Every book I read leads to the opportunity to open my head and mind. Open itself to possibilities, the emotions of others and to what lies within myself. While I tend to review books during my once a month recap with Steph and Jana I felt that Wild by Cheryl Strayed deserved a separate post because of what it brought out of me. Much like Lance Armstrong’s book It’s Not About The Bike led me to triathlons, I think this book is leading me to more long distance hiking.
Goodreads: At twenty-two, 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. With no experience or training, driven only by blind will, she would hike more than a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State — and she would do it alone.
Told with suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wildpowerfully captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.
In the book Cheryl discusses her journey of being lost and then found on the Pacific Crest Trails also known as the PCT. Just four years after her mother’s lost battle with cancer and her short lived romance with a man named Joe, a heroin addict. Cheryl herself admits to doing heroin with him and feeling out of control. She admits to being promiscuous in order to not have to feel. With all this being said she is human, she is flawed and she sets out on the trail in order to find herself again, heal, and grieve her mother.
While I wasn’t impressed with the writing at times, I was expecting a little more storytelling and maybe a little more soul searching but I was deeply impressed with the trek and journey itself. To hike over 1100 miles over the course of 3 months, losing 6 toenails and carrying a backpack she could barely get an inch off the ground. The skin on her hips and shoulders being rubbed raw from the pack, not being able to shower for days on end, encountering all sorts of wildlife including rattlesnakes, and mountain lions is impressive.
I like that she pushed through and persevered, when some of the men cut the trip short. She could have easily have done the same but she pushed forward. She described a hole in her heart that was left from her mother’s death and that feeling is something I can relate to.
Without going into details I have felt similar in the past, maybe because of my childhood or things that happened to me outside of my control that left me feeling lost. I like the idea of challenging myself to push deep and overcome. I am challenging myself to hike as many of the 50 over 4k mountains of New Hampshire since I can’t take 3 months off from work. These are a little more manageable, and I can tackle them on the weekend. Roughly they would take about 4-6 hours each, depending on my speed.
So like I said, books have a way of speaking to you, at where you are in your life. It may not speak to you in the same way but I am an outdoors person and I love a story of perseverance. So in that way I connected with the journey, and that is why I will always be a reader.
Glad you enjoyed this book. It sounds like an incredible story. I want to see the movie!
Yes, I want to see the movie now, though it seems to be limited screenings now.
this book also stayed with me for a while and after, i began looking up the PCT and thinking if i could do that as well (doubt it, since i can’t even go camping locally for more than 2 nights LOL). however, that doesn’t mean you cant do mini-hikes! totally YES on the mini-hikes. i wish we had mountains that we could hike but they’re all on the west coast 🙁
Right?! I mean 3 months!! I like camping but after a week I want to shower and a bed. I am all about the day trekking. I don’t know if I could live that far away from mountains.
This book stayed with me too. There were scenes that were so raw and heartbreaking, but her journey was transformative. It had me wondering about my own journey…what I could do with this one life I have. Thought provoking, for sure.
Yes, you could tell how much she hurt and was destroyed. Totally motivating.
So awesome that you connected so much with this book and it left such an impact on you!!! Do you think you’ll go see the movie now? I love your challenge to yourself! xo, Biana
I was hoping to go just after I finished but it seems to be limited now, mostly likely will have to wait till it comes out on Redbox. 🙁 I really want to see it though.
Amazing what a profound impact a book can have! This book hasn’t been on my list but maybe I’ll reconsider. I’m glad you found as way to fulfill your desire to do more hiking.
I think even if you are not a hiker you can be moved by her desire to be better, and to grieve her mother on her own terms. Following a path that is not easy. I love to hike but they don’t normally take more than 2 hours so this will be a good challenge.
Shirley MacClaine wrote a book that chronicled her spiritual walk – The El Camino. That fascinated me!
I really do not want you to go on a long hike like that alone. I just don’t!!!
Enjoyed reading your thoughts on the book.
Have a day that makes you happy!
Love, SMD’s Momma
I will have to check that out. I promise to be safe and in a cell range to keep people aware that I am okay. 🙂
I have to admit this book has never really appealed to me- I’m just not a very big nature person so I didn’t see myself caring for the storyline, but this is the first review that I’ve read that makes me think I might be surprised and like it more than I think. So glad you found something that not only spoke to you, but inspired you– reading can be such a wonderful thing like that.
I think even if you are not a hiker or nature person you can take away something from reading this book. I think it is more so about finding something that challenges you, and pushing through when it breaks you down. Finding your own way to grieve and working through it. It also shows that you are stronger than you think you are which is always a good message.
love this post girl. while i am NOT a hiker and that does not sound appealing to me (snakes?! lions?! eep!) i totally agree about books speaking to you and opening your mind to new things – its amazing 🙂
That is awesome to hear! It really was a moving story and a strong female lead character. Hope you like it!
i read that book in january i think and had no idea i would be relating to it a few months later. i definitely have a hole and am looking forward to feel whole again. it will come.
It will come Elle. My heart breaks for you. I hope you find your own way to heal, so that it hurts a little bit less. It will come, be strong.
This is what books are supposed to do and I love that you gave it a separate post! I just don’t think I could personally push myself to do something that would cause me to lose a toenail. THat’s one of the things that scares me about training for a marathon or something.
It really needed to stand alone. Yeah, I didn’t like that part either but I guess it was because her shoes were too small. Though I am sure blisters and raw feet are the norm on those kind of long hikes. Sometimes those bumps and bruises though, are the reminders needed to let you know you are alive.
How awesome! I love when someone else inspires us so much. I’m glad you’ll get out of your comfort zone and push to achieve this. I know you’ll excel. I’ll be rooting you on from PA!!
The people around us always have the chance to inspire us either positive or negative. I tend to get too comfortable with myself so this will be a great challenge. I might text you a time or two on the trails! 😉
Books that inspire me are my favorite kind! I have this on my to read list, I’m not big into hiking but I like to read stories where women challenge themselves and persevere.
It has hiking in it but it is more about the journey if that makes sense. It really showed her strength.
Sounds like a pretty cool storyline that I would enjoy if I actually applied myself to reading. I really wish I was a reader sometimes but I think Im too A.D.D at times.
I usually read in 15-20 minute increments so it’s possible, it just takes longer.
Oh I am so glad to have a review of this. I wanted to see the movie but it seems to have gone to far away from me now. I will wait for Netflix. The story intrigues me because I feel so freaking lost all the time and I wish I could do something drastic like this to just force myself to step out of my comfort zone and let go of some shit you know? Have you seen the movie yet?
Make sure you carry some weapons or mace on your hikes!!! I worry about these things:)
It should be out soon on Redbox and Netflix. I can’t wait to see the movie after watching clips tonight. I waiting to read the book so I missed it in theatre too. I think when you push yourself physically, you open up so much emotionally. I think it is worth the journey. I will be sure to carry mace and a whistle.
I really love that you were so inspired with this book! While I am not an outdoors person….in the least bit…I can certainly relate to feeling a little lost and needing something to fill a hole. I wish you the best of luck with your journey!
I think the journey and pushing yourself is more important than it being outdoors. It’s so hard to find that thing that will help but it is important to search for it. Thank you so much.
Now i NEED to read this. You made me want to read about the trek and journey. I love when a book inspires and when even in spite of poor writing you feel transported into the world of the text. Love this review girlie!
Thank you. I felt it just more slow at times or she needed to dig deeper. It happened 15 years ago so maybe it wasn’t as fresh in her mind. It still made me feel like she really dug deep and overcame so much which really was inspiring.
Gone With the Wind. I’d seen the movie as a kid but I didn’t discover the magic of the book OR the film until I was 21… I had just broken up with a boyfriend and lost my dad all within a month. I felt hopeless. I felt useless. On a whim I read the book and it quickly became my most favorite (even above Harry Potter!). I love Scarlett because she’s a bad ass bitch who doesn’t let anything stop her or get her down. “Tomorrow is another day.” 🙂
That was a really good movie, and she was such a strong female character. Good choice!
I just saw that you are working on your AMC 4000 footers! Me too. I only have three but I am slowly but surely getting there. One of my life goals is to hike the AT.
Yes! I really want to hit as many as I can. Are you doing anything special to prepare? You have three planned, or done three? Th Appalachian Trail would be do awesome to do.
I’ve heard so many good things about this book. I really need to give it a try!
It is really good. I wish she dug a little deeper but how she overcame and pushed through was so inspiring.