Welcome to our virtual book club! This month we’re talking about Wild by Cheryl Strayed, which I introduced here.
Here’s how it works: I’ll throw out a few topics for discussion, and you can write your responses about these topics (or anything else you’d like to say) in the comment section.
***
Wild is Cheryl Strayed’s true story of her one-thousand-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington State. On the heels of her mother’s death, her own divorce, and disintegrating relationships with the rest of her family, she threw herself into a quest that brought her to the limits of her body, her resolve, and her will to live. Her journey also forced her to reflect on her grief and her identity, ultimately bringing a measure of healing.
Discussion #1: The Search for Adventure
Cheryl’s thirst for adventure seemed to have been unlocked by the loss and grief she was experiencing. But her adventure turned out to be much more difficult than she’d bargained for.
The Pacific Crest Trail wasn’t a world to me then. It was an idea, vague and outlandish, full of promise and mystery. Something bloomed inside me as I traced its jagged line with my finger on a map.
Do you have an inner drive for adventure? Have you ever jumped into something that turned out to be way bigger than you expected?
Discussion #2: Parallel Journeys
I really liked the author’s writing style and the way she wove together two parallel journeys: her physical trek on the trail and her emotional journey through the flashbacks. I didn’t always agree with her decisions, but I understood what was fueling her decisions, and I appreciated watching her process of self-discovery.
I considered my options. There were only two and they were essentially the same. I could go back in the direction I had come from, or I could go forward in the direction I intended to go.
Were there any parts of Cheryl’s journey (physical or emotional) that you could relate to?
Discussion #3: Extra Baggage
One of the most fascinating parts of the book for me was seeing what Cheryl decided to take on her journey and what she left behind. It made me think about my own priorities and what I would take if I had to carry all my earthly possessions on my back.
What would you have carried that she left behind? Was there anything she brought along that you would have ditched?
Discussion #4: Fear
Cheryl faced just about every fear known to humankind: loneliness, physical exhaustion, pain, scary strangers, severe weather, even bears! Yet she faced her fears with honesty and almost desperate courage.
I knew that if I allowed fear to overtake me, my journey was doomed. Fear, to a great extent, is born of a story we tell ourselves, and so I chose to tell myself a different story from the one women are told.
What part of Cheryl’s adventure would have been scariest for you?
Discussion #5: Identity
I enjoyed reading about Cheryl’s process for choosing a new last name—which was, in a sense, a way for her to redefine her identity.
Nothing fit until one day when the word strayed came into my mind. Immediately, I looked it up in the dictionary and knew it was mine . . . : “to wander from the proper path, to deviate from the direct course, to be lost, to become wild, to be without a mother or father, to be without a home, to move about aimlessly in search of something, to diverge or digress.”
Have you ever changed your name? If you were going to change your name, what would you choose?
Discussion #6: Rating
I would give this book 4 stars (out of 5) for the strong writing, the vulnerability, and the insights into human nature. It was a book that handled some tough topics but was still was fun to read, and that’s a feat to pull off.
What would you rate the book? And if you’ve seen the movie, what did you think of it? Should I watch it?
{Remember: I’ll give away a free book to one lucky commenter!}
An adventure tale with so much potential that, once again, spirals down into drugs and sex. I was initially excited about a survival story featuring a female and then saw it as disappointing and demeaning to women. She definitely had some moments of strength and personal insight but the negatives outweighed the positives for me.
I know, Linda…I wish it hadn’t spiraled down that way! Do you think you’ll skip the movie?
I loved this book and could definitely relate to the thirst for adventure and the choice in desperation to do something impossible because nothing normal made sense. I would have been most afraid of being alone and the long hours of silence. I would have packed more money, and she makes me feel like a coward for how much I depend on that. It’s a book about desperation, and I loved how she fought through that. 4.5 stars
Christy, I was thinking about you a lot as I read this book! You could write your own tales of a woman on her own adventure.
The parallel story was huge for me. I really enjoyed and thought it was interesting how she wove it all together, especially because so many of the flashback and etc. were not chronological. I think that takes a gifted storyteller!
I can also relate to her sense of adventure, but my fears always win out. I envied her ‘dive in blindly’ attitude because my planner/worrier self would never be able to do that. But I also felt like her attitude is what got her in a lot of trouble. Like, ‘more’ planning could have fixed a lot of issues. Who doesn’t test out their shoes? (Says a woman who works at a shoe store!)
I do agree with Linda though, I was sad it spiraled into sex and drugs. I know that’s kind of the tragedy to triumph that makes a good story and that sells books, but sad that that is what it had to one down to. I do disagree about it being demeaning to women. I think she was weak at moments, but she was a strong woman who held her own in a lot of tough tough situations.
I was a little disappointed by the end. I felt like the pacing of the book felt a little off, just in that the first part of her trip took so much of the story and then the end felt a little rushed. I realize that’s really just part of the story, that so much learning was done early on so that needed a large portion of time and less at the end so she could skim through parts faster. I just wanted to know what happened later!
Overall, I definitely enjoyed it and am glad I read it. I was proud to start and finish it in a timely manner, so thanks for the excuse! What’s next?!? 😉
Liz, I’m so glad you participated! Great thoughts…I’m like you and would be too much of a worrier to take the plunge! Congrats on making time to read this book…so fun to hear your insights.
I enjoyed reading this book (except for the unnecessary details of her sexual escapades.) I admired her for the most part especially her ability to “stick with it” even when the journey was hard.
I agree with Liz in her comments about the ending and enjoying the flashbacks.
I, left to myself, am not an adventurous person. That is why I am so surprised that God has chosen to take me on some adventures. The most recent one is a move from my “home.” The amazing part is that when I chose to follow, despite my hesitations, I become stronger. I thnk that is what Cheryl found too. She gained strength as she followed her adventure.
I have only in the last few years found out what is about to lose someone so close to you. My mom is being lost to dementia not death but still a loss. It is hard for me to understand how anyone deals with this type of loss without having faith in God. Cheryl made an attempt in her own way and was successful by the worlds standards in dealing with the circumstance. We all have to, or will have to face some losses in life. I want to face them with the hope of God.
I always overpack! I want to have everything I might need. I would have taken all and more probably but maybe at some point I would have seen the fatality of the weight and only continued with what I need.
Snakes!! That would be my big fear.
The only name change I have made is to Rische! I would do that again in a heartbeat.
My rating would be 4out of 5 stars due to the sexual content. Without that it was a great read.
I also was glad to have read it in its entirety and timely. What’s next?
Nancy, that’s been my only name change too! Totally worth it. 🙂 So glad you shared your thoughts–God has certainly taken you on some unexpected adventures.
I have never read the book but after reading your blog I am going to buy a copy today. It sounds like an amazing book about strength, determination and the courage it takes to push through incredible odds. It sounds like a must read and I can’t wait to dive in.
Stephanie, I came to the website to see if there were any new book club books and saw that you had read this! I have not read the book, but we live right near the Pacific Crest Train, in fact if you say PCT everyone knows what you are talking about. Many of the fun hikes we have taken our sons on cross the PCT and it is always fun to come across a PCT hiker who has been going for a couple of months and to ask about their adventures. The ones we have met, have all hiked it alone, so that is quite common. Kind people leave caches of food for PCT hikers and one of our favorite camp counselors is actually hiking it this year. We are so excited for him! What an adventure! It was fun to read people’s reactions to something that is right in our back yard!