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)

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.

Bound to move you

A captivating story with a narration that does complete justice.
I am a big fan of Tiny beautiful things,listening to this book makes me respect her advice even more.
Narration brought the book to life.

amazing

inspirational and helpful if you want to hike the PCT. must read book. one of my favorite.

Wonderful story, very inspiring!

This book got me pumped on backpacking alone! I felt every emotion while listening to this book so amazing. Now I'm excited to see the movie!

A Wild Journey.

This is one of the most emotional books, a roller coaster of tears and smiles so rewarding and a Great adventure.

Soul food

An absolutely phenomenal story — truly, it is nourishment for the soul, and fantastically written. A real escape that also makes you think.

loved this book on multiple levels

terrific story about nature, and a young woman's journey through life. Normally not my favorite genre but I found the author's honesty touching and authentic. By the end of the book I was truly grateful that she had written this. The book also worked very well for me in the audio format.