Thank you to the author Douglas Westerbeke, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of A SHORT WALK THROUGH A WIDE WORLD. All views are mine.

<i>She tells ... all she has learned about the kindness of others: that she survived on charity for a long time, that she received the most generosity from the poorest homes, the best trash from the richest....</i> Loc.653

Like the publishers claims is this book's predecessors, Addie LaRue and Life of Pi, this book ends on a nonsensical note that doesn't appear to keep with the narrative. A few other technical issues aside, I find most of this book to be an enchanting read. From infancy, Aubry suffers from the unspeakable condition of never being able to remain in one place without becoming ill unto death. Her parents move her around to kep her alive, when she is a child, but at too young an age, she becomes responsible for her own fate.

All during my reading, I asked myself what I would do if I never again were able to experience the familiarity and stability of home? As much as I am a homebody, I would surely perish. Each time Aubry scrambled around, her body dying, crying out for a boat that could take her somewhere new-- my heart broke. I kept wondering-- surely, she will run out of places to run? Surely this world is wide enough that it would be impossible? I really enjoyed the journey of this story!

<i>[D]iscovery lies where no one is looking.</i> Loc.1541

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. The idea of someone who starts dying whenever she stops moving for too long is very compelling for a story! Hope he makes the most of it! (edit: He really does!)

2. The world through this character's perspective is truly fascinating. I love how the author builds the world and the main character simultaneously, which seems natural, given the character's condition. Loc.653

3. I love the lessons about depending on charity versus self-reliance. Loc.680

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. This story really emphasizes the role of grief in developing who we are and how we make decisions. <i>She dreamed of her sisters, terrible dreams, of Pauline and Sylvie, playing games at home while she watched them through a window. She dreamed of her mother cooking an elaborate Christmas dinner she would never eat, of sitting on her father’s lap while he talked to others, unaware she was there. Only later, in memory, did she appreciate what she had. She wished she’d been a better daughter, a better sister. She wished she had them back. She’d have given anything, but had nothing to give.</i> Loc.755

2. At one point, the story kind of disintegrates for me. It feels as though Westerbeke just didn't know what to do with his story any longer. Felt painted into a corner. Magical realism can do that– how does the writer procede without violating their own world's rules? So they introduce a story element that conveniently doesn't, and also propels the story forward. These are deus ex machina and some readers can't hang with them. I couldn't hang with this one, and the second half of the book was disappointing for me. More Addie LaRue than Life of Pi.

Rating: 🩹🩹🩹🩹🩹 terrible symptoms
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: May 8 '24
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
🪄 magical realism
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 family stories, family drama
🚢 travel stories
💇‍♀️ teenage girl's coming of age
😵 curses

This novel follows the steps of the protagonist, Aubrey, from her youth when she first discovers a puzzle ball and shortly afterwards falls victim to a “disease” that will cause her death if she does not continue moving on to a new place. Aubrey spends her life traveling solo across the globe, meeting all kinds of people, but rarely forming attachments since her condition will not allow her to stay put for more than a few days at a time.
This novel is, on the surface, the story of a fantastical life, but it goes further than that, delving into philosophical musings on the impact our life has on the world around us. This was an enjoyable book with a number of engaging characters. Aubrey is an interesting and inspirational main character, as well as a very strong female lead.
This novel will appeal to readers of both fantasy and literary fiction. I will watch for more from this first-time novelist.

Incredibly imaginative tale of a girl trapped in endless travel because of a disease. The adventures, the travels, and the characters are fascinating. It’s a rich world and well worth the read.

How did Douglas Westerbeke come up with the idea? It's wonderful and I loved this book. Aubrey's "disease" is impossible and her life is impossible and I felt no need to have it explained or to somehow be rational. It's a life I would choose for myself - without the pain and blood if possible.

This debut novel follows the extraordinary life journey of Aubry Tourvel, a young woman cursed to constantly be on the move to stay alive. Aubry's globe-trotting adventure takes her through wondrous and challenging landscapes as she searches for a place to call home. Blending magical realism, adventure, and self-discovery, this captivating story explores what it takes to thrive despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

This book follows Aubry Torvel, a girl who contacts a disease that leaves her bleeding out if she doesn't move geographical locations every few days. I was intrigued and enjoyed reading this novel, though I don't have a grasp on what the author was trying to say with the work. It was a book that feels like it's making a point, but I didn't quite get it. In some ways, it is a physical embodiment of what wanderlust feel like, something I deeply identify with. In others, the secret (and magical) libraries and the puzzle ball, I found it intriguing without understanding any deeper meaning.

Noting that, it was a fun travel story that brought back backpacking memories of my own and the people you can meet along the way. It's an adventure from start to finish.

3.8. An interesting premise in which a young girl contracts an incurable illness resulting in her having to constantly travel constantly to new locations around the world to avoid any recurrence of the debilitating symptoms. It was a fantastastical experience covering many years following Aubry’s travels and her sheer strength and resilience in dealing with her condition. It started off well but I lost interest in the middle and frankly found the outcome rather predictable. An interesting read. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest and candid review

Thanks, Simon & Schuster, for the early review copy via NetGalley. (Available now)

Synopsis: “Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a spoiled and stubborn nine-year-old girl, comes across a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She tosses it over the fence, only to find it in her backpack that evening. Days later, at the family dinner table, she starts to bleed to death.
When medical treatment only makes her worse, she flees to the outskirts of the city, where she realizes that it is this very act of movement that keeps her alive. So begins her lifelong journey on the run from her condition, which won’t allow her to stay anywhere for longer than a few days nor return to a place where she’s already been.”

My thoughts: Take a series of mysterious doors that bridge space and time (like TEN THOUSAND DOORS OF JANUARY), add in a mysterious and never-ending library (like MIDNIGHT LIBRARY) and an enigmatic, mysterious woman walking the earth alone for 50 years while cursed (like THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE). Then, make it convoluted, confusing, and overly long while mixing in uneven pacing and shallow character development. I finished the book last night and still don’t really understand what I read.

However, the premise was good, and considering this was a debut, I am optimistic about trying the author again.

I enjoyed this book but I’m not sure where the story was going. I would call the individual stories of her adventures were excellent and interesting, but the “whole” story of her life led to an uninspired ending for me. I needed more of an explanation of her “situation” which never came. I kept reading hoping that it would but unfortunately it never did. I’m writing this review being vague so as not to give any spoilers.

Great, great read. The intertwining story was so creatively woven. I was left wondering all along the way where Aubry would go next and where her life would end up. It was perfectly placed in time. This could not have happened during the modern age. This read definitely has a niche audience, but I am here for it!

While the story was okay, it just didn't seem to go anywhere. I kept reading to get to the epiphany, but that never came. I didn't feel much about the characters (although most were just cursory in passing), and I just didn't feel the point.

The sickness first arrives in 1885 when Aubry is a child in Paris. After discovering a mysterious puzzle ball that Aubry can’t seem to get rid of, she begins to bleed to death over dinner one night. When the only cure seems to be moving, Aubry begins her continuous journey around the world. Able to stay in each place for just a few nights before the sickness returns, Aubry has no choice but to spend her life exploring as much of the globe as possible.

From Paris to deserts, mountains, jungles, and a never-ending underground library that keeps popping up when she least expects it, Aubry shares her story and meets people who make a mark on her life. This is a story about hope, survival, connection, and never giving up.

The story is told in brief chapters that read like vignettes of the places Aubry visits, and I loved seeing the world through her eyes, meeting the people she encounters, and watching the world change and she moves through time. I enjoyed much of the book, but it’s a story that asks far more questions than it answers. The ending felt a bit random and disconnected from the rest of the story, and I didn’t feel that it provided any closure. Still, it’s a sweeping and beautiful story that those who love travel and elements of magical realism will enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was described as “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi,” two of my all-time favorites. I think that comparison is the reason this book fell a little flat for me. I enjoyed the concept and the overall journey, but I had a hard time engaging enough to keep turning the page. I ended up finishing the audiobook version after abandoning the ebook version and I think the narrator helped me get over the mid-book slump. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I hadn’t set my expectations so high.

How do I describe this thought provoking book? When Aubrey is nine years old she begins bleeding from nose, mouth, everywhere possible, then soon develops excruciating pain and seizures. Her family rushes her to the doctor’s office, and the further she gets from home the better she gets. The doctor can find no cause of illness and sends her back home- where the cycle begins again. The family soon learns that Aubrey must travel to live, and cannot go to the same place more than once. So begins the tale of her life-long travels and experiences.

It is hard to imagine how the author was able to imagine this complex story, but he did an excellent job of weaving it all together. You will be thinking of this book long after you have finished it!

My thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of this book.

beautiful poignant story with nods to The life of Addie Larue. Filled with magical realism, this story is both awe inspiring and heartbreaking. Well written and entertaining, despite a few pacing issues. At the end of the day, it left me with much to ponder about - which i find is the mark of a good novel. Overall I really enjoyed this read and will be recommending it often.

In "A Short Walk Through a Wide World," debut author Aubry Tourvel crafts an enthralling tale of adventure and survival. From the streets of Paris to the far reaches of the Himalayas, Aubry's journey to outrun a mysterious curse captivates from start to finish. Tourvel's vivid descriptions and unforgettable characters breathe life into every page, while Aubry's resilience and determination inspire. This debut offers readers a compelling exploration of the power of perseverance and the beauty of life's journey.

When illness is your constant companion but you try to outrun it, it could take you on a trip of a lifetime. This is a well written adventure where wisdom and experiences are gained through Aubry’s curiosity and need to continue on. This is a unique book that kept me wondering what was around the next bend.

Though this book has a great premise (and excellent comp titles), I had some trouble connecting to the story and felt it slogged along a bit. I also wasn't wowed by the prose, and believe the magical realism could have been more effective if I'd understood it a bit more. All in all, a decent adventure story, but not one that totally drew me in and probably not one I'll be recommending highly to our customers.

An interesting and strange story. Be ready for an adventure. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

This book was so good! Aubrey was an amazing main character, and I loved working my way through her life and learning of her many adventures. As with any life, there were good times and bad times, but she always kept going, which I think can be a message to us all, in a way.