This book had me at page one! I had heard a review of the book somewhere a few months prior, and upon traveling to the Bay Area and checking out a local bookstore, I found the book Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I was giddy with excitement to read it – a woman’s story of hiking more than 1100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail…alone! I was intrigued to say the least.
The first chapter was about the death of her mother, and I have to say I wasn’t sure I would get through the chapter. Having lost my mother only a short time before I started reading the book, I cried through the entire first chapter. And I mean panting, out of breath crying. I had to put the book down for a few days after I did complete the first chapter because I wasn’t sure I was emotionally strong enough to continue on the journey. I picked it back up a few days later and read the remainder of Wild voraciously. When she concluded and arrived at her final destination and shared that she hadn’t wanted the journey to conclude, I felt that same pang of sadness that I didn’t want the book to end either.
Cheryl shares how her journey to hike the Pacific Crest Trail came about after a couple of life blows that were quite much to handle. She decided to pack up her stuff and come out West to begin her trek.
Being an avid hiker, and having the Pacific Crest Trail (at least portions of it) on my bucket list, this book compelled me from cover to cover. I was riveted with each story she shared, the folks she met along the trail, the Trail Angels – something I wasn’t familiar with until I read this book. The “PCT Boxes” which I have now seen in various locations (most recently outside of the store at Crater Lake).
Cheryl has an amazing gift to describe scenery, moments, feelings and you feel like you’re in every experience with her.
As I started my own journey writing my book, Rising Above the Ashes – Reigniting Your Joy, I was reminded of Cheryl’s honest and gut wrenching conversational style of writing and I hope to be that honest and conversational in my own book.
I’m looking forward to the seeing the movie in December, where Reese Witherspoon plays Cheryl Strayed!
Read more and get your copy here: http://www.cherylstrayed.com/wild_108676.htm