NoSauce

NoSauce Book Review - Wild by Cheryl Strayed

A friend gave me this book and told me she really enjoyed it - I was put off because it is an Oprah book, and I have a history of not loving the same books as Ms. Winfrey.

But I had nothing else to read laying around so I thought I would give it a shot.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Cheryl has a hard life - some of it she brings upon herself (heroin use), some of it was just a crummy hand she was dealt. However it is inarguable that her strength, wit, and charm aren’t also protagonists in this story.

She divorces her husband and sets out to hike over a thousand miles on the Pacific Crest Trail through California, Oregon, and Washington with essentially zero preparation except a handful of books. The trail itself is her antagonist, and a snarky relentless one at that. However, part of me wanted to scream that it’s her fault she was going through all these trials and tribulations because of the lack of preparation.

Her stories from the front lines are entertaining and adrenaline filled at first - although after so many miles I started to get a little bored of dehydration, lack of money, and no personal hygiene. That being said, I still admired her will and drive.

The book is somewhat predictable, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t entertaining.

A good easy read if you want something that inspires you to a) go to the gym b) spend some time outside c) tell your loved ones how you feel about them.

2 out of 5 stars