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elsie_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I originally read this book Jan. 2015 and reread it Nov. 2015 for my book club. I had some seriously mixed feelings on my first read because I really loathed Cheryl. I hated how self-centered and reckless she had been. It reminded me of a good friend who makes similar bad decisions on the regular and it's been SO FRUSTRATING to be her friend. This brought me to originally rate the book 2 stars. Over time I realize the flaw is not the book but my feelings for Cheryl as a person, so I upped my rating to 3 stars.
As I reread it, I did it without judging Cheryl's moral character and appreciated the book much better. My emotions were still highly activated but different and not so angry at her. I am raising my rating to 5 stars. Why?
1. A book that keeps me emotionally charged for a year is major.
2. The writing is good. There are some details that didn't seem too relevant during my 1st read that were poignant the 2nd time around.
3. Cheryl was able to clearly convey her pre-PCT immaturity (hence, pissing me off), which means she does eventually evolve away from her old ways. She had to confront those faults in order to articulate them so clearly.
Since my mind kept comparing Cheryl to my friend, my first impression would not believe that Cheryl would actually evolve. I had believed she did this hike, developed some insights and then she'd easily go back to her old ways. I believed this because this is how I perceived my friend.
After the 2nd read and my newly developed perspective, I believe Cheryl's personal journey really elevated her to be better version of herself. Now I have renewed hope that this can also happen to my friend or to anyone.
ORIGINAL REVIEW ON JAN. 3, 2015:
I originally gave this 2-stars but changed it to 3. The book itself is fine and a decent memoir. I was annoyed by the main character almost the whole way through. I finally admitted to myself that my issue was personal, not an issue with how the character is written.
As I reread it, I did it without judging Cheryl's moral character and appreciated the book much better. My emotions were still highly activated but different and not so angry at her. I am raising my rating to 5 stars. Why?
1. A book that keeps me emotionally charged for a year is major.
2. The writing is good. There are some details that didn't seem too relevant during my 1st read that were poignant the 2nd time around.
3. Cheryl was able to clearly convey her pre-PCT immaturity (hence, pissing me off), which means she does eventually evolve away from her old ways. She had to confront those faults in order to articulate them so clearly.
Since my mind kept comparing Cheryl to my friend, my first impression would not believe that Cheryl would actually evolve. I had believed she did this hike, developed some insights and then she'd easily go back to her old ways. I believed this because this is how I perceived my friend.
After the 2nd read and my newly developed perspective, I believe Cheryl's personal journey really elevated her to be better version of herself. Now I have renewed hope that this can also happen to my friend or to anyone.
ORIGINAL REVIEW ON JAN. 3, 2015:
I originally gave this 2-stars but changed it to 3. The book itself is fine and a decent memoir. I was annoyed by the main character almost the whole way through. I finally admitted to myself that my issue was personal, not an issue with how the character is written.
herbwyfe's review against another edition
5.0
A second read - this time via audio. I would have liked to listen to the author but she didn't do the audio version.
It's almost always a treat to come back to a book I read and enjoyed many years before.
Despite some criticisms that have been offered, I could relate easily to the ambitious but unprepared journey. I thought the storytelling was excellent - intimate and honest. I am a solo hiker and camper and I understood the many emotions she experienced.'
It's almost always a treat to come back to a book I read and enjoyed many years before.
Despite some criticisms that have been offered, I could relate easily to the ambitious but unprepared journey. I thought the storytelling was excellent - intimate and honest. I am a solo hiker and camper and I understood the many emotions she experienced.'
manana99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
ruahkampf's review against another edition
4.0
Tragic, traumatic things happen to almost all of us. Sometimes, some of us break in inexplicable ways. I haven't made the same choices as Cheryl Strayed did in the face of tragedy and trauma; but I know what those things feel like. And her choice to walk off into a long-loneliness of her own, into a life utterly disconnected in search of reconnecting led somewhere interesting; hearing another's tale of how they've sought reconnection and healing after tragedy and trauma has an intrinsic value. I've hiked differently than she has, literally speaking, and also appreciated her descriptions of that experience; it is sacred stuff in a way that perhaps only those with packs too heavy to carry gracefully are capable of knowing.
bbburn's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, kept me on the edge of my chair, wondering what would happen next! Could not do this myself, nothing but admiration for Cheryl Strayed!
sofiawren's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book-- I found the author to be very real about her own imperfections, such as describing her use of heroin and the challenges of hiking. I'm sure if I had a real interest in hiking this would be at a full 5 star, but I only have a passing interest, which is no fault of the author, she wrote a very good book.
notoriousbec's review against another edition
5.0
This book is amazing! Truly inspirational. Cheryl's story is remarkable.
swimlaurie's review against another edition
3.0
After hearing about this book, I was prepared to hate it, but I don't. At least not yet - at pg 83...
Granted she IS kind of an idiot. Maybe I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for now and just say she's lost. Finished the book. My opinion has not changed.
Granted she IS kind of an idiot. Maybe I'll give her the benefit of the doubt for now and just say she's lost. Finished the book. My opinion has not changed.
meredithkhd's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I don't know why I waited so long to read this book. No, that's a lie; I do know why. I tend to avoid Oprah Book Club picks but that's just the former bookseller in me rolling my eyes at that little sticker making people read a book that's been out forever, a book they ignored until Oprah told them different.
OK. I needed to get that out, apparently. :)
Anyway, I finally decided to read/listen to this book and I'm so glad I did! I loved nearly every part of it, from her relationship to her mother and the need to do something different, to the honest truth that she was totally unprepared and still she walked. There were a few instances that kind of dragged, but they were few and far between. She was walking for miles on end; what did I expect?
I love hiking, but Wild did NOT inspire me to try anything like this. I don't want a Monster on my back and my feet are already a mess from running. I've lost toenails and I enjoy clean hair too much to go days, let alone weeks, without a shower. More power to those who can and call it fun!
OK. I needed to get that out, apparently. :)
Anyway, I finally decided to read/listen to this book and I'm so glad I did! I loved nearly every part of it, from her relationship to her mother and the need to do something different, to the honest truth that she was totally unprepared and still she walked. There were a few instances that kind of dragged, but they were few and far between. She was walking for miles on end; what did I expect?
I love hiking, but Wild did NOT inspire me to try anything like this. I don't want a Monster on my back and my feet are already a mess from running. I've lost toenails and I enjoy clean hair too much to go days, let alone weeks, without a shower. More power to those who can and call it fun!