Wild by Cheryl Strayed – A Review

Hello and welcome to our Made From Mountains Adventure Stories review of Wild by Cheryl Strayed.

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

Wild is a book filled with the outdoors and an epic long distance walking adventure but at its core this story is about a journey of self discovery. It tells the heartbreaking and heartwarming walk of Cheryl Strayed as she walks the Pacific Crest Trail to become whole again. If you’ve read The Salt Path, Eat Pray Love or A Walk in the Woods then this might be a book for you.

We loved Wild by Cheryl Strayed. It’s a brilliantly emotive and empowering book about the outdoors. It’s a great introduction to American long distance walking and adventuring and evokes all of the benefits and trials of life on the trail. This is a chatty, good-humoured book that deals with difficult personal issues alongside a journey along one of the world’s greatest walks.

Background Story

Cheryl Strayed’s epic memoir follows her trans-formative journey as she solo-hikes 1100 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT). As she walks through the blistering heat of the Mojave Desert towards the snow clad peaks of the Sierra Nevada and onto the woodlands of Oregon, Cheryl’s story unfolds as she delves into her heartrending past and comes to terms with the experiences that brought her to the trail. 

The story begins with Cheryl’s arrival on the PCT and the events that had led her to that decision, chiefly the death of her mother who died of cancer at 45. Her unerring love, grief and occasional guilt that surround her mother’s memory are carried with Cheryl along the journey, weighing as heavily as her backpack ‘monster’. As do the persistent thoughts of her now divorced, but still present ex husband and her infidelities; her abusive father, who left her life aged 6 and the intermittent heroin use that was so recent she set off with “a tiny black hole in her ankle”. At the start as a novice hiker she arrives physically unprepared for the trail ahead but emotionally she is already bone-wearily tired.

‘I was crying over all of it. Over the sick mire I’d made my life since my mother died, over the stupid existence that had become my own. I was not meant to be this way, to live this way, to fail so darkly.” 

Wild by Cheryl Strayed

But as she dons her ridiculously oversized, well loved pack, she takes steps towards a physical and emotional transformation that is evocative, beautiful and painfully moving. With depth, honesty and hilarity she overcomes the trials and tribulations that the PCT throws her way. From the aches, pains and inevitable blisters from too-small boots to the friendships that she makes with fellow hikers along the way, those with any experience of long distance hiking will find some part of their own experiences reflected in Cheryl’s journey. 

Highlights of the story

There were some truly wonderful, emotional peaks in Wild that you enjoy alongside Cheryl, as though you really do share her personal triumphs. Her sense of growing achievement and renewal after increasing her miles per day and taking ownership of her experiences are really rewarding. 

The book also deals with some issues that are often overlooked in romanticised travel guides, particularly problems relating to female travel. From body odours and periods Cheryl embraces all of the practical aspects of what happens to your body on a long distance hike. In addition to this she also discusses the fear that she feels near some men on the trail. 

Although there is an initial terror of the wilderness and particularly wild animals, Cheryl talks about the fear of the harm unknown men might do to her if they take advantage of her situation. These might be unfounded in some instances, like the farmer who takes her back to meet his wife and be fed a hearty meal. But fully justified in the case of the two sinister men that she meets in a clearing in the later stages of the walk. 

Addressing and discussing the fear is currently really relevant and is a good opening for education and development in the outdoor and travel community. 

Similarly the other aspect of female solo travel that Cheryl focuses on is sex drive. Her acceptance and celebration of her sexuality and sexual desire mean that this frequently becomes a focus in a lot of her interactions and memories on the PCT. It’s slightly unusual in a ‘adventure’ memoir but it’s a freeing and engaging topic nevertheless. 

Aside from this one of the most rewarding parts of the book is the familiarity that you feel with Cheryl’s experience. If you’ve ever done a long distance walk, long time travel or endurance event you’ll know what it’s like to go without. To go without basic necessities like food, water and money but also the things you regularly take for granted like warm showers, frequent conversations with friends and dirty fast food!

Things you need to know before you begin this book

This isn’t a hiking guide to the PCT. Although Cheryl describes her surroundings and where she is, if you’re looking for a blow by blow account then this isn’t the book for you. It’s not location specific and it would be difficult to use it as a navigation guide.

This is a memoir and a personal journey of self discovery and reconciliation, it’s got some fairly intense personal emotions and occasionally deals with drug use and addiction. It’s not facts based and isn’t overly accurate on nature, geography or the wilderness. The tone of the book is personal and friendly but not scientific or informative. It doesn’t deal with any particularly environmental, community or conservation causes and differs from ‘adventure’ guides that do.

Find similar books to Wild

Thank you for reading our review of Wild by Cheryl Strayed. If you enjoyed this book we recommend looking at similar adventure stories like:

• A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson
• Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail by Barney Scout Mann
• Three Stripes South by Bex Band
• The Salt Path by Raynor Winn
• Tracks (film) directed by John Curran
• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Where Can I Buy This Book?

Book Stores – this book is available at most good independent bookstores. You can find lots of local independent retailers here.

Audio book – this book is available on Audible and narrated by Laurel Lefkow

Wild (the film) produced and starring Reese Witherspoon and directed by Jean-Marc Vallee is definitely worth the watch