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)

Excellent narration

Bernadette did an excellent job for this book. She changed her voice to represent characters and put emotion at every line. The story is inspiring and I take off my hat for Cheryl, the queen of PCT :) we need more strong woman like her at the world! :)

Fabulous

I've hesitated to watching the movie or reading the book. I was extremely and fabulously surprised. This has made me realise that I need to step out of my comfort zone.

Great Narration!

That rare scenario where I saw the movie, read the book, then also bout an audio. What Reese did for the film, NARRATION CREDIT HERE does for the audible. Well done. I believed you.

Great adventure

I was a little skeptical about reading this since the movie was out at the same time but I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's details make you feel as if you are hiking and having an adventure too.

Love love

Love love the book , very inspirational. Very detail, but stick to the story. Sometime I would get lost in the details, then listing to them again.

Great story

Love stories about life's journey...cheryl's story is one of pain and of finding her true self. Would love to make that journey myself!

great!

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

simply, wonderfully inspiring

What was one of the most memorable moments of Wild?

selecting of the name "Strayed"

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

Cheryl - Dunne did a great job

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

finding yourself on the PCT

Any additional comments?

made me feel better about myself

Adventure!

This is one wild ride :) I loved this book and her story. I began listening while out on my runs. Within the first two hours she had me doubled over sobbing. There is raw emotion and heartache that is so tangible it hurts. I loved her story and I am very happy she shared it. Thank you for this book.

Wild is an understatement

Great book! Read it driving up to Oregon, going through some of the same places she did. Not sure how she did it with so little training.

A fantastic journey

A wonderful book very well written Loved it funny exciting and worth every minute. One of my favorites for the year