Wild

by Cheryl Strayed
Wild cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Biography and Memoir
Technical:
  • ID: 557
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9780857897770
  • Publisher: Atlantic Books Ltd
  • Published: 2012-05-01
  • Formats: 46
  • Reviews: 3
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Paperback • £9.99
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Format • £7.59–£8.54

At twenty-six, Cheryl Strayed's life was in shambles after her mother's death and the collapse of her marriage. In a moment of desperation, she decided to hike over a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail alone, despite having no prior hiking experience. Wild is a brutally honest account of her physical and emotional struggles, capturing the agony, terror, and ultimately, the healing power of her journey. The memoir has been praised for its raw and compelling narrative, offering a searing portrayal of life at its lowest and highest points./n/nWild was selected to be read on Radio Four's Book of the Week and has been lauded by critics such as Nick Hornby, who described it as one of the best books he's read in years. The book is not just a story of survival but also a testament to the human spirit's resilience and the transformative power of nature.

Reviews
Julia's Books · Julia · 2021-08-08
moving 4.50

The book is a profound exploration of grief and self-discovery, with the author's raw honesty making it deeply relatable. The journey on the Pacific Crest Trail serves as a metaphor for her emotional healing.

Julia finds Cheryl Strayed's memoir to be a deeply moving exploration of grief and self-discovery. She appreciates the author's raw honesty and the way the physical journey on the Pacific Crest Trail parallels her emotional healing. Julia also notes how the book's themes of loss and redemption resonate with readers, making it a powerful and inspirational read.

Quick quotes

    A profound exploration of grief and self-discovery.

    The author's raw honesty makes it deeply relatable.

    The journey on the Pacific Crest Trail serves as a metaphor for her emotional healing.

Athena Mellor · Athena Mellor · 2018-01-21
captivating 4.20

This book is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. The author's journey is both physically and emotionally challenging, making it a captivating read.

Athena Mellor highlights the resilience and strength of Cheryl Strayed's journey in this memoir. She finds the book captivating as it delves into both the physical and emotional challenges faced by the author. Athena appreciates how the narrative captures the essence of self-discovery and the human spirit, making it an inspirational story.

Quick quotes

    A testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit.

    The author's journey is both physically and emotionally challenging.

    A captivating read that delves into self-discovery and the human spirit.

The Guardian · Nicolette Jones · 2013-01-06
inspiring 4.00

This memoir is a gripping account of a woman's journey to overcome personal turmoil through physical endurance. The writing is both raw and poetic, capturing the essence of self-discovery.

The reviewer praises Cheryl Strayed's memoir for its honesty and depth, highlighting how she transforms her personal struggles into a powerful narrative. They appreciate the way Strayed's journey on the Pacific Crest Trail mirrors her inner journey, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also notes the poetic quality of the writing, which adds to the emotional impact of the story.

Quick quotes

    A gripping account of a woman's journey to overcome personal turmoil through physical endurance.

    The writing is both raw and poetic, capturing the essence of self-discovery.

    A powerful narrative that transforms personal struggles into a compelling story.

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