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)

Entertaining

As a grandmother of 3 young boys and having raised my family in the great outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing etc, I found this story amazing she actually survived! There are a lot of scary things in the wild. Preparation is imperative! She was ill prepared but preserved and made it through. Humans are the scariest things in the forest! I applaud her effort and her healing (including her feet).

Great listen!

I really enjoyed this book. There was something about the descriptions of the landscape and mountains, the trees and the weather, the experience, that called to me. I kept thinking, "I want to do this!" Glad I listened.

Find yourself with Wild

If ever there was a memoir to read about self discovery and the long journey to get there, Wild is it. You’ll envision yourself walking right beside the author as she journeys the Pacific Crest Trail in the wake of her mother’s death, and not only does she find her purpose but also looks back to her past. I loved the movie starring Reese Witherspoon however listening to the book fully rounds out the Wild story.

A very brave girl.

She was either very brave or very stupid.
I think luck had a lot to do with it. A colleague of mine went hiking in Yosemite national park in April 2000 and has never been seen again.
I admire her strength and can really appreciate why she done it.
A verygood engaging read.

i didn't want it to end

As she was descending to the bridge of the gods, I was sad to end her journey it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing Cheryl. Your journey became mine in some way.

Perfect book for the in between epic novel reading

If you could sum up Wild in three words, what would they be?

Learned. Something. New.

Any additional comments?

If you love true stories about the human condition and like to learn something when you read, this book is a must read. It is a relatively quick read that kept the reader engaged and wanting to read more. I also judge a book by the following standard: Do I want it to keep going or am I ready for it to end? I wanted this book to tell more about Cheryl's life.

Beautiful Story

I loved this book from start to finish. Beautifully told story. At times I felt myself on my own soul- finding journey with her. Great read!

Excellent

An honest, accessible novel that casts a woman with past mistakes as capable and awe-inspiring, who even through her weaknesses finds strength.

I could relate to this one!

I loved it because I have been struggling to find myself. I felt so alone. I could identify with many parts of this book and it is comforting to know others have been there too.

Wild: From Lost to Found

What did you love best about Wild?

The bravery of the confessions, and the bravery of the trip.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild?

The shooting of Lady- absolutely WRENCHING

Which character – as performed by Bernadette Dunne – was your favorite?

Narrator

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Shocked at the stories involving death- shooting Lady, eating her mother's bones - but very appreciative of the boldness of telling.

Any additional comments?

If people can have something that watches over them, this girl certainly had it.