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.

I loved this wonderful fastasy chronicling the life and adventures of Aubry Tourvel a woman who is forced to travel the world to outrun a curse.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World was surprising and a refreshing change.
From the beginning of the book, I'm not sure I accepted the premise. The main character, Aubry Tourvel, is 9 years old. She has an illness where she starts to bleed if she stays in one place too long. That's what you have to buy into to read this story.
Once I accepted that, I also found it difficult to believe that a 9-year-old girl could manage to travel on her own.
To really enjoy the book, I had to accept that too.
For most part, the story takes place when she is an adult with flashbacks to earlier times. It follows Aubry throughout her entire life.
I don't usually like fantasy; I prefer sci/fi. But, this premise grabbed me and I went along for the ride.
I give this book 4 stars, and I would recommend it. You just have to suspend your connection to reality!

Gorgeously written, beautiful imagery. This novel is an in-depth character study - of Aubry, yes, but also of humanity as a whole. Heart-wrenching and bittersweet. It's going to live in my heart forever.

Unfortunately I am not able to finish.

I was not connecting with the character and I felt it wouldn’t be fair to the author to continue and leave a review if I was struggling.

But I thank you for the opportunity!

In 1885 Paris, a 9-year-old girl named Aubry discovers a wooden puzzle box. Despite her attempts to dispose of it, the box keeps reappearing. After a few days, she experiences uncontrollable bleeding but realizes that staying in motion prevents the bleeding. This marks the start of her lifelong journey, as she never stays in one location for more than a few days.
This book is magical and it will keep you guessing 100%.

Aubrey has been wondering the world since she was 9 years old. Unable to stay in any one place for more than a few days before she starts to get very unwell.

I was very interested in the concept of this book, but it fell short for me. A story about loneliness, and adventures, and travel. It had the potential to really something exciting, and while I found the writing to be lovely I just wasn't interested in Aubrey or her story.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is essentially the life story of a unique woman, told through her own voice. When the story begins Aubry Tourvel is nine years old, the spoiled youngest daughter of a prosperous family in 1885 Paris. Aubrey and her sisters gather at an odd wishing well. Each girl holds an item they personally treasure and they have agreed to offer the items to the well while making a worthwhile wish for another. Aubrey holds a wooden puzzle ball and she is supposed to wish their neighbor's sick baby will get well. But she has a moment of selfishness and refuses to give up the puzzle ball. Not long afterward she is struck by a strange disease of bleeding, wracking pain, and convulsions. Doctors are unable to help and Aubry's family soon realize the only thing that does help is travel - to a place she has never been before. Thus begins Aubry's lifetime of travel by boat, train, and mostly on foot. If she stays more than two or three days in one place her disease strikes hard and she nearly dies. As long as she keeps moving, she's fine.
This is a quote from the publishers description. It says what I felt, so much better than I could:

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
The only small quibble I have is that Aubry's story seemed a little long. But I was never tempted to put it down

Thank you so so much NetGalley and Avid Reader Press.

Aubry is a 9 year old girl in Paris in 1885. She finds a wooden puzzle box, tries to get rid of it, but it returns. Days later, she starts bleeding uncontrollably. She learns that if she is on the move, the bleeding will stop. Thus begins a lifelong journey of never being in the same place for more than a few days.

What a fascinating story about longing, loneliness, travel, and curiosity. The story jumps in to the past and into the present as Aubry's various journeys around the world are described. This is such a unique tale, and it is all about Aubry and her successes and struggles. Can you imagine living life where you can't go to the same place twice? There are a few supporting characters who do not stick around for long, so it is really about Aubry. I was so lost in this story that I didn't even realize it had ended until I got to the acknowledgements page. I wish it would have continued on and on and on...