I don't usually read memoirs. I find them dull, difficult to push through and usually quite boring. A coworker suggested I read this Wild after she completed it. Like usual, I was pretty skeptical. In the beginning it was such an overwhelming read. The narrator, Cherly Strayed lost her mother to cancer, then proceeded into a tailspin of her own. She not only pushed the man she loved, her dear husband out of her life, but she also was jumping into the sack with just any man that had a pulse. Then, to top it all off she started using heroine. It was all over the top for me, she had a rough childhood and now being just barely a grown up she was making her adult life horrid too. I had a hard time relating to her, especially to her reaction of losing her mother. Then, by some crazy notion or blind fate, on a shopping trip she notices a book about the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). She ends up buying the trail guide and planning to hike the entire trip, alone to help get her life on track. Basically, in a nutshell, that's what this book is about. Its set mainly on and around the Pacific Crest Trail, over the eleven hundred miles of trails from the Mojave Desert to the state of Washington. Writing is raw, rough and real. Sometimes its depressing, other times its uplifting and it even made shed a tear or two. Its told in a first person narrative from the perspective of our brave 24 year old broken woman, Cheryl Strayed. 
 Cheryl is a lost soul. When her mother lost her battle with cancer when Cheryl was only twenty-two her life fell apart. I didn't really resonate with her grief, but as I watched her ruin her life and push the people who cared for her the most I couldn't help but pity her. I thought her preplanning for the hike was fairly amazing, considering the state she was in. I felt like she was a very brave woman, because I don't think I could ever do what she did, hiking that many miles along. At times she made me laugh, but more often she made me sad and want to cry. I enjoyed reading her story and felt she had to be a good person because so many people along the way showed her kindness. I don't think this would have happened if she didn't radiate something good. 
 This book had a moderate clip to it. It did take me longer than usual to get through it. I enjoyed the writing and Cheryl's quest to find herself. The descriptions of the wilderness and how sometimes the story flipped back in time to fill in certain events in her life added clarity to her situation and depth to her character. There was a certain scene about her mother's horse, Lady, that totally had me in tears. That was indeed an extremely POWERFUL scene and I will not be able to quite thinking of it for a very long time. One aspect I really enjoyed was how Cheryl found solace in books. It was nice to see how even after a full day of hiking, most nights she still looked forward to siting in a chair, inside her tent with her feet up getting lost in a great book. 
 I found this story a little depressing and sometimes difficult to read. In the end though the book was inspirational and totally gives hope to those who may be similarly struggling. Even though it wasn't exactly the type of book I'd usually pick up and read I'm super glad I gave it a chance. It was well worth the time. I'd recommend this to people who are interested in hiking, The Pacific Crest Trail and outdoor readers. I'd also venture to say those readers looking for a boost or some inspiration, should definitely pick this one up, it certainly will boost your spirits.