Alone in Wonderland by Christine Reed

Alone in Wonderland by Christine Reed is a memoir that recounts the author's solo journey along the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), a legendary 2,650-mile long hiking trail stretching from Mexico to Canada. The book is both a personal narrative of Reed’s physical and emotional journey and a reflection on her personal growth, struggles, and discoveries along the trail.

In the memoir, Reed shares her experiences of setting out alone on the PCT, a decision born out of a desire for independence and self-discovery. Along the way, she encounters the challenges of the harsh wilderness, including difficult weather conditions, physical exhaustion, and moments of self-doubt. Despite the loneliness and difficulties she faces, Reed also experiences a profound connection to nature, finding moments of peace and insight during her time on the trail.

Throughout Alone in Wonderland, Reed explores themes of solitude, resilience, and transformation. The title of the book refers to the "wonderland" she encounters during her hike—both the natural beauty of the landscape and the internal landscapes she navigates as she pushes herself physically and emotionally. As she treks through forests, mountains, and deserts, Reed reflects on her own identity, the power of the natural world, and the healing and clarity that comes from immersing oneself in the wilderness.

The memoir is not just about the logistics and the challenges of hiking the PCT but also about the journey of self-realization that unfolds as Reed faces both the external obstacles of nature and the internal struggles of her personal life. It is a deeply introspective account of one woman’s adventure, capturing the beauty of the natural world, the transformative power of solitude, and the profound personal insights that come from spending time in the wilderness.

Excitingly, we were lucky enough to have Christine join us for this conversation! She reached out to Erin on Instagram when Erin cross-listed the Book Club list on an account she and Christine both followed. For the meeting, Christine tuned in remotely from the road, and we were able to dive into questions that we all had for her. Like in the book, Christine was very vulnerable about her experiences, and she discussed openly about the critique that she received on her book (which can be viewed through her Goodreads ratings).

While we, as a club, may have agreed with some of those negative Goodreads opinions (was her journey truly alone if she was always trying to fill the loneliness with other men on trail?), Christine's perspective was refreshing to hear. Her travel account was incredibly raw, and she didn't hesitate to share some of the awkwardness of her intimate encounters.

Overall, we discussed what it means to be lonely versus being alone, what it means to be independent, and what it's like to travel solo as a woman. After Christine left the conversation, we also chatted about how well the juxtaposition was with both her AT hike and Wonderland hike being discussed in the same book; most group members enjoyed that aspect.

Group mean rating: 7.1/10