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A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke

A Short Walk Through a Wide World

A Novel

by Douglas Westerbeke
  • BookBrowse Review:
  • Critics' Consensus (13):
  • Readers' Rating (3):
  • First Published:
  • Apr 2, 2024, 400 pages
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 2025, 416 pages
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About This Book

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There are currently 3 reader reviews for A Short Walk Through a Wide World
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Power Reviewer
Ann E Beman

What if you could live only in the present, ever on the move?
Afflicted with a bizarre, uncurable -- and sentient -- disease, Aubry Tourvel has not been able to stay longer than a couple days in any one place since she was 10, ever since she came across a strange puzzle ball on her walk home from school. Aubry's life becomes a never-ending epic, full of adventure and wonder and encounters with places and experiences and humans of all stripes. This debut novel is a coming-of-age tale, travelogue, and magical-realism-tinged adventure in self-discovery -- all rolled into one metaphorical puzzle ball. It asks, what if you could live only in the present? What would your story look like then? What would the world look like? And what would that world's stories and the library that housed those stories look like? It looks like a life-affirming, journey, as far as this coming-of-age story would demonstrate. I'm still puzzling out the ending, but overall an enthralling read.
Gloria M

Great Debut!
Mostly original concept, engrossing with a protagonist who will immediately capture your interest and your heart, great debut novel and I am eager to read more by this author!!
BuffaloGirlKS

A Strange Book
This is such a strange book. For some reason I felt like I was wandering through subterranean tunnels in much of the book before Aubrey went into the library. Each place that she wandered to where she spent extensive time isolated her and made her almost like a captive in a harem. It was honestly creepy to me. I did like reading about the different environments and cultures of the world, but that did not override the overall creepiness factor. The purpose of Aubrey's travels and thus the book's message, other than self-preservation, eluded me. I didn't understand the ending at all. Sorry to say, I won't be suggesting my book club read this one.
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