I didn’t actually become interested in reading Wild until I saw the terrific movie adaptation. That and a few excellent reviews changed my mind about reading it. There was just something about the author having changed her name to Cheryl Strayed that annoyed me, to be honest, and was keeping me away from the book.
If you have seen the movie, it is amazingly similar to the book, only changing the sequence of some events and leaving a few things out.
This memoir is about Cheryl Strayed’s attempt to get her life back on track by hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Southern California to near Portland, Oregon. After Cheryl’s mother’s death from cancer several years before, her life fell apart. She became promiscuous and eventually began using heroin. After she and her husband divorced, she decided to hike the trail alone in an attempt to return to her true self.
Although Cheryl views herself as an outdoorsy girl, she soon finds that she is unprepared for the rigors of the journey. Her pack is so heavy that she can barely lift it, her boots uncomfortable, she herself not in condition and not understanding that such an endeavor is painful even for an experienced hiker. She originally planned to hike about 20 miles a day but finds herself only making 6 to 8 miles, less at the beginning.
This memoir is vividly written and quite harrowing at times as it follows Strayed’s journey. She encounters snow and landslides, wild animals, friendly as well as scary people, and her own truth. Wild is an interesting journey into the wild and into self-awareness.
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whatmeread 
I didn’t really like this book so I have been avoiding the movie! I think the book has value, but it just bugged me.
I liked it better than I thought I would. The movie maybe plays up the drug and sex stuff a little more than the book actually did, so that’s not good. But I thought the movie was actually pretty good. Maybe because you see more of her mother and what a great person she was.
I loved this book, but, I think more for the hiking experience than anything else. Despite all the pain she was in, it actually made me want to go hiking!
Good to know the movie is well-done!
Did you go hiking? Where?
No. Just dreaming of someday… 🙂
I am about 3/4 through this book and loving it, but can’t really pinpoint why. I’m not that interested in hiking or anything like that – just really engaged in the story!
I think it’s very engaging. I am not interested in hiking either!