Wild

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

By: Cheryl Strayed

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 13 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

Wild is a powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an 1100-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe - and built her back up again.

At 22, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State - and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone.

Strayed faced down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.

©2012 Cheryl Strayed (P)2012 Random House

Critic reviews

“No one can write like Cheryl Strayed. Wild is one of the most unflinching and emotionally honest books I've read in a long time. It is about forgiveness and grief, bravery and hope. It is unforgettable.” (Ann Hood, author of The Knitting Circle)

“While reading Cheryl Strayed’s stunning book about her arduous solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail, I kept asking myself - what would I do if I were stripped bare of everything - money, job, community, even family and love? Thoreau once said, ‘In wildness is the preservation of the world.’ For Strayed, it is clear that in wildness was the preservation of her soul. She reminds us, in her lyrical and courageous memoir Wild, of what it means to be fully alive, even in the face of catastrophe, physical and psychic hardship, and loss." (Mira Bartók, author of The Memory Palace)

“Cheryl Strayed can sure tell a story. In Wild, she describes her journey from despair to transcendence with honesty, humor, and heart-cracking poignancy. This is a great book.” (Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia and Seeking Peace)

Inspirational and compelling adventure

This story is so wonderful that I will be now buying a hard copy just to read again and savor the author's gorgeous writing and snippets of wisdom throughout.

Exciting

I enjoyed the book very much then watched the movie. It makes me want to hike the trail.
Read it.

Wild for sure!

Great writing, vivid and spectacular, appreciated the grief and loss. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story.

Vicarious Adventure!

What did you love best about Wild?

The author used a vivid descriptive style that let me share in her day to day experiences on the Pacific Coast Trail.

What other book might you compare Wild to and why?

A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson

Mixed thoughts

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, it was worth the time, most of the book. Biggest negative was the excessive dwelling on the subjects relationship with her mother, which sometimes bordered on neurotic (just my opinion). I was more interested in the nature descriptions, the mental and physical effort that it took to accomplish the walk.

Has Wild turned you off from other books in this genre?

No

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not. I did enjoy her voice and pace.

Do you think Wild needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No, if it's more wallowing in her past relationships. If there is something new and fresh, then yes.

little overhyped but good

it isn't going to change your life or open your eyes to a new way of thinking. it is a well written walk through a woman's life, makes you feel content in the telling and inspired to perhaps take a plunge into a realistic adventure.

Wonderful Story of Finding Yourself

I really enjoyed this story of a young woman knowing it was time to center herself and get back on track. It was an inspiring tale and definitely makes you wish you could take a break from life to see if you're strong enough to venture out on your own.

Great listen!

Well narrated fun adventure. The reader of this book made this. I would recommend this to all. Everyone dreams of doing a long thru hike, this might be the story that finally makes you do it!

Lost and Found in the Pacific Crest Trail

I'm not really much of a hiker but I found the story quite engaging. Whilst I could understand why the main character Cheryl Strayed went on this journey, which is to try to find her footing after having lost her way in life,
It was difficult to understand why any woman would want to place herself through the danger of hiking the trail alone.

As the main character said, she was for the most part very lucky. I guess the hardships endured enabled her to find her way in the end!

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!

I love the narration, I love the writing, I love the story... This has been my second time listening to this book and I was still very excited to hear it.