Becoming Wild: Living the Primitive Life on a West Coast Island

by Nikki van Schyndel

Becoming Wild is a fascinating account of two people’s dream of reconnecting with nature during a year and a half adventure in British Columbia’s oastal wilderness. After years of honing their skills in survival techniques, trapping, and naturalist studies, this pair of intrepid adventurers set ff to find their place in the wilderness while surviving the harsh realities of living (and learning) off the land.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about the specific plants, wildlife, and natural environments the team encountered during their journey. The descriptions and details made me feel a part of the story and created a connection between myself and the author’s experiences. She subtly included survival details and anecdotes about failures and successes, along with personal insights made at the time. Nikki also touched on environmental issues as she experienced the effects of living off the land first-hand and shared her personal thoughts on the importance of the role of nature in our lives.

A beautiful quote that encapsulates one of the overarching themes in this book is:

“In seeking ‘oneness with nature,’ I forgot that we are also one with each other, and one with the universe.”

– Nikki van Schyndel

Finally, through trial and error and in-depth personal and spiritual growth, the couple realize that their journey isn’t about changing into the people they want to become but is actually about letting go of everything they aren’t.

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