Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Written by:
Cheryl Strayed
Narrated by:
Bernadette Dunne

Unabridged Audiobook

Ratings
Book
798
Narrator
153
Release Date
March 2012
Duration
13 hours 3 minutes
Summary
Oprah's Book Club 2.0 selection.

A powerful, blazingly honest memoir: the story of an eleven-hundred-mile solo hike that broke down a young woman reeling from catastrophe—and built her back up again.
 
At twenty-two, Cheryl Strayed thought she had lost everything. In the wake of her mother's death, her family scattered and her own marriage was soon destroyed. Four years later, with nothing more to lose, she made the most impulsive decision of her life: to hike the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mojave Desert through California and Oregon to Washington State—and to do it alone. She had no experience as a long-distance hiker, and the trail was little more than “an idea, vague and outlandish and full of promise.” But it was a promise of piecing back together a life that had come undone.
 
Strayed faces down rattlesnakes and black bears, intense heat and record snowfalls, and both the beauty and loneliness of the trail. Told with great suspense and style, sparkling with warmth and humor, Wild vividly captures the terrors and pleasures of one young woman forging ahead against all odds on a journey that maddened, strengthened, and ultimately healed her.
Reviews
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Mita S

Wonderful narration of a beautiful self searching soul.

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Sarah M.

Been hearing about this book for years and finally tried it. I'm still listening, though I agree with others that the narrator seems too old (to describe a 26-year-old's journey) and doesn't captivate like other narrators I've listened to; it's actually pretty distracting. The story is interesting and inspiring-ish, though the author spends a lot of time describing random details that don't seem important or meaningful to the story itself. That said, I'm still listening and interested to hear how it wraps up. Overall a decent read, but underwhelming compared to the hype.

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Janet G

the narrator sounded older than what I would have expected for this story.

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Amy B.

I think it could have been a great listen, but the narrator is so ill-suited for this story. Her voice was way too old.

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Marsha W.

I never wanted the book to end. I could never be alone for so long. She was very inspiring.

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Erika A

Amazing read and the narrative made it very interesting to listen to as well. This book is inspiring! Absolutely my new favorite.

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Jennifer P

The book kept me engaged. There were moments of sadness and tears but also of joy and laughter. I enjoyed her candidness and willingness to talk about her shortcomings in a humorous way.

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Monica M

this story is so raw and real...so brave and fascinating...it left me speechless...

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Leah Reimer

Great book, sadly the narrator was a little whiny and her tone was condescending I wished that Cheryl had narrated it as she has done with some of her other books.

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Lorrie Hansen

Absolutely loved the book and it was partly due to the narrator. Both get 5 stars

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Cynthia Montoya

I enjoyed the story and I enjoyed the audio, both were compelling and I would recommend to all my friends!

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Albert Gerber

Really enjoyed this book. It was hard to stop listening to the story when I finished my meal which is my listening time. Thanks.

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Anonymous

i love this story, I have read it many times!

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Danemls247

Great story!

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Steve B

I enjoyed the journey and how life lessons were shared with the reader. More than a backpacking book.

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Mari F.

Really good listen

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CPJ S.

Beautiful and inspiring story

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Anonymous

The book totally entrapped me. The reviews about the narrator seem odd to me. Cheryl obviously wrote the book AFTER having completed this insane hike. I think that the narrator did a wonderful job and gave me the feelings of an older lady telling the story to a bunch of kids after having had the opportunity to reflect on it.

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Rachel R.

I liked the story, but I found it a bit disconcerting as the narrators voice seemed too old for Cheryl. Great adventure though and inspirational story.

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Alison H.

Couldn’t listen past the third or fourth sentence. This person isn’t the right narrator for this book, though she has a nice voice for something else. I didn’t want to be mean so I gave the book and the narrator five stars even though, as I say, I only listened to three sentences. As a package they do not work.

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Tye H.

Cheryl should have narrated herself!! Good book though.

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Anna W.

The book is amazing, so powerful. The narrator sounds almost robotic. How terrible. It was a slog listening to her.

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Kara S.

I'm enjoying this even more than the movie

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Mark W.

Not an adventure in the entire book, unless having sex was your idea of adventure for this book. The narrator is bored with the story; you will be also. Skip this one. Read the diary of the columnist, that just did the Oregon State part of the trek. Very interesting and informative. Sorry, I can't think of his name.

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Anonymous

It's a story of a bumbling ill-prepared hitch hiker who also hiked sections of the PCT, there are a lot of people who "hike" this way from Mexico to Canada. The book is more of a emotional journey for a book than one on her feet, but the book and Movie were entertaining.

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K Gloor

This was a great book! I would be scared to death to hike that trail alone and she is so lucky that nothing worse happened. Great life experience though. Good for her. The book was well written and as always well narrated.

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Julie L

It was an interesting book but parts of it seemed like afterthoughts. I got real tired of reading about her promiscuity in such detail, not to mention her details of stopping her menses! A lot less would have been more than enough! It was an ok book, just not as good as expected.

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Jasmine H

Great story, it makes you never want to put the book down

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Arwa Yunis

Despite the popularity of this book, I didn't enjoy it. She went through lots of details describing her physical pain. I didn't enjoy it and I wasn't inspired at all. A better book that discusses finding oneself through travel, is the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

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Elizabeth Griesmer

*THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS* "Put Yourself in the Way of Beauty" Wild is many things. A survival story. A nature travel log. A family history. A love story. A tale of redemption and acceptance. I loved listening to it. I am curious about Cheryl narrating it, since she has experience doing podcasts, etc. But the narrator was not bad at all. My life is not really like Cheryl's has been, but Wild has given me so much. I did hike for 2 weeks on the AT in 1988. I have a degree in Literature and bookstores/libraries are sacred spaces for me. I lost my father 5 years ago and am experiencing "prolonged" grief. I didn't act out as she did, but I was much older at the time of the loss; but I think I understood how she felt. The movie soundtrack is really good, too.

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Mary Smith

Wild is a very interesting book! Enjoyed every minute of it. Was great to go on Sheryl's journey with her!

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Tamara Malan

It was very well narrated., a great read, great story lines, very well written, factual and entertaining. It kept me listening.

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Shannan Starling

I really enjoyed this book. Cheryl is so broken and strong well written.

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Kristi Cooper

Loved it! Couldn't stop listening and dreaded the end of this book but at the same time couldn't wait to get there

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Conye Wheeler

I really loved this book. Couldn't quit listening to it. Also loved the narrator. Hope to hear more books by her.

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Lise Henri

It was a great book. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book. Very well written and read. The author really portrayed her experience and personality down to the raw details. I felt as if knew Cheryl.

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Crystal-Lee Quibell

Love this book but the narrators voice is a little much. When she tries to imitate the voices it takes away from the story. Wish it was read by the author.

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Riely Jesme

The book tells an interesting story, and I enjoyed hearing about author's travels (both on the trail and in her mind and heart), but her reuse of the same 15 adjectives over and over became grating after some time. I also had a hard time with the narrator's raspy voice.

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Tesh Kosowan

Great book! Really want to do the hike myself. I wish the voice was younger, sounded like a 45 year old woman....

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megan Lambdin

Great! one of my favs. really makes you think. highly recommended.

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Diane Marsh

Loved, loved, loved this story! Thank you Cheryl. You had me from beginning to end. I wish it had continued. I didn't want it to end.

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Donna Jackson

Not what I thought it would be and in a rare case, the movie should be better than the book. Quoted from the book by the author, this may seem dubious and fiction. She got that right. The book is more about her sexual escapades and drug use, all blamed on others, leading her to trek the PCT to find herself. Some aspects are interesting, but over all, very poor story. How can I sleep with him? Shooting heroin the eve of leaving to hike the PCT? Could have had more of an adventure story telling, but no. Listened to all in hopes that it would improve; very disappointed.

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Matthew Chasteen

Incredible. Best credit I've ever spent. Go ahead, have a listen...

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Kristi Sprague

I enjoyed the story being told in first person and the descriptions that were given of the hiking. I was in awe of what Cheryl Strayed put herself through in hiking the PCT. At first, I thought the book was a bit monotonous, but I ended up getting hooked in. I wondered, along with the main character, how she was going to handle various situations, and was eager to find out how it all turned out. The narrator was a bummer for me.

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Kate Mack

Cheryl Strayed is bad-a@# and that's about all there is to say.

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Laura Suglia-Isgro

Good story, however, didn't blow my mind. Makes me want to take up hiking.

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Jane Freeman

I have entirely enjoyed listening to Wild. Last year at this time I was on New Zealand's version of the PCT. So many things rang true to form; the food cravings, getting so smelly, the characters, leap fragging companions and forging such inspired bonds with all these goal oriented lovely fellow maniacs undertaking such a huge endeavor. It's a great mix of being in astounding beauty and being absolutely grueling. As she mentions it feels like you're forever headed uphill. Grit and wits meets all the basic human qualities to pull it off. She captures the nuance and heft of trail life so well. I met others who were reeling and walking after the loss of a loved one. I'm grateful to be reminded of an experience that is still fresh and life changing.

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Stacey Rentfrow

Amazing inspiring story. The detailed descriptions make you feel as though your walking the PCT with Cheryl.

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Brittany Sorrell

I enjoyed this book very much. I am always excited to hear other people's wanderlust stories. I love the outdoors but don't get out on trails enough. This book has motivated me to change that!

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M K

Beautiful story. It made me want to sublet my apartment, sell everything and get out there!

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Jack Green

I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the tale of Cheryl Strayed journey of her life and hike on the PCT. I've gone backpacking on sections of the Appalachian trail,and relived some of those moments while listening. It was both encouraged and a little sad when her trip ended.

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Rutledge Rutledge

Wonderful book! I love the frankness of her story and am looking forward to seeing it on film. Wish there were more writers like Cheryl.

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rachel steines

I thought the story was abrupt at times that could have been interesting parts of the story, and drawn out at more boring times of the story.

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Nathalie Dahlstedt

A very touching story which could be someone's real life!

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Joe Madron

This book was wonderful. I would definitely recommend it!

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Whitney Miller

Loved it! I love stories about women doing amazing things. Looking forward to the movie :)

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Zina Flores

Wild is the perfect summer adventure read. The book is gripping from cover to cover. a harrowing experience amidst an existential crisis. Cleaning my garage was never more exciting.

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Deva Neely

The book itself was quite riveting. The reading of the book was quite horrific in that she mispronounced many words which drove me nuts.

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