tone and the book's structure. Some found Bryson to be smug, superior, and overly critical of other hikers, the National Park Service, and various individuals he met, leading to an off-putting and at times mean-spirited humor. A common complaint was the extensive "info-dumping" or "didactic" sections, where the narrative deviates from the personal hiking experience to delve into lengthy historical, geological, or environmental discussions, which some found tedious and dry. Many were also disappointed that Bryson and Katz did not complete the entire trail, feeling that the focus shifted too much from the actual hiking journey to unrelated tangents or car-based excursions. These elements caused some readers to lose interest, finding parts of the book boring or feeling it lacked the depth they desired.
Overall, the book offers a humorous and informative travelogue, albeit one with a polarizing narrative voice and a tendency for extensive digressions. It is best suited for readers who appreciate Bill Bryson's distinctive, often critical, brand of wit and who are interested in learning about the history, ecology, and challenges of the Appalachian Trail, even if the journey itself is not completed. Those looking for a purely inspirational hiking memoir or a straightforward, consistently lighthearted account may find its critical tone and factual tangents less appealing. It is a book for those who enjoy a blend of personal adventure, social commentary, and accessible non-fiction, presented through the eyes of a self-deprecating yet sometimes exasperated narrator.
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Details & editions
- This edition
- PAYOT, 2012
- ISBN
- 9782228907507
- ISBN-10
- 2228907502
- Language
- French
Original edition A Walk in the Woods Originally published in 1997 · English · Doubleday
