Memoir by Cheryl Strayed offers powerful nonfiction read
A number-one national bestseller and now motion picture, Wild by Cheryl Strayed reaches above and beyond expectations. A tale of a woman who loses everything she loves, Wild captures the journey of a woman who decides she no longer has anything to lose, and makes one of the most difficult decisions of her life. Wild is the story of a woman who makes the bold choice to pack her bag and hike over a thousand miles along the Pacific Crest Trail, from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State, all on her own.
At first, the novel was not at all what I expected it to be – starting off a little slow and seemingly self-absorbed. I was quickly proven wrong in my assumptions. With each page I turned, I felt a growing connection with the author I didn’t think was possible. Cheryl is forced to deal with the struggle of finding her sense of identity after a tragic loss that tears her life apart, leaving her to pick up the pieces. Cheryl’s unconventional behaviours and coping skills left me confused, angry, and frustrated with her. I wondered why she chose such a self-destructive path. What turned my opinion of Cheryl around was her open honesty in admitting her mistakes. Cheryl doesn’t run from blame, but instead forces herself to face her flaws, her heartbreak, and her grief.
Wild is a story of joy more than it is a story of pain. It is a story about family, heartbreak, and growing up when you are left with no other choice. This memoir isn’t the simple tale of a woman who goes on a hike, unprepared and inexperienced, and finds herself at the end of the trail. It is an uplifting memoir about strength, independence, love, and walking towards your own light through the pain. Cheryl does not wait for anyone to come save her, and it is her unwavering bravery and determination that pulls her out from her spiralling low.
…a heartbreaking, soul-lifting, humorous memoir…
Wild is beautifully written and incredibly engaging once Cheryl reaches the trail and begins her journey. It may be difficult for some to stay interested prior to Cheryl reaching the trail, especially for those who are solely looking for a solo-backpacker’s account of her emotionally-fuelled journey through the wild, but it is definitely worth the read for when she reaches this point in the memoir.
Wild is a heartbreaking, soul-lifting, humorous memoir that I would highly recommend to any open-minded reader looking for an untraditional story of inspiration. It is a wonderful reminder that, regardless of how difficult life can get, there is always the possibility of change, newfound strength, and a chance to rebuild.