wild – a book that spoke to my soul

I bought this book when it was first published but put off reading it for a long time. I just wasn’t convinced I would love it. I wanted a book that would transport me to another place, entertain me, speak to me. I finally opened the pages of Wild by Cheryl Strayed, and her tale of adventure and self-discovery did all those things.

Wild transported me to the uninhabited paths of the Pacific Crest Trial. It entertained me with fresh and unexpected humour of the author as she trekked through the wilderness alone. And it spoke to me in ways I didn’t expect. I suppose I thought that the book would portray this woman as fearless and powerful, but it actually revealed her vulnerability and how she fought to stay strong.

Let me put it this way. This is a little book that you will want to underline and highlight passages throughout. You will want to scoop up some of Strayed’s most vulnerable and powerful moments and tuck them away in your memory. You will want to carry some of her incredible resiliency with you througout your own journeys, whether they are down desert paths or suburban sidewalks.

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Some of the passages from Wild I loved most:

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. I decided I was safe. I was strong. I was brave.

Cheryl Strayed

When I lay alone and lonely in my tent at night I asked, often out loud: Who is tougher than me? The answer was always the same, and even when I knew absolutely there was no way on earth it was true, I said it anyway: No one.

Cheryl Strayed

I should have known this book would take up permanent residency in my library when I first scrolled through it and noticed this quote on one of the chapter title pages:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

Mary Oliver

It doesn’t matter what type of journey you’re on, my friend. But it does matter what you tell yourself while you’re walking. Do yourself a kindness and read this beautiful book.