Wild at Heart

by Aliénor le Gouvello

From the moment French-born Alienor encountered a pair of wild horses in the Australian outback, she was transfixed. Fiercely loved by some and considered a scourge by others, brumbies have a complicated place in Australian culture and history. Inspired to celebrate their character, Alienor tamed three brumbies and teamed up with them to conquer Australia's longest trek.

Wild At Heart follows Alienor and her horses on a three-year journey stretching an extraordinary 5330 kilometres from Healesville in Victoria to Cooktown in tropical Far North Queensland. Through her travels across some of Australia's most spectacular terrain, battling isolation and the elements, she built a profound bond with her horses and made life-changing discoveries where she least expected.
Featuring stunning photography from world-renowned adventure photographer Cat Vinton, Wild at Heart is a quintessentially Australian story of breathtaking beauty and indomitable spirit.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 30, 2021

Reviews

[Alda Saldan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild at Heart describes the long trek along the Australian eastern coast that Alienor le Gouvello completed with her three tamed brumbies (Roxanne, Cooper and River) and her dog Fox. The Bicentennial National Trail, one of the longest walking trail in the world with its 5330 km, is a challenge for humans and horses, and Alienor documents in her memoir many of the difficulties encountered: from the strenuous exertion required to complete the steep sections in the trails, to the tropical and sub-tropical climate in Queensland, plus those unexpected problems that always happen. But together with all the struggles to complete the journey, there are the wild beauty of those remote areas of Eastern Australia, the growing bond between Alienor and her brumbies, and the people she meets along her journey. While reading I found myself checking her progress along the trail on a map, and growing more and more interested about the national parks and places described (some of those I wish I'll be able to see one day).
It's an inspiring story, one destined to change Alienor's life even in ways she had probably not imagined at the start of her journey, and something different to read for us living frenetic lives in urban jungles. The memoir comes with amazing photos taken by Cat Vinton along the trail, in a beautiful edition by Affirm Press: a gem for everyone who loves the Australian wilderness.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic memoir of the most gruelling endurance trail of 5330 kilometres through Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, Australia by a true lady Robinson Crusoe with her 3 brumbies captured from the Guy Fawkes National Park and trained by her for more than a year before she embarked on this epic journey, enduring every possible type of adversity and weather condition possible.

This is an incredibly easy read documenting a truly amazing adventure, which belies belief that a young French woman could achieve alone, when so few have finished this epic trek - without a doubt testament to three beautiful stoic brumbies, without whom it’s doubtful she’d have completed the journey.

The books has some absolute exquisite photographs not only of the intrepid author Alienor but the Australian Bush and the three magnificent brumbies, geildings Cooper and River and mare Roxanne and loyal companion dog Fox taken by Cat Vinton who joins the trek for a short period of time. The photos don’t depict the extreme heat, cold or torrential rain experienced by the author and her four legged companions but for any Australian who knows how harsh the Australian Bush can be, the photos speak volumes.

Recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a book about the resilience of the human spirit.

[Kay Parsons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a great account of a 5330km trek to highlight the plight of the Australian brumby. The author did not succumb to the trap of filling pages with any of the humdrum of her everyday life on the trail. Instead, she wrote about the highlights, especially about so many people who supported her; and she wrote about the difficulties, including physical injuries and mental stress; and the need to take a break, not for a much-needed rest, but to earn enough money to continue on. For anyone who has ever had a romantic notion of trekking up Australia's eastern coast, with or without animal or human companions, read this first to understand the daunting trail and personal hardships.

On another note, I would love to see a book about Ms le Gouvello's work and life in the outback communities.

[Robyn Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Only a person who loves animals the way this brave lady does could do this gruelling trek. She is braver than brave, especially when the wild brumbies come near her three beautiful horses and she contracts Ross River Fever and still she gets up and gets going. Without help from people who have followed her on the internet it would have been an impossibility. The farmers who left their gates unlocked so she could go through their property and other people who offer her a bed and meal for the night were an incredible help. I read 'Wild' by Cheryl Strayed where she travelled the Pacific Crest Trail in the US which was incredible but I loved Wild at Heart because it is based in Australia. Loved this book!

[Jacinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A lovely memoir from Alienor le Gouvello, describing her journey along the Bicentennial National Trail (5330km) up the east coast of Australia with her three brumbies, Roxanne, Cooper and River and her dog Fox (when he was allowed). Most interesting is her love of the brumbies and the bond that they develop and share as they travel north, the people that she meets along the way and the small acts of kindness help her to achieve her goal of finishing this journey. The photography in the book is amazing and really helps bring the story to life.

[Kim Woodland · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big-hearted adventure story about a young woman, three brumbies and "dingo mongrel" Fox trekking Australia's Bicentennial National Trail from Healesville (Victoria) to Cooktown (Queensland). Alienor's love for her brumbies - Roxanne, Cooper and River - and for dog Fox is obvious throughout. She guides her readers to understand how incredible brumbies are and how strong the human-brumby bond can be. The three photo-insert sections in this book are astonishingly good.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author travelled 5330km from Healesville to Cooktown on the Bicentennial National Trail with three brumbies she trained herself. A brave woman who faced all sorts of challenges including health issues along the way.
Sadly the writing/translation/both jarred with short sentences and a number of grammatical errors and typos. A shame as it's a fascinating story. Three stars for the actual tale.

[Mary Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Photos are fantastic. While I enjoyed the book and the difficulties the author overcame, I was continually concerned about her decision to take Fox, knowing that dogs are forbidden on the Trail. This could have put the future of the trail in jeopardy. Arrogance?
I would have liked to have heard more about the many coordinators who assist people doing the trail and possibly their reaction to Fox. It would also be interesting to have feedback from the National trail organisation.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aliénor's epic journey has to be read to be believed. I love the way she describes the beautiful, vast country she covers. Battling wild weather, isolation, and illness, she makes lifelong friends along the way, and shares her love of Brumbies with everyone she meets. The book reads like a journal and includes some of the stunning photographs taken by Cat Vinton.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's amazing what she did, and really interesting to read her thoughts and experiences, but how it was written didn't entice me, and I found it a bit lacking, like there were bits that either wasn't finished or should have just been left out all in all. But definitely Kudos for her doing it!!

[Sophie Hogg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting recount of the horseback journey along the old trail.
Felt more like a diary than a book at times - could have used some better editing.
A little basic, but a light read and an enjoyable one for an evening.

[Annie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing lady, amazing animals and an amazing story. Very hard book to put down.

If you love horses, you will definitly appreciate this lady and love her horses even more.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of horses, adventurous spirits and the BiCentennial Trial, this is a must read. Loved the descriptions of the horses, the countryside, the people she meets and her own feelings.

[Erin Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jen]

DNF

[Melissa Stretton]

I don't rate memoirs but I highly recommend reading this book. I had a great time reading this book. 🐎

[Anita Poteri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written! Alienor pulls you in on her adventures. What an inspiration, story of bavery, I couldn't put it down.

[Water Moon · Rating 2 out of 5]

What Aliénor achieved is amazing. However, I don't think she's a natural writer. This book was not particularly interesting and a bit flat.

[Dylan Mraz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really beautiful memoir of Alienor's journey of 5330km across Australia. The connection with her horses, land, and the Australian people was really genuine and heartfelt.

[Rebecca Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wonder