Book Review of Into the Abyss: An Extraordinary True Story by Carol Shaben (2014) in Paperback

Are you ready for a wild ride of survival, human endurance, and incredible willpower? Then buckle up and get ready to read “Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail” by Cheryl Strayed.

From the first page, Strayed’s memoir takes you through the ups and downs of her 1,100-mile solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. After losing her mother to cancer and falling into a downward spiral of addiction and reckless behavior, Strayed decides to take a chance and set out on a journey to rediscover herself.

Throughout the book, we see Strayed push herself to the limit, facing all sorts of obstacles along the way – from blistered feet and hunger pangs to rattlesnakes and dangerous river crossings. But through it all, she never loses sight of her goal: to reach the end of the trail and find the strength to keep moving, both physically and mentally.

One of the things that really sets “Wild” apart is Strayed’s raw, honest writing. She doesn’t sugarcoat anything or try to make herself look better than she is – instead, she lays it all out on the table, flaws and all. It’s refreshing to read a memoir that doesn’t try to present a perfect picture of the author’s life, but instead embraces the messiness and complexities of being human.

But don’t be fooled – “Wild” isn’t all seriousness and heavy emotions. There are plenty of moments of humor and lightness sprinkled throughout the book, too. From the quirky fellow hikers Strayed meets along the way to her own silly antics (like accidentally setting fire to her boot), there are plenty of laughs to be had amidst the more serious moments.

As someone who loves the great outdoors, I also appreciated how well Strayed captures the beauty of the Pacific Crest Trail. Her descriptions of the landscapes she encounters are both poetic and evocative, and you can practically smell the pine trees and feel the sun on your skin as you read.

At its core, “Wild” is a testament to the incredible strength and perseverance of the human spirit. Strayed’s journey is a reminder that even when life throws everything it has at us, we have the power to keep going and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.

Overall, I highly recommend “Wild” to anyone looking for a riveting memoir that will inspire and entertain in equal measure. So grab a copy, pack your backpack, and join Cheryl Strayed on the adventure of a lifetime. Who knows – maybe it’ll even inspire you to take on your own wild journey.
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Price: $10.99
(as of Mar 25, 2023 03:31:31 UTC – Details)