Helpful Score: 9
Excellently written and a well-told tale. While I am impressed with the author and her triumph over a dark period in her life, the emotional baggage she carried with her on her hike was over the top. I believe every word, but this is no light-hearted account of a thru-hike. It is heavy and deep and ultimately triumphant. But reader beware.
Dayna B. (DaynaAlyson) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 8
A lot of people I know like this book. Every time I told someone I was reading it, I got basically the same response, "Oh, I loved that book!" Everyone in my book club liked it. Most of my friends on Goodreads who have read it gave it 4 or more stars. So I tried, I REALLY tried to like this book, and while I didn't hate it, and even enjoyed it at times, I think it is an overrated memoir written by a self-absorbed woman who makes terrible decisions.
So, I don't think it is giving anything away to say that the book starts out and you learn that Cheryl's life has taken a sharp turn for the worse after her mom dies from cancer at the young age of 45. Super sad, of course, and you feel bad for her, of course. But at a certain point, and I'm not sure when that point was, I stopped feeling bad for her and started feeling like she was completely unsympathetic as a narrator and unrelatable as a person. It might have been when I learned she didn't do any real research before starting out on her trek and was going to whine the whole book about how much her shoes/backpack/wallet hurt. Or it might have been when I found out she lectured her brother about smoking pot while she was doing heroin! But it was probably when she cheated on her husband and explained it away by saying, "I could only be who it seemed I had to be." (Um, what? New Flash: No one HAS to cheat.)
So, yeah, the chick annoyed me. She made stupid decisions and then liked to brag about how, because she was a beautiful woman hiking solo on the trail, people would come to her rescue. Repack her backpack for her. Give her a place to sleep. Pick her up on the side of the road. Buy her a drink. Blah, blah. It got kind of boring.
I feel like at the beginning of the book, she has all these problems because she couldn't cope with her mother's death, like doing drugs and sleeping with strangers, and by the end of the book, even though she has changed on the outside with a toned and tanned body, on the inside she is still the same exact person. I mean, she sleeps with a virtual stranger within the last 50 pages of the book. Is that supposed to be empowering? I didn't really get it and I don't think she did either.
Which brings me to my final point. What the hell did she learn on the trail?? I couldn't figure it out. At the end she says she is enlightened, but I didn't get it. She says when she returned to the Bridge of the Gods fifteen years later, the meaning of her hike unfolded inside her, a secret finally revealed, but she doesn't really share the secret, at least not with me.
I give it 2 stars because Cheryl writes well enough that I wanted to find out what would happen to her, although the end is somewhat anti-climactic. My advice is to skip this one.
So, I don't think it is giving anything away to say that the book starts out and you learn that Cheryl's life has taken a sharp turn for the worse after her mom dies from cancer at the young age of 45. Super sad, of course, and you feel bad for her, of course. But at a certain point, and I'm not sure when that point was, I stopped feeling bad for her and started feeling like she was completely unsympathetic as a narrator and unrelatable as a person. It might have been when I learned she didn't do any real research before starting out on her trek and was going to whine the whole book about how much her shoes/backpack/wallet hurt. Or it might have been when I found out she lectured her brother about smoking pot while she was doing heroin! But it was probably when she cheated on her husband and explained it away by saying, "I could only be who it seemed I had to be." (Um, what? New Flash: No one HAS to cheat.)
So, yeah, the chick annoyed me. She made stupid decisions and then liked to brag about how, because she was a beautiful woman hiking solo on the trail, people would come to her rescue. Repack her backpack for her. Give her a place to sleep. Pick her up on the side of the road. Buy her a drink. Blah, blah. It got kind of boring.
I feel like at the beginning of the book, she has all these problems because she couldn't cope with her mother's death, like doing drugs and sleeping with strangers, and by the end of the book, even though she has changed on the outside with a toned and tanned body, on the inside she is still the same exact person. I mean, she sleeps with a virtual stranger within the last 50 pages of the book. Is that supposed to be empowering? I didn't really get it and I don't think she did either.
Which brings me to my final point. What the hell did she learn on the trail?? I couldn't figure it out. At the end she says she is enlightened, but I didn't get it. She says when she returned to the Bridge of the Gods fifteen years later, the meaning of her hike unfolded inside her, a secret finally revealed, but she doesn't really share the secret, at least not with me.
I give it 2 stars because Cheryl writes well enough that I wanted to find out what would happen to her, although the end is somewhat anti-climactic. My advice is to skip this one.
Terri K. (blondie1000) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Well written story that felt very earnest and forthcoming. Cheryl Strayed shared details of her life that I wouldn't have wanted to share but it was her openness about her past and the deep love she has for her mother that make me like her. I found Cheryl's courage motivational. The book did go on a bit too long for my taste. I wish there was the ability to give 1/2 stars as I would rate it a 3 1/2 star book.
Ramona M. (Grazona) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 119 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I had a hard time getting into this book in the beginning but once she got on the trail, I couldn't put it down. I'd go from thinking she was an idiot to loving her, then to a little bit of both! I've been through hard times and I can understand how she felt compelled to do the hike. Her writing is beautiful, her descriptions are vivid. The story flows well back and forth from present to past, to give the reader a better understanding of what led to Cheryl taking this journey. It's an emotional read but it left me feeling proud of her, not sorry for her like I thought I might. She's unprepared and beaten up by her journey but remains strong. I highly recommend this book but it's not for the faint at heart, as there are some pretty graphic descriptions.
Elisa N. (leesie) -
Helpful Score: 2
My bookclub loved it. It is a memoir and quite reflective. Strayed lost her mom, lost her way and decided to hike the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself. She weaves her destructive behavior pre-hike along with the stories about her mother and family with the hike itself. There are some difficult subjects which are glazed over, and some that are simply laid bare. It is really well written but not for everyone. She lost her mom at a young age (22) and without that anchor her life came undone. At 22 we are selfish and think we know more than everyone else. This shines through, she was a selfish person going through a lot of pain. Her decisions are not well thought out, she was actually quite lucky on the trail and in life.
If you don't mind a different perspective on life and loss and are not looking for or expecting a pure travel/trail book like A Walk in the Woods or Into Thin Air, then check it out.
If you don't mind a different perspective on life and loss and are not looking for or expecting a pure travel/trail book like A Walk in the Woods or Into Thin Air, then check it out.
Julissa L. (ta2kitty) -
Helpful Score: 2
This book was not a great piece of literature, and memoirs are not really my cup of tea, so I couldn't give it a 4 or 5. The writing is clear and engaging and I really admire the author for setting off on this adventure. She was not really prepared for what hiking the PCT would entail but she set out and completed her goal anyway. The author does become whiny at times and is not completely likeable as a person. However, I enjoyed reading about her trials and triumphs. It is an inspiration for anyone who has ever dreamed of doing something that seems nearly impossible. Quick, easy and enjoyable read.
Helpful Score: 1
I am reading it and I am not I am not enjoying it as I thought I should and would.
I will probably be in the minority since many have raved and highly rated this memoir. I am trying to convince myself to overlook the very things I find objectionable. The reveries of the past and the countless repetition of her mother's death and that book she keeps mentioning over and over has me rolling my eyes.
I don't lack empathy at all, I can relate to her sense of loss and mourning but the way it is being dealt with and perhaps the style of the writing has put me off.
I also don't appreciate the use of foul language too much or promiscuity, infidelity, drug addiction Lol! That's a lot.
I will probably be in the minority since many have raved and highly rated this memoir. I am trying to convince myself to overlook the very things I find objectionable. The reveries of the past and the countless repetition of her mother's death and that book she keeps mentioning over and over has me rolling my eyes.
I don't lack empathy at all, I can relate to her sense of loss and mourning but the way it is being dealt with and perhaps the style of the writing has put me off.
I also don't appreciate the use of foul language too much or promiscuity, infidelity, drug addiction Lol! That's a lot.
Helpful Score: 1
I knew when I first read the book jacket to wild by Cheryl Strayed that I'd love this story. It is a gripping adventure story of a young woman with a calling to ditch her messed-up life to backpack along the Pacific Crest Trail for three months. I think so much of her life's hardships were based on not having a loving father throughout her childhood. Ms. Strayed's background was so different from mine that I had a hard time relating to her until she started her hike. The story jumped around too much in time and place in the first few chapters; I wish it was more chronological. The detail and clarity she provided of her feelings along the journey was incredible though. I liked how honest she was and although she was always dirt poor and sometimes desperate, she did not resort to stealing. It was rewarding seeing how she changed into the person she was always meant to be by the end of the journey. I wonder how I would change if I backpacked in the wilderness for three months.
R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 1453 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is real! The author tells the story of how she deals with life which has socked her in the jaw. The death of her mother and divorce sends her rocking back on her heels. To find her center or simply to understand herself she decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. After all, how hard can it be? She's done some hiking so why not. Why not indeed? As she outfits herself for the trip she takes every bit of equipment recommended by the recreational stores and packs a pack. And, it's heavy! She can hardly lift it but this is only the beginning. One can laugh, sympathize and cheer the stubborn pride of this determined young woman. Cheryl tells her story with incredible honesty. I liked it.
Dedra C. (abookwanderer) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 43 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Wild is Cheryl Strayed's emotionally gripping account of survival through the devastating loss of her mother and the spontaneous and uninformed decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail through California and Oregon alone at the age of twenty-six. Strayed's tale is brazenly honest, highlighting the highs and lows of the decisions her grief led her to, the mistakes that shaped and molded who she became and led her on a path of healing. I identified with her love of books and words, admiring how she chose to describe things with clarity and precision. Oddly, I identified most with her aversion to math. She states, "I'd never had a mind for math. I simply couldn't hold the formulas and numbers in my head. It was logic that made little sense to me. In my perception, the world wasn't a graph or formula or an equation. It was a story." Wild is a beautiful memoir about the depths of grief and the journey of ascending to placidity.
Helpful Score: 1
Like every other book from Oprah's book club list, this book doesn't live up to the hype. A very compelling story that isn't told in a very compelling way. It's hard to empathize with the author who seems to self sabotage most of her life and overreact to the normal ups and downs that we all go through. My book club kept asking "Was there something else that happened causing her to breakdown?"
Maybe if it becomes a movie they'll tell the story better. Drags on at several points.
Maybe if it becomes a movie they'll tell the story better. Drags on at several points.
Lauren T. (littlegirl) -
I really enjoyed the way the author wove her personal/family history into the story of the hike. I also appreciated that she did not hold back details on her bad behavior, as I think it was important to understanding her on a deeper level and why she set off o the hike. I did, however, find the end a bit rushed. The details of the beginning and middle of the hike were great, but then all of a sudden, she arrived and summarized her life after the hike in about 2 pages. Perhaps there was nothing new to really report/unveil toward the end and if included it would have made the story too repetitive, but it seemed somewhat incongruous with the rest of the narrative. Im not sure this is going to make a very good movie, but Im interested to see how Reese Witherspoon does with it!
An OK read, but I found myself being frustrated by her stupidity and lack of common sense.
A brave soul Cheryl is! I plan to share this book with my niece is a few years older (14 now). I hope it might give her strength and encouragement to pursue whatever she desires and to plan ahead.
Michelle M. (jade19721) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 115 more book reviews
My heart really went out to Cheryl. Like her, I also lost my mother to lung cancer. The only difference is that I had 4 years to get used to the idea while she only had about a month before she lost her mom. My stepfather also died 2 months before my mom and I lost 2 very good friends a month and a half after my mom. It sucks and no one can really understand unless you have been through the same thing as well. People grieve in many different ways and it's painful to read the hateful things people have to say about her and what she did afterwards. No one is perfect. We have all done some pretty stupid things, myself included. The point is that we learn from our mistakes. We try and understand why we did the things we did and try and make sure that we don't put ourselves in that situation again. Personally I think Cheryl had a lot of balls to do what she did. I don't know many people who would have taken this 1100 mile trip by themselves like she did and then write a book telling her story and exposing everything she did to the world. Kudos to her!!
Honest and well written. Having hiked the Appalachian Trail as a solo female thru-hiker at the age of 19, I can relate to her experience, but she truly amazed me at her persistence in the face of her footwear and the weight of her pack. Also the PCT is so much more difficult and rocky than the Appalachian Trail in every regard. Kudos to this amazing young woman who is a true survivalist and a woman of great physical and mental strength! Great book!
Loved this! Brought me back to my own 20-something crazy adventures. And also made me want to hike the PCT!
June E. (junie) -
I couldn't put this book down and read it in one day. I thought it was mesmerizing (and the bad language didn't bother me at all as it did some of the reviewers!!) I walked the trail with her, felt her pain, my feet ached with hers......Great book!
Taryn C. (TarynC) -
Very disappointed with this book. I was expecting something much more interesting and inspiring. I felt that the author jumped into this experience with very little prep and took many chances that put her in unnecessary danger - especially as a novice doing this by herself. I did not feel that she was a particularly likeable character and after a while I got sick of hearing about her aches and pains and unwise decisions. I started to not care about her story and decided that it was time to stop wasting my time reading it. You may feel differently and it got many great reviews, so give it a try. Perhaps I was just not in the right frame of mind when I read the book, which sometimes occurs and then at a later date I enjoy it. However, I dont think that will happen with this story.
This book was not what I expected at all. I was hoping to read the adventures of an experienced female hiker but the book ended up being a young ill prepared woman who decides to hike a difficult trail without any training or hiking experience. The whole book details her own immoral lifestyle, poor decisions and trying to get over her disappointing childhood and death of her mother.
Julie S. (mermaidsmemo) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 12 more book reviews
Prior reading this novel, I was not sure what to expect but a book about how hard life can be at times. Upon completion, I can safely say this is a book that is a must read for those who are searching for the meaning(s) of life after enduring tough or seemingly impossible situations. I am a person who truly values solitary and this book is full of it, in a positive way; teaching you how to be alone without being lonely. Totally holistic.
I watched the movie first, because what can I say, I'm a movie person. After watching the movie, I wanted to read the book and it was a great idea. I love this book! It will be staying in my small collection of books for a long time. There were so many different details in the book than the movie (which I'm afraid happens often).
For the non-hiker, this book could get a bit repetitive and boring in parts, but if you're a hiker, you will want to devour every moment. I'm not a hiker, but found the concept of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail an interesting, occasionally fun, and all at the same time...miserable idea. Cheryl Strayed, in her 20's, seems to find herself along this trail after years of promiscuity, drug use, her mother's death, a divorce, and the scattering of what had once been a close family. She has a wanderlust that seems to only be cured by pain and at times agony. She doesn't seem to have any boundaries with her own body, and comes across reckless and immature. I guess we all were in our 20's. This is a great coming-of-age story for every young woman.
Kelli R. (kellilee) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 66 more book reviews
Although I have only spent one night in the woods with a backpack, I'm oh so happy I took this hike with Cheryl Strayed. Unlike some die hard backpackers that have criticized the book for fear that more inexperienced hikers will follow in the author's blistered footsteps, I really understood this memoir and her motivations. In some ways, I've lived a parallel life to Cheryl Strayed minus the 1100-mile hike. We were born the same year and we lost a parent the same year. The author lost her mother to lung cancer when her mother was 45; I lost my father to lung cancer when my father was 47. What followed those deaths for both of us was a pattern of self-destructive behavior that would last for several years. One morning at about the halfway point of listening to the audiobook and walking my dog at 5 a.m., I burst into tears and realized that I was reading one of the best books of 2012.
Alyssa F. (acrompton) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 12 more book reviews
I was not a fan of this book. I got about 3/4 of the way through and just could not finish it. To me, it was a little boring and dragged on. I think my expectations were very high based on what I heard about the movie (which I hear is very good.) I wish I liked this book! :(
It was a fun and inspiring read. I would recommend it to anyone interested in hiking, adventure or dealing with the loss of a loved one. It is a well written and honest memoir of a difficult journey, both physical and emotional.
Jessica K. (jckibling) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 9 more book reviews
Aside from the fact that this belongs in the fiction rather than non-fiction section, I only recommend reading it if you are looking for insight into the mind of a complete narcissist.
After losing her mother, the author loses her mind and cheats on her husband, uses drugs, gets pregnant, gets an abortion, murders a horse, eats cremated remains, and goes on hiking/hitchhiking adventure that she is extremely unprepared for.
After losing her mother, the author loses her mind and cheats on her husband, uses drugs, gets pregnant, gets an abortion, murders a horse, eats cremated remains, and goes on hiking/hitchhiking adventure that she is extremely unprepared for.
Leah G. (LeahG) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 320 more book reviews
This woman took an incredible journey and I felt like I sort of walked this trail along with her. Thank you Cheryl for sharing your experiences.
Ron C. (Hophead) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 285 more book reviews
A lovely book, fun, fast, life-affirming read. Highly recommended.
Friend loaned me this book--glad I didn't have to pay for it. It's a slim book (311 pages) which I read in less than a week. The author has some writing talent (if not, I would have probably given this one star). I was initially intrigued at the idea of the author hiking solo for three months on this 1000 mile trail. What apparently inspired Cheryl to undertake this was the death of her mother. Up to that point, Cheryl's life was a bit of a mess--while married to an apparently decent guy, she had a number of affairs and got into drugs (including shooting up heroine).
When Cheryl decided (rather impulsively it seems) to hike the PCT, I expected her journey would be one of self-discovery with an epiphany when the hike ended. Before the PCT, Cheryl was not a hiker. Although she was undertaking a three-month, 1000 mile journey, Cheryl was not well prepared. She spent months saving money and making multiple trips to REI to buy a lot of supplies (many of which she didn't need). Aside from wearing her hiking boots around a bit to break them in, she did nothing else to prepare for the hike. Cheryl never even tried putting her packed backpack on and hiking around with it to get used to that--heck, she didn't even pack her supplies into her backpack until she arrived at her starting point on the PCT.
The trek was done in the mid 90s (1995, I believe). She gave little thought to the dangers she might encounter as a woman hiking alone. Cheryl had a couple occasions that were scary. She had opportunities to travel with others she met on the trail but she always declined--her reasoning was she needed to hike the trail alone (sometimes she would meet up with these folks on the trail and would camp overnight with them but would continue to hike alone).
I hadn't gotten too far into the story when I realized I found Cheryl to be a rather unlikeable character. She seemed self-absorbed and was annoyed that her siblings and step-dad didn't react the same way as Cheryl when Cheryl's mother lay dying in the hospital and even after mom's death. Throughout the book, Cheryl would reflect back on certain periods of her life. She grew up in a dysfunctional family--her dad was physically and emotionally abusive to Cheryl's mom, who would take the kids and leave only to return and leave and return multiple times until she finally left for good. Mom openly smoked pot in front of her children, justifying doing so by saying it was a plant so it was OK. When step-dad entered the pic, they moved to some acreage in north-central MN (I grew up further north in NE MN) and lived a hippie lifestyle in a house that had no plumbing or electric. They had a bunch of animals, including at least one horse that Cheryl's mom had bought.
After mom's death, step-dad didn't hang around long--he found a girlfriend whom he eventually married. The homestead was basically abandoned but the animals were left there. Some ran off, some died, and a neighbor tried to care for the remaining animals. When Cheryl made a trip to the family home, she was appalled at how the horse looked--she was old (31) and very thin. Cheryl claimed she didn't have the money to have the horse euthanized by a vet (although she never contacted a vet to see what it would cost and if she could make payments). So, after consulting with her grandfather over the phone, Cheryl and her brother decided to shoot the horse. If this story is true (and I started having doubts midway through the book as to how much of her hike and even previous life events were real or figments of her imagination), I question why she felt it necessary to include the story about the horse's demise. As a long-time horse owner (who has had two horses euthanized and lost another horse to a tornado), I found it very disturbing.
Another thing that made Cheryl unlikeable was that she made frequent references to how hikers (especially the men) were in awe of how heavy her pack was and seemed impressed that she could actually carry it. One experienced hiker finally went through her pack to determine what things she didn't need (which was about half the items) so her load was lightened considerably. We learned as the hiker was going through Cheryl's pack that Cheryl had included a package of 12 condoms! Really!? If I were going on a three-month, 1000 mile backpacking trip, condoms wouldn't be a necessity. The hiker told her she didn't need the condoms but Cheryl kept one.
Cheryl acknowlged that being out on the trail and often going a week or two without bathing made her look and smell pretty bad. Yet, if you can believe her telling, she was still irrestible to many men whom she met on her trek because she was told numerous times about how "pretty" she was. In fact, she did have a one-night (or it might have been a weekend) fling with a bartender she met and although she did not have the condom with her, she threw caution to the wind.
In the Author's Note at the beginning of the book, Cheryl states that she used personal journals and memories of events when writing the book. The book is copyrighted 2012, 17 years after the hike. She supposedly carried writing materials (notebooks, etc.) in her pack but refused to part with those even when the experienced hiker got rid of her unneeded things. Yet, she never mentions journaling during her hike. She frequently talks about reading at the end of the day (she carried books with her) after her tent was set up, she'd eaten, and was going to sleep. Yet, she never mentioned journaling during the hike.
I don't thinrk Cheryl is an inspiration--she managed to survive the PCT IN SPITE of herself. Her book should be a tutorial on how NOT to do a long hike.
When Cheryl decided (rather impulsively it seems) to hike the PCT, I expected her journey would be one of self-discovery with an epiphany when the hike ended. Before the PCT, Cheryl was not a hiker. Although she was undertaking a three-month, 1000 mile journey, Cheryl was not well prepared. She spent months saving money and making multiple trips to REI to buy a lot of supplies (many of which she didn't need). Aside from wearing her hiking boots around a bit to break them in, she did nothing else to prepare for the hike. Cheryl never even tried putting her packed backpack on and hiking around with it to get used to that--heck, she didn't even pack her supplies into her backpack until she arrived at her starting point on the PCT.
The trek was done in the mid 90s (1995, I believe). She gave little thought to the dangers she might encounter as a woman hiking alone. Cheryl had a couple occasions that were scary. She had opportunities to travel with others she met on the trail but she always declined--her reasoning was she needed to hike the trail alone (sometimes she would meet up with these folks on the trail and would camp overnight with them but would continue to hike alone).
I hadn't gotten too far into the story when I realized I found Cheryl to be a rather unlikeable character. She seemed self-absorbed and was annoyed that her siblings and step-dad didn't react the same way as Cheryl when Cheryl's mother lay dying in the hospital and even after mom's death. Throughout the book, Cheryl would reflect back on certain periods of her life. She grew up in a dysfunctional family--her dad was physically and emotionally abusive to Cheryl's mom, who would take the kids and leave only to return and leave and return multiple times until she finally left for good. Mom openly smoked pot in front of her children, justifying doing so by saying it was a plant so it was OK. When step-dad entered the pic, they moved to some acreage in north-central MN (I grew up further north in NE MN) and lived a hippie lifestyle in a house that had no plumbing or electric. They had a bunch of animals, including at least one horse that Cheryl's mom had bought.
After mom's death, step-dad didn't hang around long--he found a girlfriend whom he eventually married. The homestead was basically abandoned but the animals were left there. Some ran off, some died, and a neighbor tried to care for the remaining animals. When Cheryl made a trip to the family home, she was appalled at how the horse looked--she was old (31) and very thin. Cheryl claimed she didn't have the money to have the horse euthanized by a vet (although she never contacted a vet to see what it would cost and if she could make payments). So, after consulting with her grandfather over the phone, Cheryl and her brother decided to shoot the horse. If this story is true (and I started having doubts midway through the book as to how much of her hike and even previous life events were real or figments of her imagination), I question why she felt it necessary to include the story about the horse's demise. As a long-time horse owner (who has had two horses euthanized and lost another horse to a tornado), I found it very disturbing.
Another thing that made Cheryl unlikeable was that she made frequent references to how hikers (especially the men) were in awe of how heavy her pack was and seemed impressed that she could actually carry it. One experienced hiker finally went through her pack to determine what things she didn't need (which was about half the items) so her load was lightened considerably. We learned as the hiker was going through Cheryl's pack that Cheryl had included a package of 12 condoms! Really!? If I were going on a three-month, 1000 mile backpacking trip, condoms wouldn't be a necessity. The hiker told her she didn't need the condoms but Cheryl kept one.
Cheryl acknowlged that being out on the trail and often going a week or two without bathing made her look and smell pretty bad. Yet, if you can believe her telling, she was still irrestible to many men whom she met on her trek because she was told numerous times about how "pretty" she was. In fact, she did have a one-night (or it might have been a weekend) fling with a bartender she met and although she did not have the condom with her, she threw caution to the wind.
In the Author's Note at the beginning of the book, Cheryl states that she used personal journals and memories of events when writing the book. The book is copyrighted 2012, 17 years after the hike. She supposedly carried writing materials (notebooks, etc.) in her pack but refused to part with those even when the experienced hiker got rid of her unneeded things. Yet, she never mentions journaling during her hike. She frequently talks about reading at the end of the day (she carried books with her) after her tent was set up, she'd eaten, and was going to sleep. Yet, she never mentioned journaling during the hike.
I don't thinrk Cheryl is an inspiration--she managed to survive the PCT IN SPITE of herself. Her book should be a tutorial on how NOT to do a long hike.
I thought this was a wonderful book. I saw the movie prior to reading it so I definitely felt like I could picture in my mind what was happening as I went along, which is neither a pro nor a con. I loved hearing about Cheryl's journey, the ups and downs. It was very raw and real. I guess I have a thing for books about hiking, as I also loved Bill Bryson's "A Walk in the Woods". "Wild" was well-written and straight from the heart. I commend her courage in taking that physical journey as well as her courage in feeling her way through an emotionally devastating time in her life.
Joe Z. (zelman) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 215 more book reviews
The story of a woman finding herself after her mother passes by hiking the PCT. I really enjoyed 80% of this book. Having lived in the pacific northwest and yet never experiencing the PCT, I loved reading about Cheryl's adventures. It got a little whoa is me, but definitely inspiring, and most definitely makes you appreciate and fall back in love with nature.
Thoroughly enjoyable read!
Wonderful read. Honest, pure, motivational. I felt like I was hiking with Cheryl on the PCT.
Margaret M. (margaretlee) -
Loved listening to this audio book! The narrator did a great job relating the journey of Cheryl Strayed from her beginnings as a novice trail hiker to her completion of the Pacific Crest Trail, with many adventures, both physical and emotional, in between. Only a few sections seem too revelatory of her past sexual and drug-related escapades. Other than that I recommend it to memoir lovers. (I hear that Reese Witherspoon has optioned the film rights and will pay Cheryl! Should be great!)
Sharon J. (sharonkaye) reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 32 more book reviews
I couldn't put this book down. She has an amazing story. A little too much info when it comes to her sexual escapades but I do understand that this is part of her story. Amazing woman. I could never have done what she did.What courage!
Sarahbeth A. (buttercrumpets) -
i liked this book. i enjoy books about people's travel experiences and this didn't disappoint! she is very candid about herself and that is refreshing. she details her experiences and doesn't apologize for who she is and is not. if you like travel experiences you will definitely enjoy this book.
Writer does a great job giving a lot of details and really creating an image through her text. The book is a lot about her personal journey and at time the character is a bit aggravating but I suppose that goes along with the story line. Much better than the movie.
Carol R. (hansmrs) - reviewed Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail on + 132 more book reviews
Very dissappointed by the writing of authors true account of hike. The language was horrible & I feel she could have told her story without all the
F word. She was wild, but do you really have to be subjected to that kind of writing?Also the loss of her mother; she goes on & on about that. Just didn't care for this book. Our book club read it & I am afraid some of the women were mostly offended by the language. Spoils what could have been a good read.
F word. She was wild, but do you really have to be subjected to that kind of writing?Also the loss of her mother; she goes on & on about that. Just didn't care for this book. Our book club read it & I am afraid some of the women were mostly offended by the language. Spoils what could have been a good read.
John O. (buzzby) -
(sniff), I don't think starting at Tehachapi Pass (4000 feet) qualifies as "braving the desert heat", she should have hiked the part south of that (really the only part I've hiked recently) if she wants to complain about heat.
