An enchanting debut, brimming with marvels! We embark on a captivating journey with the odyssey of Aubry Tourvel, the protagonist who stumbles upon a mystical puzzle ball. While her siblings toss their treasured possessions into a well, aiming to snag wishes, Aubry detours. Opting to safeguard her newfound gem, she sets in motion a sequence of events. Mere days later, a chilling scene unfolds – Aubry's life begins to ebb away right at the heart of the family dining tableau. Swift medical intervention stems the crimson tide, yet the wake-up call sets her on an escapade beyond the city's edge. Aubry then realizes that movement alone keeps her alive and must keep moving and traveling to survive.

The narrative, bedecked with fantastical hues, is a symphony of self-discovery stretching across the tapestry of an entire lifetime. Amidst sweeping panoramas and ceaseless exploits, the story weaves an unquenchable thirst for exploration that snared my attention like quicksand. Though bittersweet in moments, it is an uplifting saga of solitude and the ache for belonging, all adorned in eloquent prose. The tale evokes emotion, crafting a poignant narrative that entranced me from the very outset. The author's imagination spun into Aubrey's exploits, and their finesse breathing life into an extraordinary premise is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Summing it up, this literary gem is a masterpiece of penmanship, and the premise, oh, how I adored it! Wholeheartedly, I absolutely 1000% recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the ARC!

This book almost reads like a classic travel adventure book, probably because it is historical and is very much centered around this original woman, with a fantastical disease exploring a world that doesn't exist anymore.
There were some very nice moments, but it is written in such a way that I had trouble "forgetting" that I was reading. And while there were lots of great things in this novel, I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I think this novel would appeal to people who enjoy early 1900 travel stories, a certain dose of fantastical, and novels like Benjamin Button or A Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar.

** spoiler alert ** Aubry Tourvel is always on the move, constantly leaving, ever arriving. But her mystery illness means she can't ever count on anything, not even being able to see her friends or family for the briefest amount of time which means she can't truly forge connections between herself and others. Can she love anyone? Can anyone love her?

I'm a huge fan of spec fiction, slipstream stories and the like. This book is recommended for fans of VE Schwab's "Addie LaRue", of which I am most assuredly one, and it didn't disappoint. That being said, one of the problems in not having a character be able to connect is that we don't connect either. We may long for Aubry to settle down but the author refuses to let that happen again and again and we, like Aubry, get our hearts broken one too many times. By the end I was resigned to her being unfulfilled - all those libraries and books available to her may be entertaining and enlightening but they can't take the place of friendships and intimacy.

Still, I would definitely recommend. I think the prose is also beautiful and evocative.

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc to review.

"A Short Walk Through a Wide World" by Douglas Westerbeke is a captivating and imaginative debut that weaves together elements of fantasy, adventure, and a touch of magical realism. With its richly detailed world, engaging protagonist, and thought-provoking themes, this novel offers a unique and memorable reading experience.

The story follows Aubry Tourvel, a young woman cursed with a condition that forces her to keep moving in order to stay alive. From the very beginning, the novel draws readers in with its intriguing premise—Aubry's inability to stay in one place for too long creates a sense of urgency and constant motion that permeates the narrative.

Westerbeke's writing is both evocative and vivid, painting a lush and diverse landscape for Aubry's journey. The author's descriptions of various settings, from the Calashino Sand Sea to the Himalayas, are so immersive that they transport readers to these distant places, creating a sense of wonder and adventure.

The character of Aubry Tourvel is complex and well-developed. Her determination to survive and her yearning for connection make her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. As she travels across the globe, readers witness her growth, resilience, and evolving understanding of herself and the world around her. Aubry's quest to find a place she can call home is both inspiring and heartwarming.

The novel also delves into themes of identity, the search for meaning, and the profound impact of human connections. As Aubry encounters various people and cultures, she learns about the diverse ways people find purpose and happiness, and how those values shape their lives.

The blend of magical realism and fantasy elements adds depth to the story, allowing readers to question the boundaries of reality and the possibilities of the unknown. The concept of a curse tied to movement is a unique twist that keeps the narrative engaging and unpredictable.

"A Short Walk Through a Wide World" is a testament to the power of exploration, self-discovery, and the importance of cherishing the journey itself. With its lyrical prose, captivating protagonist, and imaginative world-building, Douglas Westerbeke's debut novel offers a thought-provoking and enchanting reading experience that will stay with readers long after they've turned the final page.

5 ⭐️

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this debut novel by Douglas Westerbeke.

Plot

In 1885, Aubry Tourvel, a nine-year-old girl, discovers a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She tosses it over the fence, only to find it in her backpack. Days later, she starts bleeding to death at the family dinner table. After medical treatment, she flees to the outskirts of the city, realizing that movement is what keeps her alive. She embarks on a lifelong journey, exploring various environments and learning the skills to survive and truly live. However, as she wanders, it becomes clear that the world she encounters may not be as similar as everyone else's. Aubry Tourvel is an independent, hopeful, and longing character who fights her way through a world of wonders to find a place to call home. A Short Walk Through a Wide World is an inspiring story about discovering meaning in a life that seems impossible, reminding us that it's not the destination but the journey that makes us who we are.

The book was really interesting and I was happy that the protagonist finally found a place where she could stay and be happy.

Characters

Aubry

Aubry is the main character. She has a very mystery disease. She can't stay for more than four days at the same place and she can't come back to that place. She is very resilient and brave. She travels the world all alone, she doesn't see her family, she is lonely most of the time, but she doesn't stop, because is her only way of survival.

Side Characters

There are many side characters in this book. The reader knows them when Aubry is traveling for different locations. While they are not very developed, their main purpose is to shape Aubry and make her grow. She learns a lot with this different characters that she mets during her travelers.

Writing

The writing is really good. I really loved the descriptions of the different places Aubry went. I also think the author made a good job in describing her loneliness, it made me feel really sad for her.

World-Building

I love how I could met different parts of the world and different cultures. I think the author also made a very good job showing this.

Final Thoughts

A very emotional read, perfect for the fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

I normally don't enjoy books that take place in the 1800s. But man, this storyline was SO great.

Imagine having to literally outrun a curse....where if you stop moving for too long you die. What a horrid infliction.
My only complaint about this book is that it was slightly confusing at times. It felt like the author didn't always follow order. Outside of that, the book was entertaining, and I wanted to keep reading to find out what hapepns to her!

Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I want to begin by saying I absolutely despised The Invisible Life of Addie Larue. When I read that this book was targeted to an audience that enjoy Addie Larue I was skeptical. However, Douglas Westerbeke gave me everything I was missing. Following Aubry around the world was absolutely disastrous for my heart. Not being able to stay in a place for longer than a few days makes for a very difficult life. I couldn’t begin to imagine living a life of such longing and loneliness.

Loved the story line about a sick girl who needs to travel from place to place in order to keep living. Hard to follow at times because the story didn't really follow a chronological order. Even though Aubrey could only stay in one place for 3 or 4 days, some of these stays went into much greater detail than others. It all just started to run together for me. I was hoping for an explanation of Aubrey's sickness at the end and unfortunately, did not get that. Left a lot to the imagination and lots of unanswered questions for me...did the puzzle ball have something to do with the sickness, what was with all the libraries and how did it all just end? With that being said, I would definitely give Douglas Westerbeke another try if he writes another book. Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader's copy.

“A Short Walk Through a Wide World” by Douglas Westerbeke

3/5

Read as an ARC via NetGalley. Book publishes April 29, 2024.

It’s like “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” did drugs, wrote a diary, and all the pages got shuffled back in a random order. But, like, not in a bad way?

Aubrey Torvel is sick. Not the kind of sick a doctor can cure, though. Sick in a way that only she can fight—by traveling. Aubrey can only stay in a place for 3 days, sometimes 4 if she’s very lucky, before she starts dying again. Rapidly. And so, she walks.

I’ve got to be honest, this…wasn’t my favorite book. The writing was good and the plot had promise, but it just didn’t hit the notes I was hoping for. Like Addie LaRue, Aubrey is a French woman with a curse brought on by an ignorant mistake; said curse also likes to make its presence known by speaking with the respectively cursed person on occasion. So no major points for originality there. Unlike Addie, though, Aubrey is remembered. She’s even something of a legend. And she’s mortal…ish. She can definitely age. The plot itself also deviated from Addie’s (which makes sense, as they’re two entirely separate books by two entirely separate authors), but the overlap between them is difficult to ignore.

The story follows Aubrey’s life as she travels, picking out moments in time to view along the way. It doesn’t really go in any particular order, and that might have to do with Aubrey’s memory itself becoming frayed at the edges. A life spent traveling every few days is bound to start running together, I suppose, but it does make for a slightly chaotic read.

We meet the various people Aubrey encounters, and we see her story retold as she discusses her life with them. For all her interesting adventures, though, I found myself not really having a strong desire to stick with the story. It didn’t suck me in, and I wasn’t overly anxious to pick it up and continue reading. Aubrey is smart and funny, but that didn’t come through for me except in very tiny doses. There were multiple times while I was reading that I felt like the story should be coming to a close, that surely I was almost done, only to look at my progress bar and see that I was 30% done, of 40%, or 70%. It just dragged.

Even the ending didn’t do it for me. There was no real resolution. I’m very much one of those readers who likes to have everything in order before the end—I want to know why things happened, who was involved, and a reasonable expectation of how the characters’ lives ended up. It doesn’t take much; ‘they were cursed by an ancient scroll and then they broke it and everyone lived happily ever after’ is good enough for me. No such luck with this book.

This story’s saving grace, though, was the writing itself. For all the content’s faults, the actual writing was nothing to laugh at. The imagination to come up with Aubrey’s adventures, and the skill to make such an unusual premise come to life in any capacity, is incredible. While lacking the prosaic beauty of Addie LaRue, the depth, detail, and saturation of the scenes in this book are a powerhouse in their own right.

The short version of this review is that the writing was great, but the plot was lacking. I do think that a lot of it has to do with the types of books I usually read; this was a very different type of fantasy story, and it just wasn’t my cup of tea. But, if trippy, speculative lit is your thing, you might really enjoy this book! If you like things wrapped up in neat little bows with all the answers, maybe not so much.

I liked the way the story was written but for me I have a hard time following along when it is constantly feeling like its moving to much to fast as this character has shown by not being able to stay in one spot for more than a few days. I did think it was beautifully written and would recommend for someone who enjoys that story telling aspect.

A collection of stories woven together from a perspective of a woman who is compelled to travel. Whether you think this is a gift or a curse, she can't stay in one place for more than a couple of days. Stories, experiences, and discoveries from around the world help Aubry live the life one could only imagine. But seen from a different perspective, she has no one to claim her own; not a home, not a family.

The story was so well written and engaging. I was curious of learning where she would go next. As a bookworm, I loved the forever library. From a emotional connection, I think I would've wanted to feel more of the yearning she may have had.

Overall, a very well written book and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it. Thank you!

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is unlike anything I've read before. The story is about Aubry, who at a young age is afflicted by a condition that does not allow her to stay in one place for more than a few days. What results is a long journey of her forging connections and then breaking them, which she knows will be inevitable due to her condition. It's a beautiful story that questions what really is important in life- experience, relationships, something else?

The writing style of Westerbeke kept me interested and reading, and seemed poetic at times. I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Avid Reader Press, for the Arc! As someone who has read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, this book caught my attention! It was a magical journey reading this novel, I’ve slowly been reading fantasy novels, and the imagery was absolutely beautiful.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke follows Aubry Tourvel, who finds a puzzle ball and, when her sisters are throwing precious items of theirs into a well in the hopes of procuring wishes, decides to keep her item instead. Afterward, she falls gravely ill, contorting and coughing up blood, and the only cure is to move, always move, and never return to places she has already travelled.

Obviously, the book has an intriguing concept to it--what an interesting idea for a novel!--and I wanted to keep reading to find out what Aubry did in her travels, what was the purpose behind them, and if she would ever get to stop before running out of places to discover. There are mysteries and oddities that only she can experience, like libraries deep underground, stocked with food to eat and books to read even if the surroundings are jungles or lava, with doors opening in one corner of the world and spitting her out in another country entirely, and there are even strange creatures she can hardly describe that others would believe impossible.

The descriptions are lush and rich, and even though this writing style isn't usually the type I enjoy, I found the book very addictive to read, helped along by the short chapters. The characters that Aubry meets in her odyssey spanning decades are somehow captivating even though by necessity they cannot be known for very long. I really felt for them, and for Aubry, too, when she had to leave them behind.

It's a book full of partings and sorrow but also, somehow, rife with hope, too.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Breathtaking, warm, and quite bloodied. This is one of those books that catches in your throat - and I, for one, am glad.

“A Short Walk Through a Wide World” is what I would describe as an adventure read. It is the type of book that people who love to experience and immerse themselves in different cultures and places would enjoy. I would agree that it is written in a similar vein as “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue,” but I would argue that it is more place oriented than people oriented, as the story revolves around Aubry and her journeys, with the people she encounters taking less of the focus.

I really liked that this book focussed on places and experiences that are more unique and less talked about than the mainstream locations in many books. It was obvious that Westerbeke did plenty of research to pull together a novel that travels through such a vast array of cultures and places, especially when they are not your typical tourist attractions.

As for what I didn’t like, I’m not a huge fan of unfinished business and loose ends. I know it is common for books of this nature to leave certain elements in the hands of “fate” or just being beyond explanation, but I find that theme often leaves me less content at the end of a book because I’m still seeking out answers!

Overall, it was a decent read, if at some times a little slow, with a lot of fun experiences to immerse yourself in, and I would recommend it for anyone who wants to go on an out of the ordinary, preternatural escapade.

Charming fantasy that creates an interesting combination of the imaginary and the real. The trip through the world is full of memorable characters and images. While some may complain, I think that the lack of any clear explanation of the enchantment adds to the sense of wonder in the novel.

A stunning debut, filled with wonder, A Short Walk Through A Wide World follows the story of Aubry Tourvel, a woman plagued by a mysterious illness that prevents her from remaining in the same place for any period of time, thus beginning her lifelong journey to the farthest reaches of the world.

The story was marketed for fans of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and while I often don’t take stock in book comparisons, this time it struck absolutely true! The novel, while filled with fantasy elements; from the incurable illness, to the questions surrounding the appearance of mysterious doors, at its heart is simply a coming of age story set across an entire lifetime. The book, filled with sweeping landscapes and constant adventure, permeates an overarching sense of wanderlust that made me unable to put it down. Whilst heart wrenching at times, its ultimately an uplifting tale of loneliness and a longing for a home, written in beautiful prose, creating a poignant and emotive read that is captivating from start to finish.

Heartfelt, adventurous, and bittersweet, this book is perfect for fantasy and non-fantasy readers alike, celebrating both literature and travel, and the importance of human connection.

"And then?" asks Sophie. "Did you go farther?"
"Yes."
"And farther?"
"Yes."
And even farther after that?"
"And even farther after that."

Poignant and practical, A Short Walk Through A Wide World unspools the world beneath your feet,laying out the vivid and sparse, the bustling and the remote, until one feels that, they too, have walked it themselves and could bring to memory the smell of Indian spice markets, glacial rivers, feeling the rocky steppes and hot, burning sand of the African desert. Trekking across impossible places with impossible odds, you can't help but see and feel, rejoice and lament alongside determined Aubery as she sets off to forestall an impossible illness, and finds the paths she takes will take her farther than she ever thought possible.

Beautifully written, expertly crafted, this book is not for the heart that easily bruises. The journeys Aubery travels on, and the different people who encounter her, are often as sorrowing as they are sweet, and the reality of struggling to grasp what life you can before it too, is torn from your hand, was all at once harrowing, joyful, despairing and courageous.

Bittersweet and enduring, this story will captivate travelers and storytellers alike, bringing you to the cusp of the world and revealing it's beauty and brokenness.

This is one of those stories that sticks with you long after the last page. Beautifully written, and heart wrenching- we get an in-depth look on not just our character but the world. The longing and loneliness and yet the joy and magic within these pages- an absolutely immersive reading experience.