I’ve been meaning to read Wild for a long, long time. But what finally got me to read it was the movie, of course.
I won’t see it until I read it.
So read it, it was.
I knew a lot of people liked it and I did, too. But I didn’t love it. It was interesting and I enjoyed reading all about the hiking adventures. But overall I had a hard time relating to the author and many of her choices and that did cloud my view of the book.
I am very much looking forward to the movie, of course.
Karen, I had similar issues with this book. I wrote: “I’ll probably finish listening to this book, but I don’t recommend it. Here’s the plot: Girl has difficult upbringing and a very sad loss. Girl stops making good choices. Girl starts making bad choices: cheating on her husband, not finishing college, doing heroin, divorcing husband. Girl decides to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, but fails to educate herself or properly plan or train for this endeavor. Girl decides to forgive herself for all her bad choices.”
I had such a different reaction! I thought it was hilarious (as soon as she actually starting walking) – I read it on a plane and kept laughing out loud (not something I tend to do, especially not in public.) As well as the humour (I’m a long distance walker and have seen so many of those same mistakes, in myself and others, and have met similar characters along the trails) I enjoyed the layer of hindsight & am so pleased she waited for time & distance before writing the book. I’m also pleased she made the walk just long enough ago that there was no texting or tweeting and she used a traditional printed guidebook & maps, not a GPS gizmo & e-reader.
I loved this book and have recommended to many friends so am enjoying reading your different views. Thanks!
I will say that I read another book by her (Tiny Beautiful Things) and loved loved loved it. So I have nothing against her. Just wasn’t in love with this particular book.
I am glad I was not the only one who didn’t love the character (author)….I collect books of people, both men and women, who write about long distance hiking and she was by far my least favorite. I enjoyed the story….I just didn’t love her.
So interesting to read all these different reactions to the book and author. I loved LOVED her writing, and the idea of doing something really outside the norm/comfort zone to shake up your world and bring you back to what is really essential, and thereby help bring about healing and the ability to move forward positively – those really REALLY resonated with me. I will track down the other book, Karen, thanks for the recommendation!
Sharmon, if you have other books you recommend about long distance hiking, I’d love to see them too.