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Bewildered
What would move you to ditch your life and take off into the wild for six months? For Melbourne woman Laura Waters, it took the implosion of a toxic relationship and a crippling bout of anxiety. Armed with a compass, a paper map and as much food as she could carry, she set out to walk the untamed landscapes of New Zealand?s Te Araroa track, 3000 kilometres of raw, wild, mountainous trail winding from the top of the North Island to the frosty tip of the South Island. But when her walking partner dropped out on the first day, she was faced with a choice: abandon the journey and retreat to the safety of home, or throw caution to the wind and continue on ? alone. She chose to walk on. For six months, she battled not only treacherous mountain ridges and river crossings, but also the demons of self-doubt and anxiety, and the shadow of an emotionally abusive relationship. At the end of Te Araroa (`the long pathway?, as it is translated from Maori) it was the hardearned insights into mental health, emotional wellbeing and fulfilling relationships ? with others as well as with herself ? that were Laura?s greatest accomplishments. She emerged `rewilded?, and it transformed her life.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2019
84 people are currently reading
2049 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
September 2, 2019
If you were to read any article by travel writer Laura Waters (Australian Traveller, Outdoor, Wild), you’d be forgiven for thinking she’s been living outdoors and hiking all her life. A natural storyteller who forges worlds from words, she not only draw you into a landscape, but leaves you feeling as though you’ve walked alongside her.
BeWILDered, her first book, takes all the aspects of good travel writing and layers it with an achingly honest, personal account of the transformative power of spending time walking in wild places.
To compare her book with Cheryl Strayed’s, ‘Wild’, would be doing Laura a disservice. I confess that I found Cheryl’s memoir self indulgent, egotistical and whiney – frankly, I wanted to slap her! Laura’s work is nothing like that.
Laura’s journey along New Zealand’s 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, draws her soul across the country’s extreme landscapes from Cape Reinga at the northernmost point, to The Bluff (and onto Stewart Island) in the south, five months later.
Unlike the thousands who are drawn to the Pacific Crest Trail in the US, it’s estimated that less than 1000 people will complete the full TA (as it’s known to trampers) in 2018-2019.
Encouragingly, Laura’s account doesn’t hold back when it comes to the physical challenges faced whilst traversing terrain that has claimed several lives. The extremes and changeability of the weather, echoed in scree-covered, knife-edge alpine routes with relentless ascents and descents, proves that the TA isn’t the thru-hike for everyone. If anyone was to be inspired by her book to do the TA, they would be in no doubt about how difficult parts of this adventure will be.
However, the purely observational aspects of the trip are not even half the story.
The wealth of this book is not in its vivid wordplay that conjures up a deep sense of place, it’s in the soul baring openness with which she shares her internal journey of self doubt, escape from the lingering shadows of a toxic relationship and her wrestles with the familiar clutches of anxiety.
The bravery needed to undertake the trip, with a looming sense that much of it may be alone, appears insignificant when compared with the bravery needed to share her internal dialogue which at times goes to dark places that most of us keep hidden.
The beauty of BeWILDered is in Laura’s ability to mirror the might, wonder and power of the physical landscape, seemingly effortlessly with her internal conflicts and journey.
The result is a memoir that touched me deeply. One that saw me not only laugh and cry, but helped to shake loose some of my own demons and doubts.
Buy it, read it, gift it.
BeWILDered, her first book, takes all the aspects of good travel writing and layers it with an achingly honest, personal account of the transformative power of spending time walking in wild places.
To compare her book with Cheryl Strayed’s, ‘Wild’, would be doing Laura a disservice. I confess that I found Cheryl’s memoir self indulgent, egotistical and whiney – frankly, I wanted to slap her! Laura’s work is nothing like that.
Laura’s journey along New Zealand’s 3,000 km Te Araroa Trail, draws her soul across the country’s extreme landscapes from Cape Reinga at the northernmost point, to The Bluff (and onto Stewart Island) in the south, five months later.
Unlike the thousands who are drawn to the Pacific Crest Trail in the US, it’s estimated that less than 1000 people will complete the full TA (as it’s known to trampers) in 2018-2019.
Encouragingly, Laura’s account doesn’t hold back when it comes to the physical challenges faced whilst traversing terrain that has claimed several lives. The extremes and changeability of the weather, echoed in scree-covered, knife-edge alpine routes with relentless ascents and descents, proves that the TA isn’t the thru-hike for everyone. If anyone was to be inspired by her book to do the TA, they would be in no doubt about how difficult parts of this adventure will be.
However, the purely observational aspects of the trip are not even half the story.
The wealth of this book is not in its vivid wordplay that conjures up a deep sense of place, it’s in the soul baring openness with which she shares her internal journey of self doubt, escape from the lingering shadows of a toxic relationship and her wrestles with the familiar clutches of anxiety.
The bravery needed to undertake the trip, with a looming sense that much of it may be alone, appears insignificant when compared with the bravery needed to share her internal dialogue which at times goes to dark places that most of us keep hidden.
The beauty of BeWILDered is in Laura’s ability to mirror the might, wonder and power of the physical landscape, seemingly effortlessly with her internal conflicts and journey.
The result is a memoir that touched me deeply. One that saw me not only laugh and cry, but helped to shake loose some of my own demons and doubts.
Buy it, read it, gift it.
August 31, 2019
Bewildered will resonate with anyone who longs for life beyond the daily grind … who yearns to challenge themselves both physically and emotionally, to find out what lies beyond the horizon and what they themselves are really capable of.
I found myself walking right alongside Laura Waters every step of the way as I devoured Bewildered each night, eager to rejoin her journey, and felt emotionally invested in her success. You know a book has tugged at your heartstrings when it reappears in your thoughts throughout the day - this is what Bewildered was like for me, as I hungrily devoured chapters each evening before sleep, rooting for her to banish her fears, slay the demons and emerge triumphant.
Adventure was the main driver for the author, who gave up the corporate world to follow her heart and find how much more she was capable of, even if it scared the hell out of her. She wanted a challenge to push her, as she says, to the “outer limits of being tired, dirty and mildly lost, but hopefully not so radical as to inadvertently kill me. Te Araroa sounded perfect.”
That's a gutsy attitude I can relate to. I absolutely loved the honesty of Bewildered and the way the author digs deep into her heart, ultimately emerging a better version of the person she was at the start of her six-month-long hike. Highly recommended!
I found myself walking right alongside Laura Waters every step of the way as I devoured Bewildered each night, eager to rejoin her journey, and felt emotionally invested in her success. You know a book has tugged at your heartstrings when it reappears in your thoughts throughout the day - this is what Bewildered was like for me, as I hungrily devoured chapters each evening before sleep, rooting for her to banish her fears, slay the demons and emerge triumphant.
Adventure was the main driver for the author, who gave up the corporate world to follow her heart and find how much more she was capable of, even if it scared the hell out of her. She wanted a challenge to push her, as she says, to the “outer limits of being tired, dirty and mildly lost, but hopefully not so radical as to inadvertently kill me. Te Araroa sounded perfect.”
That's a gutsy attitude I can relate to. I absolutely loved the honesty of Bewildered and the way the author digs deep into her heart, ultimately emerging a better version of the person she was at the start of her six-month-long hike. Highly recommended!
August 31, 2019
Melbourne based freelance travel writer has written a book about her journey hiking 3000 kilometres on New Zealand's Te Araroa trail. No mean feat as its a trek to test the mettle of most seasoned hikers. Before taking on this challenge that usually takes on average 5-6 months to complete, Laura had at best only hiked five days continuously.
She was lured by the adventure and an almighty challenge that would take her way outside of her comfort zone. At age 43 Laura was over the mundaneness of her corporate job and felt compelled to leave an unhealthy relationship.
But these were not the only drivers. Laura was fighting off inner demons that would surface occasionally. Concerned the dark clouds of anxiety and self-doubt might eventually consume her soul, Laura turned to the trail.
In BeWILDered Laura openly shares her battle with depression, a human condition many relate to. But this is not the story of a victim. It’s an openly frank account of how Laura, by putting one foot ahead of the other, walked away from a life that was spiraling downwards.
BeWILDered is an emotionally honest, beautifully written story about how one woman determines the extent of her capabilities. It will resonate with anyone who questions where they’re currently at in life.
It's about pushing beyond your comfort zone, leaving behind creature comforts and embracing a simplistic life within nature in its wildest forms.
She was lured by the adventure and an almighty challenge that would take her way outside of her comfort zone. At age 43 Laura was over the mundaneness of her corporate job and felt compelled to leave an unhealthy relationship.
But these were not the only drivers. Laura was fighting off inner demons that would surface occasionally. Concerned the dark clouds of anxiety and self-doubt might eventually consume her soul, Laura turned to the trail.
In BeWILDered Laura openly shares her battle with depression, a human condition many relate to. But this is not the story of a victim. It’s an openly frank account of how Laura, by putting one foot ahead of the other, walked away from a life that was spiraling downwards.
BeWILDered is an emotionally honest, beautifully written story about how one woman determines the extent of her capabilities. It will resonate with anyone who questions where they’re currently at in life.
It's about pushing beyond your comfort zone, leaving behind creature comforts and embracing a simplistic life within nature in its wildest forms.
October 10, 2019
In ‘BeWildered’ it was not long before I found myself thoroughly immersed in Laura Waters’ account of her life’s transformation.
The suffocation she experienced from trying to maintain the pace of contemporary life, which threatened to take her hostage, provides the backdrop for the inciting moment when Waters decided not only to step away from it, but to change direction entirely and embrace ‘the extraordinary.’
As a hiker who has only begun to appreciate the wholistic benefits bestowed by spending time alone in Nature, I do so only from the perspective of someone who has walked a maximum of one-thirtieth of the distance she covered in this astounding 3000 kilometre, five month endeavour.
But her steps are described in exquisite detail--the ever-changing landscapes and climates that open to her—and those perilous moments of risk are indeed white-knuckle, page-grasping rides of narrative.
The magnitude of her journey reveals an internal strength and resilience that will be foreign to many. At her most vulnerable, an unconditional surrender to Nature’s altar, was the key to finding it and allowing it to permeate her life.
Our hubris as a species on this planet has inadvertently led to a culture that sees itself as separated from and superior to Nature, leading to many endemic problems of psychosocial illness and environmental threats.
Waters' story shows that a life worth living is one which recognises this error and takes purposeful steps to redress it.
The suffocation she experienced from trying to maintain the pace of contemporary life, which threatened to take her hostage, provides the backdrop for the inciting moment when Waters decided not only to step away from it, but to change direction entirely and embrace ‘the extraordinary.’
As a hiker who has only begun to appreciate the wholistic benefits bestowed by spending time alone in Nature, I do so only from the perspective of someone who has walked a maximum of one-thirtieth of the distance she covered in this astounding 3000 kilometre, five month endeavour.
But her steps are described in exquisite detail--the ever-changing landscapes and climates that open to her—and those perilous moments of risk are indeed white-knuckle, page-grasping rides of narrative.
The magnitude of her journey reveals an internal strength and resilience that will be foreign to many. At her most vulnerable, an unconditional surrender to Nature’s altar, was the key to finding it and allowing it to permeate her life.
Our hubris as a species on this planet has inadvertently led to a culture that sees itself as separated from and superior to Nature, leading to many endemic problems of psychosocial illness and environmental threats.
Waters' story shows that a life worth living is one which recognises this error and takes purposeful steps to redress it.
September 5, 2019
I just finished reading your book. My goodness I am teary. Your story is so important story on many levels - our conditioning as women in society, human/nature connection, the effect of journeying, mental health and the healing benefits of nature, reconnection with self, as individuals we are enough and always have been. For me so much resonance and many boxes ticked. Thank you 🙏🏿
July 7, 2024
This is an exquisitely written travel book. Having done the more tame Camino de Santiago, and having never really been able to put all the words to that experience, I know how difficult it is to write a memoir like this.
Laura Waters has a lovely voice - a voice that resonates and makes you nod along. Her walk in New Zealand is bewilderingly long - 3,000 km. I don't know if I will ever do that, but Waters makes you feel you are right there with her.
That's the good part.
The part I didn't like was how Waters seems to skirt around the edges of what the blurb describes as a 'toxic' relationship. She tells you, but doesn't really tell you what happened. So, I was a bit puzzled what she was running away from and towards on this walk. A little bit more background and history of who Laura was would have helped. Without that context, you are left with a walk, anxiety and fears, and some romantic interest.
Laura Waters has a lovely voice - a voice that resonates and makes you nod along. Her walk in New Zealand is bewilderingly long - 3,000 km. I don't know if I will ever do that, but Waters makes you feel you are right there with her.
That's the good part.
The part I didn't like was how Waters seems to skirt around the edges of what the blurb describes as a 'toxic' relationship. She tells you, but doesn't really tell you what happened. So, I was a bit puzzled what she was running away from and towards on this walk. A little bit more background and history of who Laura was would have helped. Without that context, you are left with a walk, anxiety and fears, and some romantic interest.
September 28, 2019
Having walked the Routeburn track back in 1978, I was thrilled to hear about this book. I had to order it as the bookshop didn’t have it in stock but it was well worth waiting for. Although being 20 years younger than me, Laura Waters seems to have exactly the same feelings that I do about this planet, nature, beauty, contentment and fulfilment. I would have happily read this even if it were twice as long. Marvellous.
September 10, 2019
A truly great read. As someone interested in the Te Araroa trail I found it informative, enlightening and inspirational. The openness and honesty in the writing was captivating. I bought it Saturday afternoon and finished it on Sunday - couldn’t put it down! So much more than a book about a long distance hiking trail. Highly recommended.
May 3, 2021
For anyone who loves adventure, has experienced the gripping force of anxiety, and has grown weary of our modern world disconnected from nature, this is a read for you. Triumphant, raw, and beautiful. Unreservedly recommend.
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September 12, 2019Love this book! An epic adventure tale with heart, Laura has interwoven a relatable life story with a truly amazing journey of survival and self-discovery. Highly recommended.
September 11, 2019
A fantastic read! Laura has written with such honesty and insight about her amazing adventure. Truly inspiring!
September 12, 2019
Laura is a consummate writer, taking us on a rich journey both into the wilds of New Zealand and the edgy meanderings of her head and heart.
An adventure story is nothing without an insight into the author and Laura leaves herself bare, a proverbial open book for the reader to dive into as we learn about the anxiety and uncertainty that preceded the journey, and threatened to thwart it. Equally, we discover the capacity of wilderness and challenge to bring about change as Laura goes through somewhat of an epiphany in slow-motion.
I like books that in the same page make me choke up and laugh out loud. Bewildered does that and more.
An adventure story is nothing without an insight into the author and Laura leaves herself bare, a proverbial open book for the reader to dive into as we learn about the anxiety and uncertainty that preceded the journey, and threatened to thwart it. Equally, we discover the capacity of wilderness and challenge to bring about change as Laura goes through somewhat of an epiphany in slow-motion.
I like books that in the same page make me choke up and laugh out loud. Bewildered does that and more.
September 17, 2019
Laura Waters put her life on hold for five months to follow the 3,000km Te Araroa trail, which traces the length of New Zealand. Bewildered is her account of how she left the security of her safe but unfulfilling job and the ghosts of a horribly toxic relationship to follow the trail through river, beach, jungle, and mountain. While I loved her descriptions of the beautiful, rugged, and often mercurial New Zealand landscape, her personal journey is even more compelling. Waters writes with honesty, openness, and a deep insight (gained, in part, from the trail) about her struggles. This book is an excellent example of the healing power of nature.
September 8, 2019
If you’ve ever wanted to get away from it all, this book is likely to push you to make a decision. Following Laura’s ups and downs as she tackles the arduous Tearoa trail in NZ has you crossing your fingers that she will find her way and her strength. Loved reading this story.
November 26, 2019
How to do this genre well. Sometimes when you're reading honest accounts of someone's journey it's hard to empathise - with the warts and all you get the bits you'd rather skim over. But it also means you get the best bits and it feels refreshingly real and uncurated. There's not much preaching about why everyone should do this or the fundamental lack of appreciation of privilege. This is a very personal book and it resonated.
November 26, 2019
This is an honest, heartfelt tale of adventure that reads like a novel. If you want a sense of what it may be like to push your personal boundaries and discover hidden pieces of yourself this book will take you there. All the beauty of the New Zealand wilderness is captured so perfectly in Laura’s words. You will feel like you are right alongside her for the journey.
September 14, 2019
Fantastic book - it is a journey that has it high & low points along with profound insight. The author raised many critical personal and interpersonal issues along with reflecting on lifestyle "values" or "costs" that are often damaging our self worth. It is a book that I would like my family to read because they would each learn something unique to their situation ... which, in real terms, makes the book important : )
October 9, 2022
For anyone struggling to find happiness or their place in the world this is a thought provoking read. It also describes how anxiety can take over and lead you in directions you really don’t want to go.
September 16, 2019
Absolutely fabulous book. I finished this in 48 hours. Laura spoke to me on a deep and meaningful level. She put in writing everything I feel at the age of 23. I cannot recommend this enough!
November 10, 2019
Great read! Completely inspired by Laura and her journey. The TA is something I’ve been thinking about for a while now. But all the reasons not to keep creeping in ... now I’m thinking... maybe I can do this - alone. Thank you, Laura.
November 23, 2019
My kind of book! Full of inspiration, helped along by the adventures of the TA in beautiful New Zealand. If this doesn’t make you want to drop everything and swing a pack on to head for the hills, I don’t know what will!
April 27, 2021
I found this book relatable in many ways and I enjoyed the journey. It's beautifully written.... I feel inspired!
June 21, 2021
Hiking memoir that had me wanting to drop everything, pack my bag and just go. Inspiring.
May 19, 2022
I absolutely loved this book. Once of the best books I’ve ever read
September 30, 2023
Ok I feel like I definitely need to do something this crazy before I die.
September 14, 2019
Inspiring and engaging. I liked the way Laura wove her relationship background into the hiking.
I want to go on a challenge like this that is not only physical but mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging.
I am very pleased to have discovered this book and am a proud owner.
Thank you Laura
I want to go on a challenge like this that is not only physical but mentally, emotionally and spiritually challenging.
I am very pleased to have discovered this book and am a proud owner.
Thank you Laura
November 3, 2019
Wow, I could not put this book down. It is a mix of personal journey, adventure and a deep look at the human spirit. If you ever feel you need to find your voice, or love reading about people that take risks to do just that this is a book for you.
March 11, 2022
Really enjoyed it - easy to read. Wish the South Island part wasn’t as quick as it was. It felt a little rushed.
March 13, 2022
Easy read, interesting journey.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews