REVIEW: Beyond the Trees
Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic by Adam Shoalts is an amazing, adventurous true story that makes the heart yearn for desolate, wild places. Most significant is how any human can make a trip of this magnitude all alone. I constantly feared for Adam’s safety and sanity.
I can relate to the magnificence of the wilderness, but I enjoy it with a few more conveniences. This book enthused me with its awareness to be in tune with my own surroundings. Although I was on the fringe of a state forest in a tiny camper with running water and electricity while reading this book, I envied Adam his fearlessness and physical ability. His words made me yearn for solitude and oneness with nature.
Not that I don’t feel that way when I camp. It’s why I go. But I very avidly lived through his experiences with a wistful heart.
It’s hard to believe that 288 pages of repetitive landscape and animal sightings can be so fascinating, but I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure. Each bend in a river, or lap of the waves when he reaches shore held me captive.
As with any adventure, there’s danger – real or imagined. Nothing worthwhile is done without fear. I lived it with Adam, hoping he survived and flourished because of his experiences.
After reading this book, I can easily imagine a week or two of wilderness trekking. But months all alone through treacherous terrain? Not even. I think the hardest part would be to be without my camera. Even though I’m sure I’d never forget an experience like this, I’d miss the photos to jog my memory of the small details we inevitably forget. The view of pristine, untouched by man, wildlife and scenery had to make all Adam’s sacrifices worth it.
In the end, the book made me smile. Make sure you read it cover-to-cover, including the acknowledgements.
Beyond the Trees is perfect for every nature enthusiast, with the call of the wild to enhance your arm-chair adventure. Recommended!
Review by Dorine, courtesy of TheZestQuest.com. A digital advanced copy was provided by the publisher for an honest review. Thanks in advance for following links and sharing this review on social media.
Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic by Adam Shoalts
Category: Travel Adventure, non-fiction
Publisher: Allen Lane (October 1, 2019)
ISBN: 978-0735236837
Rated 5 out of 5, Recommend
