Solitude: Seeking Wisdom in Extremes: a Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness by Robert Kull

Solitude: A Year Alone in the Patagonia Wilderness by Robert Kull is a memoir that recounts the author's year-long solo journey in the remote wilderness of Patagonia, Argentina. Seeking to escape the distractions of modern life, Kull immerses himself in the rugged, isolated environment to find personal growth and self-discovery.

The book chronicles his daily life in solitude, including the challenges of survival, his emotional struggles, and the deep introspection that the isolation prompts. Kull faces physical hardships such as harsh weather, food scarcity, and the difficulty of maintaining his cabin, but these trials also lead him to a greater understanding of himself. As he spends more time alone in nature, he reflects on human existence, the value of solitude, and the spiritual insights that arise from living in such an extreme environment.

Kull writes about the internal transformation he undergoes during the year, examining his fears, doubts, and desires, while also embracing the peace and beauty that solitude brings. The book is an exploration of the psychological and emotional effects of extended isolation and the lessons that come from living in harmony with nature.

This book was very hit or miss with our group, our most polarizing to date. The premise is that Robert Kull lives in solitude, specifically to examine the concept of solitude for his PhD dissertation. So, the book operates as a journal, and everyday the author records what happened to him out in the wilderness. In doing so, there is a lack of story arc with an antagonist (unless it's himself), climax, or resolution. Kull is a perfectionist, often very hard on himself through this journey. He struggles with the definition of solitude and the right way of experiencing it, claiming that even journaling for a future person to read or thinking about conversations with other people does not count as being in solitude.

For our group, we naturally discussed solitude and our own experiences being alone, answering questions like:

1. Do humans need solitude, and why? What drives people into solitude?

2. How has our experience with solitude (as a population) changed over time? Is this different than loneliness?

3. Why do people typically go into solitude to face their demons?

4. And, on the topic of enlightenment (a frequent topic of Robert's journal), can you gain enlightenment by seeking it? Is there such thing as an enlightened person, or is it just an enlightened activity?

   
   

While the book was thought-provoking and profound, Kull was unlikeable for many of us, exhibiting violent behavior and anger towards his cat. His reflections and admissions of narcissistic rage were still admirable (it's hard to self-actualize and admit personal fault). However, the book was just difficult for many of us to complete, with most not reading or finishing it. Overall book ratings varied from 0 to 7.

Group mean rating: 4.3/10