A Short Walk Through a Wide World

A Novel

By: Douglas Westerbeke

Narrated by: Saskia Maarleveld

“Imagine The Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Midnight Library rolled into one fantastical fable.” —The New York Times Book Review * “An epic adventure…rich with all the possibilities the world can hold.” —People

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A dazzlingly epic debut that charts the incredible, adventurous life of one woman as she journeys the globe trying to outrun a mysterious curse that will destroy her if she stops moving.

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.

From the scorched dunes of the Calanshio Sand Sea to the snow-packed peaks of the Himalayas; from a bottomless well in a Parisian courtyard, to the shelves of an infinite underground library, we follow Aubry as she learns what it takes to survive and ultimately, to truly live. But the longer Aubry wanders and the more desperate she is to share her life with others, the clearer it becomes that the world she travels through may not be quite the same as everyone else’s...

Fiercely independent and hopeful, yet full of longing, Aubry Tourvel is an unforgettable character fighting her way through a world of wonders to find a place she can call home. A spellbinding and inspiring story about discovering meaning in a life that seems otherwise impossible, A Short Walk Through a Wide World reminds us that it’s not the destination, but rather the journey—no matter how long it lasts—that makes us who we are.©2024 Douglas Westerbeke (P)2024 Simon & Schuster Audio

Great narration but weird storyline

I couldn’t wait for this book to be over. None of it ever came together for me and I was disappointed.

The Jungle

I wish the last few chapters were their own book…I would have LOVED that book!

Unsatisfying

I kept thinking that I was falling asleep and missing something, and then I realized I was reading during the day and I was wide awake. Lots of unanswered questions. Now, I don’t like a book ending that ties everything up with a bow, but this just sort of ended on a WTF?

Awesome

It’s hard to find words to describe the immediate impact of this wonderful book. It carries you along with one magical story after another, surrounding a heroic girl/woman who experiences the enormity of Earth’s wonders. The diverse human, animal and plant life she encounters fill the pages with adventure and connection. There is abundant mysticism too, but it never feels false. The reader is absolutely amazing. Highly recommend, even if it isn’t a genre you’d typically be interested in.

Wildly Imaginative

A long and winding walk all over the wide world through the eyes of one woman who must keep moving or die. Beautifully crafted. Wildly imaginative. But, frankly, exhausting. I was done before Aubrey but persevered just to see how on earth this one would wind up.

Exquisite story

It is so delightful to listen to a book that is filled with wonderment. This book tops in my favorite fiction books of all times.

Narrator!

Overall great enticing story, loved the complexity of the main character and those who traveled through the story

Great Story

I enjoyed this book - the description and all the detail
within the story line made one feel they were part of the story.

Beautiful writing about life and a strong woman

Stories of women facing challenges out of their control with strength, grace and intense soulfulness are what I am always searching for and this was a gem of a find.

Jaw Dropping First Book

Wow! If this is where Douglas Westerbeke begins, I want to be along for the ride. I cannot stop thinking about this book. I am amazed by the concept and awed by the execution. How did Mr. Westerbeke do it? Where did this idea emanate from? How did he nurture it to its conclusion? I am excited by all of the questions reading this has generated. Kudo's to the author. I am anxious to read more from him.

I listened to the audiobook and have nothing but admiration for Saskia Maarleveld. I don't know it it was my imagination but did her accent alter ever so slightly with each new place Aubry found herself? It was an amazing performance.