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Jackie's Reviews > Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail
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I finished this book a couple of days ago, and have not been able to get it out of my mind. I was happily coming to Goodreads to give my glowing review, but was pretty annoyed at a few of the recent reviews, so I wanted to address that first. The bravery and honesty that flowed from those pages touched me deep into my soul, and to see her described as dimwitted and self absorbed is insulting to the author and to those of us who were moved by her story. If you want to read about a well planned trip by a prepared hiker who has no issues, go and buy a guide book about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I'm sure you'll find it very informative.
'Wild' is a beautifully descriptive story about loss, pain, nearly giving up, and pushing on. I felt like I was right there next to Cheryl, my pack so heavy, my feet bleeding and sore, filthy, hungry and lonely. I couldn't believe she kept going, but also would have been crushed if she hadn't. I loved every moment of this book and am just blown away by the author's audacity and courage. I will probably never be able to go three months in the wild, but I sure loved living vicariously through Cheryl in her 'Wild.'
'Wild' is a beautifully descriptive story about loss, pain, nearly giving up, and pushing on. I felt like I was right there next to Cheryl, my pack so heavy, my feet bleeding and sore, filthy, hungry and lonely. I couldn't believe she kept going, but also would have been crushed if she hadn't. I loved every moment of this book and am just blown away by the author's audacity and courage. I will probably never be able to go three months in the wild, but I sure loved living vicariously through Cheryl in her 'Wild.'
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Reading Progress
September 12, 2012
– Shelved
Started Reading
September 15, 2012
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Finished Reading
November 6, 2012
– Shelved as:
nonfiction
January 16, 2013
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 237 (237 new)
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Kathleen
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Jan 12, 2013 09:29PM
I am in your camp completely.
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I am so in your camp too. Nicely said.
Wholeheartedly agree.
I agree with you! I could not believe some of the comments!
I agree with you 100% . I just started reading this book last night (has been on my list since it came out) and went 93 pages within 2 hours. I could not believe some of the comments written by other readers..and was actually pretty upset by quite a few of them. Death is something that none of us can escape but we all handle it differently as well. I for one have an extremely hard time dealing with that part of life so I can understand the devastating heartbreak she felt and the things she did afterward. I still have much to read but I applaud this woman for her courage and tenacity.
Right on. Thanks for stating what I feel too.
I hate when people make assumptions on grief and call her self absorbed... I lost my dad and guess what? Hiking actually saved me from going mad at the time. And having just read Cheryl's memoir made me feel full of hope and understood. Like you, I was a bit pissed of with some of the comments.
I'm only about a third of the way into this book but so far I'm blown away by how much I can relate to what she went through after her mother died and I too found it upsetting (and shocking since it all made sense to me) to see people who clearly don't get it be so critical and dismissive. Thanks for addressing it!
Well said, Jackie. while reading "Wild" I was only interrupted by my inspiration to write and a phone call from a dear friend. Strayed's honesty and responsibility for her actions as well as her baring of her joy, pain and hairy legs are fantastic in a time when everywhere you turn people are airbrushing themselves inside and out.
Totally agree. Resisted this book at first after reading self-indulgent memoirs like 'lit' and 'the glass castle.' But 'wild' is is heart - wrenching and real. No way could I have ever hiked in her boots.
I appreciate your comments. I, too, feel it was brave of this author to put it all right on the page. I found it commendable that she knew she had to experience this test to try to make sense of her life.
Completely agree! Thank you :)
I wanted to slurp this book up in one sitting. I found it compelling, suspenseful and totally honest. She's not like me in so many ways but that's not what I need from a memoir. Nice review, thanks.
Thank you! I totally agree with you. I don't understand the criticisms she's received on here. I thought the book was an honest account of life on the trail, warts and all. She was ill-prepared in many ways but she finished through sheer determination! How can someone berate her for that?? I can only assume the people complaining about these aspects of the book are the sort of people who are comfortable-stay-at-home-in-the-same-town-they-grew-up-in sort of people who would never do something like this anyway!
Yep, setting up camp too. I'm reading it currently and I love it. I'm reading it slowly so that it doesn't end.
Thank you! Thank you!
I completely agree! I finished this book a couple weeks ago and I'm still talking about it!
You're absolutely right - this book is incredible. The complainers should read more non-fiction.
You don't know what it's like to lose your mother at 20 years old. I do and I thought this book was true and inspirational. That kind of loss is like being in the middle of category 5 hurricane that you can't escape from. Kudos to Cheryl Strayed for making it out in one piece.
Way to go! I completely agree with what you've said 100%. :)
I just finished this book. I too have been annoyed and honestly, downright appalled at some of the negative reviews. People are, of course, entitled to their opinions, dissenting or otherwise, but sometimes they are just plain wrong. Your review took the words right out of my mouth. I hope I can leave my own review at a later date as right how I'm still too invested.
I'm on page 119 and the book keeps getting better. Am I the only guy who agrees with your review?
Gosh, I hope not, but it does look like the ladies dig it! My husband actually read it first and loved it, so I'm sure it's been well received by both sexes...
I couldn't agree more with you. I actually just started this book, and her honesty actually encourages me. People deal with grief in different types of ways, I just hate how people are running her down.
Yes! Exactly. It amazes me how many people seem to think trying to find your happiness makes you selfish.
Or that writing about your poor choices and how you struggled with them in such naive ways makes you weak and self indulgent. I honestly think that some of these negative reviewers really couldn't put the book down and move on because it made them feel so deeply smug and superior.
Exactly. I enjoyed her story and laughed because hey, I'd be just like her if I made that journey; from a too heavy pack, wrong size boots, to her constant questioning. I lost my mom at 23, I'm 45 now, and even those parts of the book made me realize things I've been holding onto. I don't understand negative reviews. This person had this experience and she wrote it down, how many others can say the same? It was HER experience, not yours to criticize. Enjoy it, and take from it what you can, as with any book you read.
I guess some hike to put a stamp in their books, while others to find themselves. I am the latter and just started reading. Like you, I am only 75 pages in, but the time has flown by and I want to keep reading. I came in knowing what the book is about. Although I caution people to be prepared for such a trek, the wild is viscous in many ways and people do die. I am excited to see how she grows in her journey.
Well I will be reading this book for college. does anyone know the message that it has to deliver? Or what may be the reason for our teacher choosing this book of all books ?
I'm surprised it's being used in a college course. I thought it was a ripping yarn. I read it for fun. It does get heavy at times but overall it was inspirational. It made me want to attempt a big, difficult task like Cheryl Strayed did.
Delvon, perhaps the message would be about finding your own path. Cheryl was told many times that she was crazy or wouldn't be able to do something but she ignored everyone else and did it anyway. Another message might be about forgiveness: forgiving mistake of others and your own mistakes. I found the book very inspiring.
Agree 100%. Thanks for setting the record straight.
Catherine, well said.
Great review. I read this over the course of a few hours, just couldn't put it down.
Amen! Agree with you whole heartedly!
I loved this book!! I was so inspired, I have since done an over-night hike! 2 days hiking and every part of me hurt, Cheryl did 3months!
Seriously, it upsets me greatly when people are calling her self-absorbed
I found Cheryl's account refreshing, she isn't trying to be cool like many of the PCT bloggers are (though I enjoy those too). As an enthusiastic but irregular and less hardcore hiker, I loved her moments of feeling like an idiot, so much more honest than some accounts I've read. This book had the perfect mix of memoir vs adventure for me, I love it.
The only parts I didn't like was the cancer description that make me remember what happened to my grandma and a whole bunch of family. Another part was the poor horse I just didn't like the descriptive writing at those parts but so far I very much like this book I very much recommend this book.
HUZZAH AND HERE HERE! Well said.
I so appreciate your review and agree completely. I don't think some people can even begin to understand the depth of despair or grief associated with that kind of loss and what that type of emotion can do to one's sanity.
I am only 19% done with this book but so far I love it. I loss my Mother when I was 19 so I can relate to her feelings and her attempts to numb the pain through sex and drugs. Though my mistakes were much less dangerous then hers. I can also relate to feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for a long hike. Though luckily I was with a group more experienced than I was. So, so far so good for the book. I will see how I feel by the end. ~ Update: I am at the 59% point and still enjoying the book and finding it relevant.
totally agree. Felt like i was on the journey also reading this book :-)
