The romanticization is in the portrayal not the reality of it. Without Jon Krakauer, no one would know McCandless' name or story, because McCandless wasn't out

The romanticization is in the portrayal not the reality of it. Without Jon Krakauer, no one would know McCandless' name or story, because McCandless wasn't out to glorify himself or bring fame, money, etc. to himself. He really was just some kid looking to escape what he saw as a life of oppression. He wasn't asking to be looked upon as an model, and he most likely would have acted differently if he knew his life would be scrutinized by strangers decades after.