Author: Cheryl Strayed
Number of Pages: 311
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Review:
“To wander from the proper path, to deviate from the direct course, to be lost, to become wild, to be without a mother or father, to be without a home, to move about aimlessly in search of something, to diverge or digress” (Strayed, 96). These things are all definitions of the word wild. These phrases are also all ways of describing Cheryl Strayed. After a series of life altering events Cheryl a mid twenty year old decides to hike the Pacfic Crest Trail without any backpacking experience. The Pacfic Crest Trail is a grueling hike that spans from Mexico to Canada and passes through the states bordering the Pacific Coast. While on the trail Cheryl quickly learns she is underprepared and ill fit to hike the trail. However, she is determined to make it to the finish line and hikes through all obstacles in her way in search of the person she was before her mother died. This experience on the trail is a healing one and teaches her many values and characteristics of herself.
Strayed’s writing style is very unquike. It is so vivid with imagery and feeling that the reader can picture being right next to her on the PCT. As she changes throughout the book so does her writing to model the growth. She is honest and personable. I found myself relating to many of the things she was experiencing and preaching. One of my favorite parts of the book was when Cheryl first stepped foot onto the PCT. She was so naive and excited when she quickly realized that the hike was going to be harder than she thought. I loved seeing her determination and drive. I also really related to a part mid way through the book when she shed her first tears on the PCT. She was looking up at the stars and thinking about her dad and realized how happy and full the PCT had made her and what a healing experience the hike had been. I really connected to this point in the story as I have also felt that feeling while being up here at Outdoor Lab. Finally, I loved the moment she reached to The Bridge of the Gods. The way she wrapped up the story made a lasting impression on me and the rest of her audience. It was such a monumental moment where I felt proud of her accomplishments.
I had a great time reading this book and loved every moment of it. I really connected and related to the story as I choose Outdoor Lab for a similar reason that Cheryl chose to hike the PCT. It was funny, relatable, and genuine. I would definitely recommend this book to others. It's a fantastic way to get a new perspective on grief and times when life just doesn’t seem to go your way. It makes me really believe that I can also pick myself up on a bad day as Cheryl did on the PCT.
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