Book Club/Movie Club Guide: Wild

Book/Movie: Wild

Author: Cheryl Strayed

Movie Rating: R

Genre: Drama, Biography/Memoir, Health & Fitness/Sports & Recreation, Self-Discovery/Change

Places Featured: Pacific Crest Trail, United States

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, a memoir by Cheryl Strayed, debuted in 2012 and quickly became a #1 New York Times Bestseller–being selected by Oprah’s Book Club often helps. (We have a book review for Wild if you want to see more about what we thought.)

Before the book was even officially published, Reese Witherspoon’s production company had purchased the movie rights to Wild and just two years later, in 2014, the movie (starring Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl) debuted. (We liked the movie, too–check out our Wild movie review.)

Both the book and the movie are now included on many lists of favorite travel books and favorite travel movies–especially for those who love adventure and nature, inspiration to go on a journey, and those looking for healing. (Yup, we included both the book and the movie on our list of 20 Travel Books and 20 Travel Movies About Self Discovery, too.)

Since both the book and the movie have a lot in them–they’re great for a book club or a movie club. See below for our suggested Wild discussion questions and tips!

Suggested Wild book discussion questions:

Why did Cheryl feel the need to take this hike? Have you ever felt that kind of inspiration or need?
At one point, Cheryl tells herself, “I was not meant to be this way, to live this way, to fail so darkly.” It’s a moment of self-criticism and despair. And yet, some belief in herself exists in that statement. How do the things Cheryl believes about herself throughout the memoir, even during her lowest moments, help or hurt her on the PCT? (from the Oprah Book Club)
Once deep in the wilderness, Cheryl feels something she describes as “radical aloneness.” What does she mean by this, and how did her surroundings and situation amplify this feeling? (from Oprah’s Book Club)
What did you think of Cheryl’s mother and her relationship with Cheryl? Cheryl obviously deeply loves and respects her mother, but is also honest about her shortcomings. How does that honesty affect your thoughts about her?
How would you define Cheryl’s relationship with Paul and how did her thoughts about it evolve throughout the hike?
Strayed is quite forthright in her description of her own transgressions, and while she’s remorseful, she never seems ashamed. Is this a sign of strength or a character flaw? (from Princeton Book Review)
Cheryl chose her own last name. What do you think of her choice? Why did she choose it? Does it fit? What would you choose as your last name?
Cheryl’s pack (called Monster) is an obvious metaphor for her life and this hike–she starts off with too much weight on her pack and she must let go of many things along the way (both physically and mentally). Why do you think she makes the choices she does of what to get rid of? What would you carry with you and refuse to never give up?
What do you think of taking on this kind of adventure alone? Is that safe to do? What about the hours of silence?
The title could have many meanings; why do you think it was selected?

Suggested Wild movie discussion questions:

The movie opens with Cheryl losing a toenail…and a boot. What did you think this meant for the rest of the movie?
In some ways, this is a different role for Reese Witherspoon. What did you think of her? Why do you think she wanted this role so badly?
Reese Witherspoon has said that the sex scenes are the most difficult scenes she has ever filmed. Critics have actually said that the sex scenes are somewhat gratuitous and unneccessary to the story. What do you think?
Loss is a major theme of the movie, what things has Cheryl lost and how does she deal with that loss?
One of the (many) noteworthy quotes from the movie is “”My mother used to say something that drove me nuts, ‘There’s a sunrise and a sunset every day, and you can choose to be there for it. You can put yourself in the way of beauty.'” What are your thoughts on that quote and how it relates to Cheryl’s journey? Were there other quotes that struck you?
Even from the beginning, Cheryl is unsure of herself and her ability to finish the hike. What do you think helped her carry on?
Did you notice the red fox that followed Cheryl? What do you think the red fox symbolized?
When Cheryl crosses the Bridge of the Gods, she has come to the end of her journey both physically and emotionally. Was that abrupt or do you believe she really did find her way?
Screenwriters Magazine advises screenwriters against using flashbacks because they take you out of the main plot, are an amateur/non-creative way to move a story forward, and may take moments away from the main actors. Did that happen in this movie?
Is this a movie made for a strictly female audience? Why or why not?

Suggested questions for those that have both read the book and seen the movie:

Cheryl’s fellow hikers play a large role in her experience on PCT. How do you think they contribute to her grieving and healing process? In what ways, beyond providing practical aid, did they enable her to finish her hike? (from Oprah’s Book Club) Did you think they were well-represented in the movie?
The story is that Cheryl Strayed actually sent the book herself to Reese Witherspoon, because she saw Reese Witherspoon as the only actress that could portray her. Do you agree? Who else could have/should have played Cheryl?
The Bridge of Gods played a big role in both the book and the movie. What does it symbolize for Cheryl?
There is both a negative and positive side to this story in both the book and the movie. (Cheryl’s downward spiral and her path towards growth on the PCT.) Was there a balance between the two? Did one medium capture those stories better than the other?
Some say Wild is just another entry into a long list of stories about privileged women somehow giving up on their lives, going on a self-selected difficult search for themselves, and then writing a self-absorbed book so they can further focus on themselves. Thoughts?

Other suggestions for your discussion:

Go on a hike together! Do some research on options in the area (remember to take into account your group’s health and physical abilities) and take your group out to have your discussion on the top of a mountain, at a picnic lunch, or somewhere outside.
Imagine you’re on the trail and only eat food you could have carried with you that doesn’t require any cooking. (Here are some ideas from the Pacific Crest Trail Association.)
Create a photo slideshow of photos from the Pacific Crest Trail (and specifically Cheryl’s hike) to display while you talk.
Have everyone bring one book they would bring with them (and refuse to burn) if they were hiking the PCT. Then have everyone exchange books and take home to read.
Have a fun club photo shoot of the footwear everyone is wearing to your meeting to emulate the book’s famous cover. (Bonus: don’t tell the group in advance…then you’ll really get a wide variety of shots!)