BOOK REVIEW | BOOK RECOMMENDATION | HIKING
When You Find My Body: The Disappearance of Geraldine Largay on the Appalachian Trail by D. Dauphinee
“When You Find My Body” explores the mysterious disappearance of Geraldine “Inchworm” Largay while hiking the Appalachian Trail
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Introduction
Through meticulous research and firsthand accounts, the book examines her disappearance and the possible circumstances surrounding Largay’s vanishing, offering insights into the challenges of wilderness survival and the resilience of the human spirit.
Although much of the story is speculation, Dauphinee helps the reader understand what must have been going through Geraldine’s mind after getting lost in the Maine woods.
Summary
The book chronicles the gripping account of Geraldine “Gerry or Inchworm” Largay, an experienced hiker who embarked on a “mostly” solo journey along the Appalachian Trail in 2013.
Although she started with a hiking partner, and her husband followed in their car to provide support, her hiking partner had a family emergency and left her alone on the trail.
“She was simple in her intentions; she embraced the challenge of seeing the thing through.”―D. Dauphinee.
Despite her extensive preparation, Largay unexpectedly went missing, sparking an extensive search and rescue effort that lasted over two years.
Drawing from interviews, journal entries, and investigative reports, D. Dauphinee meticulously reconstructs the events leading up to Largay’s disappearance and the subsequent efforts to uncover the truth.
Through passionate storytelling and careful analysis, the book examines the complexities of wilderness survival, human error, and the enduring allure of the Appalachian Trail.
One thing about reviewing non-fiction is that there are no spoilers. The reader might not have known Geraldine died, but it’s public knowledge that can’t be hidden.
This is an excerpt from the letter she left.
“Nobody wants to die…you fight. You just fight for all you’re worth. When you find my body, please call my husband George and my daughter Kerry. It will be the greatest kindness for them to know that I am dead and where you found me — no matter how many years from now.”
Narration
The story is narrated from a third-person perspective, providing an objective lens through which to explore Largay’s journey and the efforts to locate her.
Setting
The book is set primarily on the Appalachian Trail, a rugged and expansive wilderness stretching nearly 2200 miles across the eastern United States from Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Central Maine. The unforgiving terrain and unpredictable weather conditions play a significant role in shaping the events of the narrative, highlighting the challenges faced by hikers navigating the trail.
“After more than two weeks of being lost, Gerry would have been aware that help may not come. She mentally prepared herself. She policed her campsite. One day, she cut up her credit card and buried the pieces, preventing anyone from finding it and potentially causing George problems.”―D. Dauphinee.
Theme
The overarching theme of “When You Find My Body” centers on resilience and the human capacity to endure in the face of adversity. Through Largay’s harrowing ordeal and the tireless search efforts of volunteers and officials, the book underscores the strength of the human spirit and the bonds of community forged in times of crisis.
“We all are born with the will to live. Rarely do people lose it. Nobody wants to die…you fight. You just fight for all you’re worth.”―D. Dauphinee.
Genre
“When You Find My Body” is a non-fiction, a compelling blend of investigative journalism and storytelling. It shares similarities with other works in the genre, such as Jon Krakauer’s “Into the Wild,” which also explores themes of wilderness survival and self-discovery and “Lost on a Mountain in Maine,” which I also read and reviewed.
“Lost on a Mountain in Maine” chronicles how a 12-year-old boy gets separated from the Boy Scout troop he was hiking with on Mount Katahdin in Baxter State Park, Maine. He would wander in the wilderness for nine days.
About the Author
D. Dauphinee ‘s biography states:
“Dee is an award-winning American author of novels, biographies, and essays. His writing has gained a following with readers interested in the out-of-doors, history, travel, human interest, fly fishing, and the construction of essays.
Born with wanderlust in Bangor, Maine, once old enough, he hit the road west with a guitar, one duffle bag, a light nylon parka, and (according to the journal from that year) eighty-seven dollars.
A photographer, a farmer, a fishing & mountaineering guide, a semi-pro wide receiver, and trained as a surgical first-assistant, for more than twenty years, he was ‘…in the right places at the right times.’ He found whatever devices he could to travel the world. Photography and mountaineering were the keys.”
Plot
The book follows Geraldine Largay’s journey along the Appalachian Trail, from her initial preparations to her eventual disappearance. As search efforts unfold and new evidence emerges, readers are drawn into a compelling narrative that explores the complexities of wilderness survival and the enduring mystery surrounding Largay’s fate.
Book Recommendation
“When You Find My Body” is a must-read for outdoor enthusiasts, true crime aficionados, and anyone intrigued by tales of survival and resilience. While primarily fitting for adult readers, the book’s gripping narrative and universal theme make it acceptable for a wide audience.
“This book tells the story of events preceding Geraldine Largay’s vanishing in July 2013, while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine, what caused her to go astray, and the massive search and rescue operation that followed. Her disappearance sparked the largest lost person search in Maine history, which culminated in her being presumed dead. She was never again seen alive. The author was one of the hundreds of volunteers who searched for her.” — Amazon blurb.
Of the 1,030 verified Amazon buyers who rated the book, 90% gave it four or five stars, with an overall rating of 4.6 stars.
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Steve Dalton is a retired US Army First Sergeant with a degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. I am a Friend of Medium who reads a lot, and I tell my friends about what I’ve read. Also, a Top Writer in Bitcoin, Business, Investing, Nutrition, Travel, Fiction, Transportation, VR, NFL, Design, Creativity, and Short Story.