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Author
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Topic: A Walk in the Woods
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Steve Klare
Film Guy
Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted September 08, 2015 02:58 PM
So I was watching the 'Tube the recently and saw that "A Walk in the Woods" was opening up in theaters this week.
I got a lot more excited than usual when a new feature is coming out because this is one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors: Bill Bryson.
-basically it goes something like this: well middle-aged Bill Bryson discovers that the Appalachian Trail passes by his recently acquired New Hampshire home.
Gradually the idea takes hold in his head to hike the thing...soon he says "Why not?!"
The entire remainder of the book is packed with examples of why not!
He talks to various friends about going with him, since his wife absolutely forbids him going it alone and the only taker is his old friend Stephen Katz who is barely in shape for a walk to the store, never mind over 2,000 miles from Maine to Georgia.
The thing I've always loved about this book is very often when you look at books about outdoor sports, it's always the expert: the guy who once competed in the Olympics, who has the $5,000 carbon fiber hiking staff and the cost-as-much-as-a-house backpack. Of course he thinks you're a wimp if you can't complete the AT: he's done it five times including last year after he messed up his leg skiing! (-and he's better at THAT than you are too!)
"A Walk in the Woods" is outdoorsmanship for the rest of us, they are in no way mentally, physically or psychologically ready to do this (just like ME!).
I actually owe a debt to Bill Bryson: whatever foolish ideas I ever had about through hiking the AT died a merciful death at his hands when I read this book! I stick to the local trails and then go home for a warm meal and a real bed!
This is a poor book to read on public transportation: there are times you just can't help but laugh hysterically and your fellow passengers may find that scary! (Seriously: Never read a Bryson book while you are drinking a soda: your nasal passages will never forgive you!)
The movie? Well, Mr. Redford and Nolte are pushing double the age they should be for these parts, but I still have hopes for it.
The sad part is when I see a movie, the face of the actor is forever plastered on that character whenever I encounter him again. I am reading "A Walk in the Woods" right now and Bill Bryson still looks like Bill Bryson in my head. As much as Mr. Bryson might like the idea, I hope the next time I read one of his books he doesn't look like Robert Redford!
Word on the street is this was filmed, on FILM!
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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...
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![[Smile]](smile.gif)
....Must be good casting.
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