Book Review: Wild by Cheryl Strayed was a tough & heart-rending read, but definitely worth it

Wild came with a warning.

“It’s a tough read” my best friend Loren said, as she handed her copy to me. Within the first few pages, I knew exactly what she was talking about.

Loren and I have always been incredibly close to our mums and as the story is about the author’s personal journey after losing her own mother to cancer, it’s not the easiest subject to read about, or even think about.

That aside, I really, really enjoyed Wild.

If you haven’t heard of it, the basic premise is that Cheryl Strayed completely loses her way after her mother’s death. She cheats on her husband, therefore destroying her marriage, drops out of her college studies and her toxic relationships even lead her to heroin. Years later, with nothing left to lose, she decides to hike more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail. She treks from the Mojave Desert, through California and Oregon to Washington State completely alone and without any training or experience.

Cheryl is not your typical protagonist, but I found myself rooting for her. I desperately wanted her to succeed and was willing her on with every turn of the page. Her story is written with such warmth, charm and raw honesty that you can’t help but wish for a happy ending.

I can understand how anyone might be put off by the book, thinking it could be repetitive and dull as it is focused on a 1,000 mile hike, but I can guarantee that is not the case at all. Although, of course, the PCT plays a huge part in the book, the focus is really on Cheryl’s personal journey and her identity – how she lost it and her determination to find it again… to become “the woman her mother raised her to be,” as she says.

But if you really don’t fancy reading the book, check out the film. I watched it the other night and I thought Reese Witherspoon was excellent in her role as Cheryl. They missed some parts out, but nothing that really impacted on the essence of the story. I was also really pleased that they didn’t go into too much detail about Lady, as that made me cry when I was reading the book (if you’ve read it, you’ll know exactly which bit I mean!)

Wild by Cheryl Strayed, 4/5