Becoming Odyssa

Adventures on the Appalachian Trail

De: Jennifer Pharr Davis

Narrado por: Jennifer Pharr Davis

After graduating from college, Jennifer isn't sure what she wants to do with her life. She is drawn to the Appalachian Trail, a 2,175-mile footpath that stretches from Georgia to Maine. Though her friends and family think she's crazy, she sets out alone to hike the trail, hoping it will give her time to think about what she wants to do next. The next four months are the most physically and emotionally challenging of her life. She quickly discovers that thru-hiking is harder than she had imagined: coping with blisters and aching shoulders from the 30-pound pack she carries; sleeping on the hard wooden floors of trail shelters; hiking through endless torrents of rain and even a blizzard.

With every step she takes, Jennifer transitions from an over-confident college graduate to a student of the trail, braving situations she never imagined before her thru-hike. The trail is full of unexpected kindness, generosity, and humor. And when tragedy strikes, she learns that she can depend on other people to help her in times of need.

©2010 Jennifer Pharr Davis (P)2020 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Her story, her voice

It’s hard to imagine so many odd things can happen to one person while hiking the AT. Many young women may have given up but Odyssa didn’t. She pushed on despite the hardships. It’s great to hear her tell this story.

A Heroine’s Journey -

This book stays with me as few others have. The open-road search for a Self that began with engagement in the natural world turned and twisted and broke my heart as the author’s journey unfolded. Beautifully read by the author.

Odyssa love

Omg where to start. She is a great writer and reader. She makes you want to go take a hike! Even if you are not a huge hiker this is a great read.

enjoyable perspective of thru hiking the AT

Overall, I going Jennifer's story of her thru hike to be interesting and informative. Looking at other reviews, she gets some flack for sounding judgmental and I did react a little to her comments about people above the Mason Dixon line which seemed to imply none are Christians (which made me laugh). That aside, I thought her story was an interesting one. Personally, I love hiking and wish I could drop everything for a few months and hike the AT, but for now I live vicariously through the stories if others!

Jennifer = The Goat

amazing story, I wish she would have turned around and hiked back. I wasn't ready for the story to end

An Inspiring Story

Loved this book! What a great story of this young ladies experience on her first thru hike on the Application Trail. I learned several things about hiking- practical things and social things. I loved her stories about herself as well as the people that she met along the trail. I admire her strength to stick with it even through adversity.

As a side note from another review, I have also read Wild, this book as well as the main character are completely different- only sharing the common theme of thru hiking . Although I enjoyed both books, this one by far is my favorite.

My favorite quote:
“One of my favorite things about the trail is that you don’t see your face. I mean, I guess you can see it in the reflection of the water, but there are no mirrors, no vanities, and no places to check yourself out. I used to think that people perceived me based on how I looked, but now that I don’t see my face, I feel like people perceive me by how I treat them—that is, by what I say to them and how well I listen. Now I feel beautiful when I make other people smile.”

I just started her newest book: The Pursuit of Endurance and am loving it also.
The only other thing I want to add is Jennifer reads a bit slow for my ears. I enjoy listening at the 1.2 speed.

Awesome book!

I loved every moment of her personal story. She shares funny, scary, embarrassing, happy, and sad details of her 2200 mile journey. Very emotional and interesting. This books gives you a look into her life on the trail and who she was at that young age. Easy listen.

Good adventure memoir with a great twist at the end!

The author narrates and it’s ok in the beginning. She gets more comfortable and is performing like a pro by the end.

Great book...introspective

This was a great book about life and learning on the AP. I enjoyed her narration as well. I am also glad she provided the "rest of the story" .

Great true story of a woman who hikes solo on the Appalachian Trail

I love reading true story books about hiking the AT. Each is a bit different. It’s a great story of grit, faith, both funny and moving moments. An easy read!