Never expected you talking about Chess Story, it's a little favorite of mine, it was the last book Zweig wrote and not only is a very gripping novella but also is very revealing of his thoughts at the time, the boat trip can be viewed as his trip to Brazil to run from the Nazis and the fear he felt from them is very well exposed in the book. The house in which he died (Petrópolis, Brazil) has a big chess piece monument and is open for visits and i hope to someday go there (even though I lam from Brazil it's too far from where I live).
My biggest gripe with Into the Wild book/movie is that McCandless, despite being a complete an utter idiot, has been made into an icon for some sections of the hiking community, the bus became a pilgrimage location, and after 15 people have needed rescuing and 2 have died trying to reach it they had to airlift the bus out of the area to prevent further tragedy. You may enjoy Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford, which a retired search and rescue LEO joins the search for 3 missing hikers from the PCT, their families, the hiking communities, the different search methods attempted.
I‘m from Germany and we had to read the „Schachnovelle“ at school. I remember LOVING it! I‘m so glad you loved it too, it made me really emotional hearing you talk about it, because, yess, the story is so gripping and well written! And I loved the ending, it was sad and fascinating at the same time. Thanks for reading it!
I never thought I'd see someone on the Internet talk about the Chess Story. I read that in school in German to analyse it and I found it so fascinating, it was probably one of the few things I read in school that I liked. So happy that you were equally captured!
I read Into the Wild some 15 years ago when I was 19 or 20 and I remember loving it. But also I remember the narrative as putting us in Chris' head. The "wow" that it is presenting his story with, to me, was how he saw his journey. Also, I remember it not being about survival at all, but about rejecting society and rejecting modernity, including humanity's survival skills that are part of civilisation. He wanted to reject it all, live as a wild person, not a tourist, not a prepared survivalist. This is thr story of his want, it makes us understand his mindset, not the author's (I think) and it is the story of how it went for him. Not sure how I would feel about it if I read it today but this memories feel pretty well preserved, considering how long ago I read it 😂 I was much impressed at the time
@@Juan_Jose_Miraballes so, I've just listened to her review another time. maybe you should do so. she did not get the point of the book at all. it's not about survival or any tool or any skill the character should have to survive. so, she say at 6:55 "it's not a survival story but a tragedy" because the character does not survive, he dies. but before that she speaks of it as a survival story. and after 6:55 she speaks again about survival and how senseless the character is, and about tools and skills etc. which is absolutely not the point of the book!!! so please, you should consider listening to the review again, watching the movie before reading the book might be a good hint as well. the movie is a very good one, and maybe it makes clear that it is not about survival. I read the book after having watched the movie. I loved the movie, I did not remember how much I liked the book (to be honest).
Just read Chess last month and like you I loved it! Zweig succeeds in commenting on so much, from WWII, politics, culture, class, to intelligence, the nature of the mind and how far it can go before breaking, etc. And the running thread through all this are mind games. Brilliant!
I read Into the Wild in college and loved it deeply. For me, Krakauer doesn't have a tone of admiration; it's a tone of understanding. I strongly related at the time with the throughline of rejecting conventional value systems and challenging ourselves by our own self-constructed rites of passage. I think a lot of people - men especially - can look at McCandless's arrogant, naive, and misguided decisions and then reflect on our own bad decisions that were motivated by reckless youth, romanticized notions of adventure, and an inexplicable need to push outside our boundaries of safety. If you can relate to that, you'll probably love the book. If you can't, you won't.
It's insane to me that you mentioned that chess book because a friend just yesterday showed me clips from them performing in the play for it. I already wanted to read it, but now I need to. Glad it's short but omg. It sounds like you'd like more, but was the right size. Thanks for sharing this Merphy!
Did you like Chess Story? To me, that just sounds like a recommendation for March Comes in Like a Lion is warranted. Both the manga and the anime. It's about Shogi (Japanese "Chess", for the lack of a better term) and so much more. Along with Violet Evergarden, it's one of the best drama ever written for manga/anime.
Just started getting into your vlogs and aside from the fact that I'm finding listening to your enthusiasm for talking about books to be genuinely therapeutic after a stressful day of work, I'm literally two vlogs in and you've already given me an amazing gift idea for my wife. She'll love chess story! And much like you, her knowledge of chess is super limited. Just wanted to say thank you for that.
Thank you for this video! I actually paused your gush to read this book because I was so interested. It's soooo damn good. A new favourite for sure and one I want to dissect properly some time.
I read the book, watched the movie and wrote a paper on McCandless in college and I'll admit. He was a little too naïve to the point where it was really upsetting for me to sympathize with him. Absolutely it was tragic. Absolutely he didn't deserve to die. To me it comes across as a story of folly and the repercussions that come from it. What's even more crazy is that his situation wasn't completely hopeless! He had multiple lifelines to help him out of this situation, he wasn't as far as one would think from civilization, If I recall, he was about a quarter mile away from a canal that would have placed him back on a trail where it would be less than a days walk back to the nearest town. Idk man. I disliked his story as a whole not just the book.
NYRB Classics is such a treasure trove of great books. Zweig is an interesting and sad figure. The Grand Budapest Hotel is loosely based on some of his works.
You have me hooked on chess story! Im going to add it to my read list this year. Also, If you want / love Medusa stories I highly highly suggest Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. I read it on a whim this past year and it blew me away! I didn't know how much I needed sass in my Greek retellings.
I think what I felt from Into the Wild, book and movie, was that it was a guy with mental health issues looking for some peace in nature. I remember very strongly from the last frame of the movie there was a picture of the real chris mcandless that he took himself in Alaska and he looked genuinely happy and at peace, and as someone who also struggles with mental health issues, it made me tear up. Sure he went about wilderness survival the wrong way but I didn't think that's what he was really trying to do, I think he wanted to live in nature, not against it. Just saying what resonated with me and maybe why it resonated for others. The movie did show that more than the book though
Chess Story (or just Chess, as my copy was titled) is such a great novella! I really want to reread it soon, I definitely feel like there’s more to get from it. In one way, I read it as a metaphor for the different ways of being creative - someone who can create in their imagination with no tools, versus someone who can do it with tools at hand but can’t use their imagination unaided. But yeah, it’s so much more than that. A fascinating book, I really enjoyed hearing you gush about it.
So many people tried to duplicate Chris' story that they had to airlift the bus to an undisclosed location after 17 people tried to get to it. Two of those people died and the other 15 had to be rescued. They said that many viewed him as a modern day Thoreau. No doubt this view had everything to do with his portrayal in the book and subsequent movie. I also just bought the audio version of The Royal Game A Chess Story as they did not have it at my library. I would have never have picked it up without your passionate review. I would not have not heard of this author without you either. Thank you very much!!
I love Into the Wild. It had a huge impact on me when I was a teenager. I read it a long time ago, but this was my takeaway: I think Chris McCandless was a tragic story and he was definitely senseless. But I think his frustrations with his family and the society he lives in drive him to the senselessness. He was really young when he did this and I think there is some nobility in his seeking authenticity, adventure, and something real from the world even if he did not go about it in the best way; especially since his family seemed abusive and materialistic and he seemed to be looking for a different way through life than that. Id have to read it again to see if maybe Jon Krakauer is putting his decisions on a pedestal too much. PS Love the interlude shots!
I read Into the Wild in a high school class. When it came time for all of us to share our enjoyment rating of the book, I was the only one to give it a 2/10. I felt like I was missing something. But hearing you talk about it, I'm like YES, that's what I was feeling!
Not sure if you know that there is also a movie for Into the Wild. It's possible that, like me, most people watched the movie first and read the book after, heightening the enjoyment.
I had to read Into the Wild for high school English. I believe it was in grade 10. I had the same feelings about the book as you. It really seems like they could have chosen something better for mandatory reading.
This week I have been reading The Crusades by Geoffrey Hindley, A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles, and I'm rereading Throne of Glass via listening to the audio book on Libby.
I loved the movie Into the Wild, so I picked up a book. Books are always better right? Well not this one. I dnf it half way trough, because of all reasons that you mentioned here. The movie was more focused on the way Chris impacts the life's of others that he encounters on he's path, which was more appealing for me.
Chess Story kinda reminds me of Queen’s gambit a bit. A big part of it is that there are chess competitions. Queen’s gambit is also more stuff going on
In a lot of cases I read the books you present before you do if it’s not a new release and I end up agreeing with you if it’s good or bad even if not on the same reasons. So here I take your word in the case of Into the Wild I don’t put on my tbr we have enough books to read. I read Chess Story. Again, I agree. Great video. 👏
That into the wilds summary reminded me of a movie I caught in hbo, early 2010s, and it looks like it was an adaptation of the book. I can understand why a book would be even worse.
The Chees story book sounds fascinating. I used to be quite a fan of chess but have minimal talent (or discipline) to actually play it 😀 I once saw a documentary called AMERICAN GAMBIT about 6 young American chess players getting the opportunity to play the world champion of the time, Garry Kasparov. It was cool to see their excitement, and how different their personalities were in challenging a legend.
A Drop Of Venom. I have not read it, not sure I will, but but it is refreshing to hear that a sexual assault is handled well in story rather than just fall under a women in refrigerators trope.
Had to read Into the wild in high school. the teacher wanted us to admire Chris Mccandless for his adventure, but i just found him to be really really unhinged and delusional. I HATED this book so much
Jon Krakauer did start out as a journalist and I enjoy his journalistic style in his books, but I can see how that wouldn't appeal to others. The biggest thing I took away from Into the Wild was that it was a cautionary tale. Krakauer did a good job of making me understand why this kid THOUGHT he could just run into the wilderness and survive with no prep. I didn't feel like it was glorifying his quest. Saying it should have been a blog post or a youtube video doesn't really make sense given that the book was published in 1996.
Damn Merphy just spoiled us with that chess book. I thought these were spoiler free 😂 ive known about the book for yeats without spoilers but now i know the man has suffered 😂
1. So this is not pertinent to this particular vlog, but I just wanted to let you know that your constant gushing led me to buy Lies of Locke Lamora. I'm so far behind on my reading that I don't know when I'm going to get to it, but it's now officially on my Kindle and calling to me. 2. Kitteh!
I haven't read "Chess story" but after this video I will probably do. I suggest you to check "The Luneburg Variation" by Paolo Maurensig, also with chess at the centre of a story of fierce antagonism between two champions, a jew and a nazi, who confront each other through many years.
I am in complete agreement with you about Into the Wild. I have read it twice in the last 20 years, and I absolutely despise it. Yes, I think the story is sad, but what is sadder is that the way it was written inspired a generation of reckless fools to imitate McCandless; so many people have foolishly ignored rational thought to trek to the infamous bus only to then put rescue personnel in harm’s way to save them that Alaskan officials had to spend a fortune to move the bus to a secret location. Glorifying behavior that is borderline psychotic is a type of indiscreet endangerment that should never be viewed as good literature. This book is garbage, and I’ve never met anyone who liked it without having seriously unhealthy perspectives on the wilderness.
On Drop of Venom, I feel the motif of making villains "relatable" or "not really bad" or "being turned by trauma from the allegedly good" tiresome and cliche. I also don't understand why the author felt the need to adapt and twist Greek mythos to Indian, when India has such an untapped rich and expansive mythos of its own.
And if you like this one small Austrian book, here is another one. „The Master of the Day of Judgement“ by Leo Perutz. It is anther hours read that will be with you for years to come
I read Into the Wild when I was a teen and absolutely hated it. It seemed like the author was trying to come up with any excuse possible other than Chris simply wasn’t prepared. I ended up reading an article by a master forager who debunked the claims about him poisoning himself with seeds or plants. Also if I remember correctly the author totally switched it up like halfway through and talked about his own experience mountaineering and I was like, what the heck does this have to do with Chris? It just seemed like an excuse to talk about himself.
I watched the movie Into the Wild, and it just pissed me off. It seemed to be glorifying someone who made arrogant, reckless decisions and *predictably* died.
Any chance that you could ever read a Witcher book? In fall of last year I actually started reading because of you and picked up the Witcher books, because my partner was currently playing the games, and its going great so far! Would love to hear what you think of the books, at least the first two, that are a little bit more fairy tale-ish.
I had to read Into the Wild for school and absolutely hated it. The kid seemed to think he was so smart about everything without any background. Not just the wilderness but his rejection of society and refusal to obey ANY rules without thinking about WHY they exist and what would happen in a world without rules. And normally I am the rebellious of my friends and family. Maybe I hated it so much because it reminds me of my younger self and how entitled I was. None of my friends felt the same and some even liked it. Six years later, I didn’t know I needed my heart mended knowing that I wasn’t alone in my frustration ❤️🩹😂
I saw the film for Into the Wild years ago and I have never understood why it was posed as being about a man who so amazing and brave when in reality (I’m sorry for those who disagree) he’s very foolish. I wish the truth had turned out differently for him but unfortunately it didn’t. Also I have never heard of Chess Story but it sounds interesting!
it's funny because it's like telling a drug addict that drugs are bad, or telling a smoker that smoking is bad. the character might be foolish or not, that's not the point of the book. the guy takes risks, he is aware of it.
I watched the movie for Into the Wild and I liked it because it explored the emotional trauma McCandless carried with him. If the book isn't doing that, it's not doing anything. The worst possibility is that the trauma was invented for the movie, but I doubt this is the case. His trip in the wild, (Alaska, right?) is the least important part of what he does. Some of the people he met along the way, especially the parental figures, are the stories that make the movie... three and a half out of five stars? You're not missing much from missing the movie, I just assumed the book was better. Looking forward to your final review. That book may get the axe from the TBR.
I don’t think into the wild is about “against all odds”, I feel like for him it was about “I have no interest in living in society, where I am stuck doing the same thing everyday, seeing the same sunsets, etc.” it’s like a rejection of materialism. Into thin air is interesting becuase the author was actually there at the incident of the Everest catastrophe of 1997.
I value your reviews and would appreciate your thoughts on "MANIPULATED LIVES: Unmasking Social Media's Shadow" by Harmander Singh. Considering your expertise, your insights would help me decide if it's worth a read., please review this underrated book😊
I read Into the wild and very much did not like tone of admiration like you said. The book also underplays this young man's Obvious and significant mental illness. I do not think this book would have been written today in the same way. We really do know and understand so much more about neurodivergence. It was not admirable or inspirational or an exploration of deeper meaning. It was sad that this young man with mental illness struck out into solitude and died of mental illness.
You put this better than I could. That *exactly* how I felt reading the book. A tragety, yes. But the admiration and romanization of what caused that tragedy was not what I think the book needed
My comics recommendation for you are still ignored so I am instead recommending comics for your kids that my 7 yo daughter enjoyed tremendously this month : a beautiful and thoughtful and funny fantasy series : Lightfall And an hilarious absurdist action spy series : InvestiGATORS And also : Zita the space girl MAybe after you love those with the kids you'll trust me on Fables ! :o)
Into the wild infuriates me. It has become an anti capitalist anti society anthem and the guy pretty much dies immediately because he didn’t prepare anything.
I grew up in interior Alaska and had an awkward moment with a professor in college in the Lower 48 when he asked me if I had read Into the Wild. I started ranting about how insanely stupid it was and then he told me it was a wonderful story about the struggle to find yourself. Awkward.
Merphy doesn't understand the temptation of most men when they see an open field or woods to just walk off into the distance and survive off the land even if we have 0 abilities lol. We'd start crying 2 minutes in then die in 5 but it's still there 😂
oh trust me, I love adventure too and would love a book that focused more on that - my complaint was more in the narrative structure and the way the narrative painted things. But maybe it's just a me problem 😂
But that's the thing the story didn't frame it as the complete arrogance or stupidity but a thing to admire. The desire to just go into the wild unprepared without listening to anyone who's advising you may exist but it's not a thing to be romanticised like some thing only men desire of that should be given any amount of admiration.
Very on point for Into the Wild. My econ teacher in college used to tell his classes on the first day, "Nature wants you dead. Wealth is the ability to insulate yourself from nature." Between this and the Grizzly Man, well, sad ends come for those who are desperate to go out to nature without common sense. I will say this. The score for Into the Wild is incredible. It's Eddie Vedder doing all of it. My favorite thing that Into the Wild got us. ua-cam.com/video/ABsslEoL0-c/v-deo.htmlsi=gCJpd9OcQFGuvFRZ
I am always suprised when people do not want read about sexual assult does not reading about it in the book make it less terrible ? Or does it desappear from real world ? I think its selfish not wanting to read about it when people experience it in real life
The vast majority of people I know who don't want to read about SA, are people who have experienced SA in their own lives and it's triggering for them. I think it's harsh to say it's selfish of people to not want to read it when you don't know their circumstances.
@@Lynn-CA that understandable but refusing to read about it because its uncomfortable is not ofcourse its should be uncomfortable showing ugliness of it to people who does not have experience of it in order to try and make them understend and be more compasionate is the purpose in the first place
@@გიორგიგელაძე-მ4ნ The point I'm making is you shouldn't be going around calling people selfish because they don't want to read it. You don't know their personal lives and circumstances. SA is very common and the people you're pointing the finger at and insulting are most likely the ones that have been SA'd at some point in their lives.
Keep in mind that the person you’re calling selfish is a child that didn’t feel ready to read about this topic in a detailed and first hand manor. It’s good for kids to know their boundaries and lean on adults to help them navegate these painful topics. That’s not trying to erase them from the world and literature, it’s just a kid trying to gauge what they’re ready for
Never expected you talking about Chess Story, it's a little favorite of mine, it was the last book Zweig wrote and not only is a very gripping novella but also is very revealing of his thoughts at the time, the boat trip can be viewed as his trip to Brazil to run from the Nazis and the fear he felt from them is very well exposed in the book.
The house in which he died (Petrópolis, Brazil) has a big chess piece monument and is open for visits and i hope to someday go there (even though I lam from Brazil it's too far from where I live).
Oh that's interesting! I live a couple of hours from Petrópolis.
My biggest gripe with Into the Wild book/movie is that McCandless, despite being a complete an utter idiot, has been made into an icon for some sections of the hiking community, the bus became a pilgrimage location, and after 15 people have needed rescuing and 2 have died trying to reach it they had to airlift the bus out of the area to prevent further tragedy.
You may enjoy Trail of the Lost by Andrea Lankford, which a retired search and rescue LEO joins the search for 3 missing hikers from the PCT, their families, the hiking communities, the different search methods attempted.
As Austrian I have to say that picking Stefan Zweig was a perfect move. Most of us here have to read it in school - lucky us.
Hab einige Zweig in der Schule gelesen und gar nicht gemocht, aber so wie sie drüber spricht, überlege ich, ob ich's nicht nochmal versuchen sollte xD
(tbh könnte Merphy mich aber dazu bringen all meine Schulbücher noch einmal zu lesen, egal wie wenig ich sie mochte)
I‘m from Germany and we had to read the „Schachnovelle“ at school. I remember LOVING it! I‘m so glad you loved it too, it made me really emotional hearing you talk about it, because, yess, the story is so gripping and well written! And I loved the ending, it was sad and fascinating at the same time. Thanks for reading it!
I never thought I'd see someone on the Internet talk about the Chess Story. I read that in school in German to analyse it and I found it so fascinating, it was probably one of the few things I read in school that I liked. So happy that you were equally captured!
I read Into the Wild some 15 years ago when I was 19 or 20 and I remember loving it. But also I remember the narrative as putting us in Chris' head. The "wow" that it is presenting his story with, to me, was how he saw his journey. Also, I remember it not being about survival at all, but about rejecting society and rejecting modernity, including humanity's survival skills that are part of civilisation. He wanted to reject it all, live as a wild person, not a tourist, not a prepared survivalist. This is thr story of his want, it makes us understand his mindset, not the author's (I think) and it is the story of how it went for him.
Not sure how I would feel about it if I read it today but this memories feel pretty well preserved, considering how long ago I read it 😂 I was much impressed at the time
you are absolutely right! it's not about survival at all but about rejecting society.
to read the book and think it is about survival is a nonsense.
@@tinustinus571 she explicitly said it was not about survival
@@Juan_Jose_Miraballes so, I've just listened to her review another time. maybe you should do so.
she did not get the point of the book at all. it's not about survival or any tool or any skill the character should have to survive. so, she say at 6:55 "it's not a survival story but a tragedy" because the character does not survive, he dies.
but before that she speaks of it as a survival story. and after 6:55 she speaks again about survival and how senseless the character is, and about tools and skills etc.
which is absolutely not the point of the book!!!
so please, you should consider listening to the review again, watching the movie before reading the book might be a good hint as well. the movie is a very good one, and maybe it makes clear that it is not about survival. I read the book after having watched the movie. I loved the movie, I did not remember how much I liked the book (to be honest).
Absolutely gorgeous cut scenes & very handsome cat behind you
That inspired me to go and admire the beautiful cat!
Just read Chess last month and like you I loved it! Zweig succeeds in commenting on so much, from WWII, politics, culture, class, to intelligence, the nature of the mind and how far it can go before breaking, etc. And the running thread through all this are mind games. Brilliant!
we read Chess in school (i am german) and it probably was my favorite book we ever read in school. so intense and gripping and emotional
“Sorry I am being so intense…” 😂Gotta read that one.
I read Into the Wild in college and loved it deeply. For me, Krakauer doesn't have a tone of admiration; it's a tone of understanding. I strongly related at the time with the throughline of rejecting conventional value systems and challenging ourselves by our own self-constructed rites of passage. I think a lot of people - men especially - can look at McCandless's arrogant, naive, and misguided decisions and then reflect on our own bad decisions that were motivated by reckless youth, romanticized notions of adventure, and an inexplicable need to push outside our boundaries of safety. If you can relate to that, you'll probably love the book. If you can't, you won't.
absolutely right! there are definitely readers that do not get the meaning of the story and the character! which is for other readers totally obvious.
I usually don't read classics, but you got me interested in Chess Story! A Drop of Venom sounds great, too
It's insane to me that you mentioned that chess book because a friend just yesterday showed me clips from them performing in the play for it. I already wanted to read it, but now I need to. Glad it's short but omg. It sounds like you'd like more, but was the right size. Thanks for sharing this Merphy!
Did you like Chess Story? To me, that just sounds like a recommendation for March Comes in Like a Lion is warranted.
Both the manga and the anime. It's about Shogi (Japanese "Chess", for the lack of a better term) and so much more.
Along with Violet Evergarden, it's one of the best drama ever written for manga/anime.
I second that, Murphy if you like characters overcoming emotional struggles March comes in like a Lion is the manga for you
Just started getting into your vlogs and aside from the fact that I'm finding listening to your enthusiasm for talking about books to be genuinely therapeutic after a stressful day of work, I'm literally two vlogs in and you've already given me an amazing gift idea for my wife. She'll love chess story! And much like you, her knowledge of chess is super limited.
Just wanted to say thank you for that.
Thank you for this video! I actually paused your gush to read this book because I was so interested. It's soooo damn good. A new favourite for sure and one I want to dissect properly some time.
I read the book, watched the movie and wrote a paper on McCandless in college and I'll admit. He was a little too naïve to the point where it was really upsetting for me to sympathize with him. Absolutely it was tragic. Absolutely he didn't deserve to die. To me it comes across as a story of folly and the repercussions that come from it. What's even more crazy is that his situation wasn't completely hopeless! He had multiple lifelines to help him out of this situation, he wasn't as far as one would think from civilization, If I recall, he was about a quarter mile away from a canal that would have placed him back on a trail where it would be less than a days walk back to the nearest town.
Idk man. I disliked his story as a whole not just the book.
NYRB Classics is such a treasure trove of great books. Zweig is an interesting and sad figure. The Grand Budapest Hotel is loosely based on some of his works.
Chess story is brilliant and gripping.
I got it along with Blind owl (a banned novel, which I also highly suggest)
You have me hooked on chess story! Im going to add it to my read list this year. Also, If you want / love Medusa stories I highly highly suggest Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes. I read it on a whim this past year and it blew me away! I didn't know how much I needed sass in my Greek retellings.
Great video... Absolutely enjoyed it ❤❤❤
I think what I felt from Into the Wild, book and movie, was that it was a guy with mental health issues looking for some peace in nature. I remember very strongly from the last frame of the movie there was a picture of the real chris mcandless that he took himself in Alaska and he looked genuinely happy and at peace, and as someone who also struggles with mental health issues, it made me tear up. Sure he went about wilderness survival the wrong way but I didn't think that's what he was really trying to do, I think he wanted to live in nature, not against it. Just saying what resonated with me and maybe why it resonated for others. The movie did show that more than the book though
Chess Story (or just Chess, as my copy was titled) is such a great novella! I really want to reread it soon, I definitely feel like there’s more to get from it.
In one way, I read it as a metaphor for the different ways of being creative - someone who can create in their imagination with no tools, versus someone who can do it with tools at hand but can’t use their imagination unaided. But yeah, it’s so much more than that. A fascinating book, I really enjoyed hearing you gush about it.
You win. Chess Story has been added to the wish list :D
Chess story sounds Soo cool! I gotta pick that on up at some point
So many people tried to duplicate Chris' story that they had to airlift the bus to an undisclosed location after 17 people tried to get to it. Two of those people died and the other 15 had to be rescued. They said that many viewed him as a modern day Thoreau. No doubt this view had everything to do with his portrayal in the book and subsequent movie. I also just bought the audio version of The Royal Game A Chess Story as they did not have it at my library. I would have never have picked it up without your passionate review. I would not have not heard of this author without you either. Thank you very much!!
I love Into the Wild. It had a huge impact on me when I was a teenager. I read it a long time ago, but this was my takeaway: I think Chris McCandless was a tragic story and he was definitely senseless. But I think his frustrations with his family and the society he lives in drive him to the senselessness. He was really young when he did this and I think there is some nobility in his seeking authenticity, adventure, and something real from the world even if he did not go about it in the best way; especially since his family seemed abusive and materialistic and he seemed to be looking for a different way through life than that. Id have to read it again to see if maybe Jon Krakauer is putting his decisions on a pedestal too much.
PS Love the interlude shots!
Never apologize for being intense 😂 we love it ❤
I read Into the Wild in a high school class. When it came time for all of us to share our enjoyment rating of the book, I was the only one to give it a 2/10. I felt like I was missing something. But hearing you talk about it, I'm like YES, that's what I was feeling!
Awesome as always thanks ❤ I always get good recommendations from you and I really appreciate it!
Not sure if you know that there is also a movie for Into the Wild. It's possible that, like me, most people watched the movie first and read the book after, heightening the enjoyment.
I have heard that the movie is much better than the book, so I could definitely see that!
@@merphynapierreviewsin the movie there is nothing from the childhood part it starts from the college years and it’s a love story.
it's my case, I watched the movie first which is great, and then the book.
I had to read Into the Wild for high school English. I believe it was in grade 10. I had the same feelings about the book as you. It really seems like they could have chosen something better for mandatory reading.
This week I have been reading The Crusades by Geoffrey Hindley, A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles, and I'm rereading Throne of Glass via listening to the audio book on Libby.
I loved the reading vlog especially your cat in the background. 🐍♟️😻
I loved the movie Into the Wild, so I picked up a book. Books are always better right? Well not this one. I dnf it half way trough, because of all reasons that you mentioned here. The movie was more focused on the way Chris impacts the life's of others that he encounters on he's path, which was more appealing for me.
The cover art of Drop of Venom is just beautiful!!
The scenery looks really nice, I liked the moss and the stream!
Chess Story kinda reminds me of Queen’s gambit a bit. A big part of it is that there are chess competitions. Queen’s gambit is also more stuff going on
In a lot of cases I read the books you present before you do if it’s not a new release and I end up agreeing with you if it’s good or bad even if not on the same reasons. So here I take your word in the case of Into the Wild I don’t put on my tbr we have enough books to read. I read Chess Story. Again, I agree. Great video. 👏
That into the wilds summary reminded me of a movie I caught in hbo, early 2010s, and it looks like it was an adaptation of the book. I can understand why a book would be even worse.
The Chees story book sounds fascinating. I used to be quite a fan of chess but have minimal talent (or discipline) to actually play it 😀
I once saw a documentary called AMERICAN GAMBIT about 6 young American chess players getting the opportunity to play the world champion of the time, Garry Kasparov. It was cool to see their excitement, and how different their personalities were in challenging a legend.
Kitty! Also, yes, books.
Top notch interludes with the music choices. Oof 👌🏼
Yay the cat's in scene again !
Ok,as someone who loves playing chess I want that Chess story book now.
I definetly recommend you Queen's Gambit netflix tv show.It's really good :D
A Drop Of Venom. I have not read it, not sure I will, but but it is refreshing to hear that a sexual assault is handled well in story rather than just fall under a women in refrigerators trope.
The best thing about into the wild is the soundtrack of the movie adaptation.
I totally agree! Into the Wild is not a book of self discovery, it a a story of a narcissist and the fallout he leaves behind.
for me this interpretation is a total nonsense.
Had to read Into the wild in high school. the teacher wanted us to admire Chris Mccandless for his adventure, but i just found him to be really really unhinged and delusional. I HATED this book so much
I love the cover of a drop of venom!
We read Into the Wild in school and, as an Alaskan, I couldn't get past how dumb what he did was.
Jon Krakauer did start out as a journalist and I enjoy his journalistic style in his books, but I can see how that wouldn't appeal to others. The biggest thing I took away from Into the Wild was that it was a cautionary tale. Krakauer did a good job of making me understand why this kid THOUGHT he could just run into the wilderness and survive with no prep. I didn't feel like it was glorifying his quest. Saying it should have been a blog post or a youtube video doesn't really make sense given that the book was published in 1996.
Damn Merphy just spoiled us with that chess book. I thought these were spoiler free 😂 ive known about the book for yeats without spoilers but now i know the man has suffered 😂
The soundtrack for Into the Wild by Eddie Vedder is A M A Z I N G!!!
Awwww kitty!
Zweig is one of my favorite authors you should check out his other works, most of his stories are impactful
Oh no, into the wild is one of my favorite books ever 😂
Amazing vlog ❤❤❤
Da spricht Merphy einmal über Zweig, plötzlich besteht die Hälfte der Kommentare aus Österreicher*innen/Deutschen 😂
Your b-roll makes me want to move to Kentucky❤
Is there any update on Reapers Gale? Are you still reading it?
I am still reading it! I know it’s taken me forever with this one but there will be an update soon!
She is still reading it. Last update we got in the Patron Server is she had finished Pt 2 (she went back and started from the beginning again)
Whoops, sorry to repeat what Merphy had already told you 😂
1. So this is not pertinent to this particular vlog, but I just wanted to let you know that your constant gushing led me to buy Lies of Locke Lamora. I'm so far behind on my reading that I don't know when I'm going to get to it, but it's now officially on my Kindle and calling to me.
2. Kitteh!
I haven't read "Chess story" but after this video I will probably do. I suggest you to check "The Luneburg Variation" by Paolo Maurensig, also with chess at the centre of a story of fierce antagonism between two champions, a jew and a nazi, who confront each other through many years.
I am in complete agreement with you about Into the Wild. I have read it twice in the last 20 years, and I absolutely despise it. Yes, I think the story is sad, but what is sadder is that the way it was written inspired a generation of reckless fools to imitate McCandless; so many people have foolishly ignored rational thought to trek to the infamous bus only to then put rescue personnel in harm’s way to save them that Alaskan officials had to spend a fortune to move the bus to a secret location. Glorifying behavior that is borderline psychotic is a type of indiscreet endangerment that should never be viewed as good literature. This book is garbage, and I’ve never met anyone who liked it without having seriously unhealthy perspectives on the wilderness.
On Drop of Venom, I feel the motif of making villains "relatable" or "not really bad" or "being turned by trauma from the allegedly good" tiresome and cliche. I also don't understand why the author felt the need to adapt and twist Greek mythos to Indian, when India has such an untapped rich and expansive mythos of its own.
And if you like this one small Austrian book, here is another one. „The Master of the Day of Judgement“ by Leo Perutz. It is anther hours read that will be with you for years to come
Chess Story was so good! Author backstory is sad though.
Just watched your summary on the three body problem. Loved it! Please give seveneves (by Neil Stephenson) a try!
Chess story sounds like any number of very dramatic sports anime, lol
Have you read Into Thin Air by Krakauer? Everest disaster book. Wondering if you'd have the same problem of admiring tone vs. tragic story.
I read Into the Wild when I was a teen and absolutely hated it. It seemed like the author was trying to come up with any excuse possible other than Chris simply wasn’t prepared. I ended up reading an article by a master forager who debunked the claims about him poisoning himself with seeds or plants. Also if I remember correctly the author totally switched it up like halfway through and talked about his own experience mountaineering and I was like, what the heck does this have to do with Chris? It just seemed like an excuse to talk about himself.
🧡📚🧡📚🧡📚🧡
I watched the movie Into the Wild, and it just pissed me off. It seemed to be glorifying someone who made arrogant, reckless decisions and *predictably* died.
Any chance that you could ever read a Witcher book?
In fall of last year I actually started reading because of you and picked up the Witcher books, because my partner was currently playing the games, and its going great so far! Would love to hear what you think of the books, at least the first two, that are a little bit more fairy tale-ish.
I had to read Into the Wild for school and absolutely hated it. The kid seemed to think he was so smart about everything without any background. Not just the wilderness but his rejection of society and refusal to obey ANY rules without thinking about WHY they exist and what would happen in a world without rules. And normally I am the rebellious of my friends and family. Maybe I hated it so much because it reminds me of my younger self and how entitled I was. None of my friends felt the same and some even liked it. Six years later, I didn’t know I needed my heart mended knowing that I wasn’t alone in my frustration ❤️🩹😂
I saw the film for Into the Wild years ago and I have never understood why it was posed as being about a man who so amazing and brave when in reality (I’m sorry for those who disagree) he’s very foolish. I wish the truth had turned out differently for him but unfortunately it didn’t. Also I have never heard of Chess Story but it sounds interesting!
it's funny because it's like telling a drug addict that drugs are bad, or telling a smoker that smoking is bad.
the character might be foolish or not, that's not the point of the book. the guy takes risks, he is aware of it.
The cat doesn’t have its own channel because….?
The author of Into The Wild had to have added stuff to inflat his page count. It's the only reasonable answer for it.
I watched the movie for Into the Wild and I liked it because it explored the emotional trauma McCandless carried with him. If the book isn't doing that, it's not doing anything. The worst possibility is that the trauma was invented for the movie, but I doubt this is the case. His trip in the wild, (Alaska, right?) is the least important part of what he does. Some of the people he met along the way, especially the parental figures, are the stories that make the movie... three and a half out of five stars? You're not missing much from missing the movie, I just assumed the book was better.
Looking forward to your final review. That book may get the axe from the TBR.
There's a movie based on Into The Wild
Gaara is a in a Drop of Venom?
I don’t think into the wild is about “against all odds”, I feel like for him it was about “I have no interest in living in society, where I am stuck doing the same thing everyday, seeing the same sunsets, etc.” it’s like a rejection of materialism. Into thin air is interesting becuase the author was actually there at the incident of the Everest catastrophe of 1997.
the drop of venom cover looks like JoJo art.
Into the wild is also a movie, which at least had some beautiful cinematography. But yeah, I kept thinking about how selfish and stupid the guy was.
What did I do wrong to not get such an awesome Aunt?
I value your reviews and would appreciate your thoughts on "MANIPULATED LIVES: Unmasking Social Media's Shadow" by Harmander Singh. Considering your expertise, your insights would help me decide if it's worth a read., please review this underrated book😊
I read Into the wild and very much did not like tone of admiration like you said. The book also underplays this young man's Obvious and significant mental illness. I do not think this book would have been written today in the same way. We really do know and understand so much more about neurodivergence. It was not admirable or inspirational or an exploration of deeper meaning. It was sad that this young man with mental illness struck out into solitude and died of mental illness.
You put this better than I could. That *exactly* how I felt reading the book. A tragety, yes. But the admiration and romanization of what caused that tragedy was not what I think the book needed
So, if i put myself through psychological torture I can be a pro in chess
My comics recommendation for you are still ignored so I am instead recommending comics for your kids that my 7 yo daughter enjoyed tremendously this month : a beautiful and thoughtful and funny fantasy series : Lightfall
And an hilarious absurdist action spy series : InvestiGATORS
And also : Zita the space girl
MAybe after you love those with the kids you'll trust me on Fables ! :o)
I strongly did not enjoy Into The Wild for the same reasons you discussed
Into the wild infuriates me. It has become an anti capitalist anti society anthem and the guy pretty much dies immediately because he didn’t prepare anything.
The author of the non-fiction seems like he was determined to romanticize the essentially stupid actions of a delusional young man.
I grew up in interior Alaska and had an awkward moment with a professor in college in the Lower 48 when he asked me if I had read Into the Wild. I started ranting about how insanely stupid it was and then he told me it was a wonderful story about the struggle to find yourself. Awkward.
IMO, you mis-read Into the Wild. You missed the empathy and compassion, and decided to view Chris as an idiot.
Merphy doesn't understand the temptation of most men when they see an open field or woods to just walk off into the distance and survive off the land even if we have 0 abilities lol. We'd start crying 2 minutes in then die in 5 but it's still there 😂
oh trust me, I love adventure too and would love a book that focused more on that - my complaint was more in the narrative structure and the way the narrative painted things. But maybe it's just a me problem 😂
Chess Story sounds intriguing ~ need to add it to my TBR
@@merphynapierreviews I wasn't talking about adventure I was talking about our completely unearned arrogance to think we could survive in the wild lol
But that's the thing the story didn't frame it as the complete arrogance or stupidity but a thing to admire. The desire to just go into the wild unprepared without listening to anyone who's advising you may exist but it's not a thing to be romanticised like some thing only men desire of that should be given any amount of admiration.
Very on point for Into the Wild. My econ teacher in college used to tell his classes on the first day, "Nature wants you dead. Wealth is the ability to insulate yourself from nature." Between this and the Grizzly Man, well, sad ends come for those who are desperate to go out to nature without common sense.
I will say this. The score for Into the Wild is incredible. It's Eddie Vedder doing all of it. My favorite thing that Into the Wild got us.
ua-cam.com/video/ABsslEoL0-c/v-deo.htmlsi=gCJpd9OcQFGuvFRZ
I am always suprised when people do not want read about sexual assult does not reading about it in the book make it less terrible ? Or does it desappear from real world ? I think its selfish not wanting to read about it when people experience it in real life
The vast majority of people I know who don't want to read about SA, are people who have experienced SA in their own lives and it's triggering for them. I think it's harsh to say it's selfish of people to not want to read it when you don't know their circumstances.
@@Lynn-CA that understandable but refusing to read about it because its uncomfortable is not ofcourse its should be uncomfortable showing ugliness of it to people who does not have experience of it in order to try and make them understend and be more compasionate is the purpose in the first place
@@გიორგიგელაძე-მ4ნ The point I'm making is you shouldn't be going around calling people selfish because they don't want to read it. You don't know their personal lives and circumstances.
SA is very common and the people you're pointing the finger at and insulting are most likely the ones that have been SA'd at some point in their lives.
Keep in mind that the person you’re calling selfish is a child that didn’t feel ready to read about this topic in a detailed and first hand manor. It’s good for kids to know their boundaries and lean on adults to help them navegate these painful topics. That’s not trying to erase them from the world and literature, it’s just a kid trying to gauge what they’re ready for