A short walk through a wide world - Review and characters
A Short Walk Through a Wide World synopsis/summary:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi in this 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 Calashino 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
A Short Walk Through a Wide World characters.
Aubrey Tourvel
Pauline Tourvel
Sylvie Tourvel
Mr Tourvel (Aubrey’s father)
Mrs Tourvel (Aubrey’s mother)
Dr. Homais
Sophie Holcombe
Somerset Holcombe
Mrs. Holcombe
Mr. Holcombe
Lionek Kyengi
Uzair Ibn-Kadder
Pathik
Prince Surasiva
Krishna
Qalima
Remy Clement
Marta Arbaroa
Vicki
Vicente
Shona
Tonuhai
Ollie
A Short Walk Through a Wide World book review.
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars.
I understand why the publishing team have billed this as The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pi because reading this 💯gave me deja vu. Some moments also brought some Interstellar (movie) vibes.
Aubrey Tourvel, our protagonist, is on the run from a mysterious ailment that forces her to keep moving, preventing her from staying in one place for more than a few days or revisiting a place she’s already been--unless she wants to die a bloody gruesome death.
Understandably, she does not want to die a horrifying death. Therefore, lasting relationships, as you can imagine, are fleeting, hence the similar predicament to Addie in the short-lived relationship department.
While this book may feel very V.E. Schwab-inspired in theme and genre (magical realism-fantasy), as well as Aubrey being French like Addie, (luckily, she doesn't have seven freckles on her face that resemble a constellation of stars), I feel ASWTAWW carves its own path, via a unique plot, and completely distinct globetrotting escapades. As a reader and travel lover, I satisfied my wanderlust through Aubrey Tourvel’s eyes and it was a lush, sensory, vivid experience. This guy sure can write lovely prose. Not too ornamental for my tastes either, which I appreciated.
I always find it interesting when a male author writes an FMC and whether they can make the character authentic. IMO, Westerbeke did a decent job, and I appreciate the agency and empowerment he instilled in her. He effectively portrayed her as a strong-willed, resourceful, resilient and determined female character and she even has a sense of humour! Additionally, the romantic scenes were tasteful and skilfully written. Consider me pleasantly surprised.
For animal lovers, there are some trigger warnings to be mindful of. Aubrey must hunt to survive, so bear that in mind, mostly minor and non-explicit. The one scene I found gratuitous was around 45% through, location 2060, so you may want to avoid that one.
If I had one area I wanted to see more of, it was the backstory of Aubrey’s sickness. It was kinda vague, I would’ve preferred more detail and to learn more about the why.
The ending went in a direction I didn’t expect, and I’m still trying to figure out if I was satisfied. It did surprise me though. Overall, I thought this sweeping adventure was heart-wrenching, poignant, thought-provoking and joyful, highlighting the importance of human connection and the tenacity of the human spirit. If you’re an Addie La Rue fan and have an insatiable hunger for travel, you'll probably really enjoy this, just like I did.
My heartfelt thanks to NetGalley, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster and debut author Douglas Westerbeke for the opportunity to read this work in exchange for an honest review.
View A Short Walk Through a Wild World book review here.
Enjoyed reading A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke? You may also enjoy reading:
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
