A girl has a mysterious curse that prevents her from staying in one place for more than a few days at a time, or ever returning to a place she’s already been.

We’ve got excellent vibes and wonderfully vivid prose, but A Short Walk Through a Wide World doesn’t so much have a plot as a series of non-linear scenes hung together by a capital-M Mystery. Douglas Westerbeke should have take a page from Coco Chanel and removed one mystery before leaving the house. This book is really doing the most, mystery-wise — the puzzle ball, the timeless library, the strange well, the voice of the curse, the curse itself, that ending??? — and while some have more intrigue than others, none have a clearly-defined purpose. Certainly there are some readers content to never get answers to the important questions the book raises (and one suspects there may not be answers) though that really isn’t me.

I liked this book, I just wanted it to come together to mean something more than it does.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars rounded down.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avid Reader Press/Simon & Schuster for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Short Walk Through A Wide World begins in Paris in 1885 and is centered around 9-year-old Aubrey Tourvel. On her way home from school, Aubrey comes across a wooden puzzle ball, tosses it over a fence, and goes along her day. Later that day, Aubrey is surprised to find the ball in her backpack, and days later she starts to bleed uncontrollably.

Medical treatment seems to only worsen Aubrey’s condition so she flees to the outskirts of Paris only to learn that continuous movement is the only thing that helps. Being still for any period of time brings back the condition. So begins Aubrey’s lifelong journey across the world.

From all corners of the globe, we follow Aubrey as she learns what it takes to survive and what it means to truly live. The longer Aubrey travels, the more desperate she becomes for companionship but the world she travels through may not be quite the same as everyone else’s…

I love a good adventure story so I was really excited to start this one! The book begins with a bit of a slow start but once it picked up, I found it very compelling. I really enjoyed the magical realism aspects, especially the parts where Aubrey discovered the underground library. From melancholic to joyous, I truly enjoyed watching Aubrey’s character evolve. This is Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel and I see a bright future for him!

If you enjoyed Life of Pi, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, and/or The Midnight Library, I would recommend A Short Walk Through A Wide World.

What a premise! This book is perfect for fans of V.E. Schwab and Adrienne Young's genre-bending works. Aubry Torvel's spellbinding and inspiring story had me hooked from the very beginning. At its heart, and underneath all the historical fantasy elements and amazing scenery, this book is about the fundamentally human acts of self-discovery and finding meaning in our lives. I LOVED it!

This book is what would happen if the Starless Sea and Addie Larue had a baby. Its the type of story that has no purpose but to be a story. Something to just sit in and experience. Very whimsical. I'm sold pretty much anytime you give me a magical library.

Although I absolutely love this book, its not for readers who need answers, because you're not going to get them.

Douglas Westerbeke's A SHORT WALK THROUGH A WIDE WORLD is a wondrous read -- easy to fall under its narrative spell of globe-trotting Aubrey striving to outrun a curse and tough to categorize into any genre box of fantasy, allegory, fairy tale, science fiction, magical realism....In the end, all that matters is an engaging story about a smart woman using her heart, brains, and courage to live her life the best way she knows how -- learning all the time. My heart yearned for Aubrey over her years of wandering the earth to defy inevitable doom and living adventures and encounters that she never would have done had she been able to blend in and be like everyone else. It was a truly fun read that kept me up too late, turning the pages to see what she would do next. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

I went to a writing workshop taught by author Christian Kiefer once and he said something along the lines of, “Every story is basically The Odyssey told over and over again in different ways”.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World (to be known as ASWTAWW from here on out) is, essentially, an Odyssean story, save Odysseus starts the journey in 1885 as a nine year-old girl named Aubry finds an enigmatic wooden puzzle ball on the ground in front of the house of a neighbor who has died in her home city of Paris. Very shortly after Aubry finds this ball, she becomes struck with some sort of weird affliction that keeps her on the move: She can’t stay in a city for more than a couple of days without starting to die, and she can never go back from whence she came.

This is a wonderfully written book: It’s engaging, interesting, emotional, insightful, and incredibly intriguing. The book is informally broken up into three acts: The beginnings of Aubry’s journey and some of her lessons in love, her adventures in friendship and the beginnings of discovering what the book calls the “Terra Obscura”, and then the book gets more retrospective and sentimental as Aubry grows older and more forgetful after wandering the Earth for almost her entire life before starting to tie some things together for the ending.

It’s a thoughtfully crafted story, written by an author who obviously treasures knowledge in all forms and put a lot of care into his story.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Coming of Age/Historical Fantasy/Literary Fiction/Magical Realism

A Short Walk Through a Wide World tells the magical story of Aubry Tourvel. Aubry is a 9 year old French girl who develops a mysterious condition, where she cannot stay more than a matter of days in one place (nor return to the same place twice) or she will abruptly and painfully start to die. Forced to keep moving, she eventually finds herself on her own. She experiences many adventures and sees much of the earth but can never stay in one place long enough to form lasting attachments, and at times becomes quite feral because of this.

This was a lovely and moving tale that brings up many interesting questions, including, Who are we without our relationships with others? I really enjoyed this one, and while I might in some ways envy Aubry’s ability to see the world, I’m sure glad to have a place to call home.

Thank you Douglas Westerbeke, Avid Reader Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

3.75/5
It's 1885 in Paris, and on the way home from school, a little girl discovers a wooden puzzle ball. No matter what she does, she can't seem to rid herself of this puzzle ball. Soon after, she's struck with a mysterious illness. Intense pain, lots of blood, and no cure in sight... until she goes to a place she's never been before. And so the adventures begin for Aubry Tourvel. She can never stay in one place for more than a few days, always moving, never to return to the same place to where she's been before.

My thoughts:
I was smitten from the very first pages of A Short Walk Through a Wide World. I immediately got Around the World in Eighty Days vibes. Westerbeke expertly captures the wonder of late 1800s travel. The trains, the boats. It was all music to my wanderlust ears. However, the reader soon feels the desperation of Aubry's situation and roots for her as she struggles to overcome her unique challenges.

I admit it got a little weird for me towards the end of the book. There were a few "what is happening" moments, but then magic. Pure magic! I was very curious about how Aubry's story would end, but Westerbeke did not disappoint! A Short Walk Through a Wide World is such a special tale, and I can't wait to see what the author writes next!

Read this if you like:
• Around the World in Eighty Days
• Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
• Multiple timelines and short chapters
• Magical realism/adventure fiction

Available now! Many thanks to @avidreaderpress and @simonandschuster for the digital ARC!

This book is a captivating blend of historical and literary fiction with a touch of magical realism that sets it apart. The story takes readers on an incredible journey, introducing them to a host of compelling characters and immersing them in a world of new experiences and perspectives. Through these encounters, the book delves deep into the human experience, exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience. The magic in the story is portrayed in a truly unique and imaginative way, adding an element of wonder to the narrative. Be prepared, however, as this is a story that tugs at your heartstrings, leaving a lingering sense of melancholy long after you've turned the final page

A cross between magical realism and travelogue this is an absolutely amazing story by debut novelist Douglas Westerbeke. At the tender age of nine, youngest Tourvel daughter, Aubry, is afflicted with a mysterious ailment. The doctor is dumbfounded, but it doesn’t take her long to figure out that the only thing that helps is for her to be constantly on the move. The longest she can remain in any one place is three or four days before her symptoms return, and to make it even more difficult for her, she can never return somewhere she’s already been.
A propulsive adventure story of a young obstinate girl who has to mature quickly, learn survival skills and make her way alone in the big, wide world. Along the way she finds many wondrous places and meets many people, both good and bad. There are portals or interdimensional doorways to extraordinary libraries and giant red flowers whose pollen is a powerful anesthetic just to name a few of the marvels she encounters. Great characters and an imaginative plot really make this a magical read. I loved it even if I did feel sad for the heroine. 4.5 stars

Happy publication day to this debut novel! I requested the arc of this book due to the comparison to Addie LaRue and Life of Pi. I think those are excellent comparisons, but this book is something all its own.

We follow Aubry. At eight years old she develops an affliction - she must constantly keep moving, and she can't ever stop or she will die horribly. She also can't ever return to the same place.

The story is told in a nonlinear fashion, with Audry relating anecdotes to the people she meets on her journey about her past. The book takes pains to let us know how old Audry is in each story, so I never felt confused by the timeline.

There are a lot of themes to explore here, and I won't spoil them. This was a solid debut novel. It is magical realism, which doesn't always work for me, but in this instance I did not mind it. Don't expect explanations, as is usually the case.

Recommended to those who like magical realism with a literary twist. Four stars!

This is an adventure that draws you in from the very beginning. I loved that it is written by a fellow librarian who wanted another adventure story out there. And this one is a gem. So much to love and so much to talk about in this book.
A great book for book clubs and anyone seeking adventure.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

A beautiful, existential, magical, and thoughtful read. It’s clear that Douglas Westerbeke has been a lifelong lover of books, and finding out that he is also a librarian made so much sense to me! The story of Aubry Tourvel, a young French girl cursed with a mysterious illness whose symptoms only abate when she travels somewhere new, felt fresh and exciting, with obvious inspiration from other adult fantasy novels, such as V.E. Schwab’s “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue.”

I felt captivated throughout by Westerbeke’s confident and cinematic prose; there was incredible imagination, and though the scale of the story could perhaps have felt overwhelming, there was also a grounding appreciation of quiet, poignant moments of connection. I also enjoyed how Aubry’s life story unfolded, snippets of memories and adventures spilling off the pages out of order, each puzzle piece interlocking and overlapping. Over some seventy years, she experiences just about everything her world has to offer: she crosses mountains, falls in love, explores jungles, reads in underground libraries, and meets enough people for several lifetimes.

Eventually all stories must come to an end, and while I’m not sure I fully understood all of the implications of this ending, it felt satisfying in its ambiguity, enigmatic as Aubry has been all her life. “A Short Walk Through A Wide World” is an epic debut that sparked vivid and lasting images in my mind, and I won’t soon forget it.

Thanks to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wow I am not even sure what to say about this one. I was so intrigued by the premise and was immediately drawn in by the story. For a debut author, I found the storytelling to be quite beautiful. I was fascinated by the puzzle ball, I enjoyed Aubry’s interactions with the people she met (especially Lionel and Marta), and I also was so curious by the sickness she experienced whenever staying in one place too long. Unfortunately the ending left me with a lot of questions. I was happy with Aubry’s fate but found myself wanting more answers than I was given. Based on the storytelling alone, I would read another novel by this author.

A Short Walk in a Wide World is an enchanting fantasy adventure story with elements of magical realism. Aubry embarks on an involuntary journey of self-discovery filled with a desire and a need to belong and to connect with others. On her journeys she finds wonderments as well as perilous situations, while encountering kindness and also occasional cruelty. Hers is a life in exile from her home and family.

At the start of Aubry’s story, we see how she adjusts (or fails to adjust) to her new circumstances. Then things start to slow down. However, I was vested enough (and determined enough) to finish this novel. I’m glad I did. While the ending at first-read seems rather open-ended, it actually takes Aubry’s story full-circle. Using the search function on my Kindle, I was fascinated to discover connections that weren’t obvious from a straight-forward reading, particularly connections to events and people from earlier in the story.

In A Short Walk in a Wide World, Douglas Westerbeke has crafted an elaborate, detailed world with engaging characters. Aubry’s growth, changes, and self-awareness from age 9 to that of an “old woman” is believably portrayed as she searches for a place she can call home. With its unique blend of fantasy and magical realism, this thought-provoking novel may not be to everyone’s taste. Nonetheless, it is well-worth reading.

This is one of those books that is defies my usual rating system. It's even difficult to describe. It has a very unique premise. Aubry is nine years old when the symptoms of a mystery illness start. If she doens't keep moving (meaning, traveling forward) then she becomes very ill and will die. She can't stay in the same place for more than a few days and she can't go back to any place she's already been. You can imagine this is a difficult situation for her and her family (reminder: she's only nine!). So, she just starts walking all over the world.

We get to see all the wonderful parts about being a world traveler but we also get to see the lonely and frightening parts. Aubry is female who is alone and, especially when you are in a foreign land where you understand neither the language nor the customs, that can be very dangerous. We also get to see that humanity, overall, is full of friendly people who will gladly help someone in need.

The author does an amazing job of describing all the places she visits and the people she meets. This a magical realism/fantasy book and it is has a slow, meandering plot but the journey is entertaining and interesting. There were definitely bits I found confusing and I thought the end was a little rushed but, overall, what an enjoyable read.

I think this is one of those books you could read again and again and, each time you read it, you'll pick up something new from its pages. This would also make a fantastic movie and a book club read; you can chat about this one for hours.

I've never read anything like this; Aubry's journey through time and space was a ride unlike any other I've been on before.

Douglas Westerbeke’s debut novel, “A Short Walk Through a Wide World,” is a captivating tale that blends elements of “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” with the adventurous spirit of “Life of Pi.” The story follows Aubry Tourvel, a young girl cursed to wander perpetually, unable to stay in one place for long. Her life becomes a globe-trotting adventure, from the scorching sands of the Calashino Sand Sea to the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.
This is a thought-provoking and inspiring novel that reminds us that life’s true meaning lies in the journey, no matter how long it lasts. Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and epic adventures.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a very stubborn nine-year-old girl discovers a wooden puzzle ball on her way home from school. She tosses it over a fence, only to discover it in her backpack that evening. Days later, as the family is sitting down to dinner, Aubry begins to bleed to death. Her family rushes her to the doctor only to discover her instantly better. However, as soon as she returns home, the bleeding, convulsions and muscle rigidity begins all over again. Aubry realizes that she can no longer stay home, but must remain on the move. At first, her mother accompanies her on her journey as they travel from hotel to hotel, city to city, until the money begins to run out and she knows in her heart the best thing she can do for everyone is go it alone. So she begins her solitary journey around the world, 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. Aubry's journey takes her to every continent, traversing everything from the dunes of the Calashino Sand Sea to the snowy peaks of the Himalayas. The longer Aubry walks, the more she wants to share her life with others. Just because Aubry is destined to wander this world for her remaining days, doesn't mean she has to do it alone.

This book was amazing. This was one of those stories that stays with you long after you turn the final page. I have always wanted to travel the world, but due to unforeseen circumstances, that is a dream that will never be realized. However, I got to live out a little of that dream vicariously through Aubry, and oh, what a marvelous time we had! We went places I had never even heard of, and saw things I could just picture in my mind as she described them. It was amazing and I never wanted the adventure to end. This book is perfect for anyone - people who love action/adventure stories, fantasy fiction lovers., even those who just love to sit down and curl up with a cup of coffee (or whatever the beverage of your choice is) and be told a really good story. I highly recommend this one!

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is truly a great story! This fabulous debut novel follows Aubrey Tourvel as she races around the world to stay ahead of her sickness. We, the lucky readers, get to follow along on her adventures that transport us from mountains to jungles with stops in a magical library. I did not want this one to end and I’m sure I will continue to revisit it frequently. Thank you to Avid Reader Press and NetGalley for the eARC.

Aubry Tourvel is a character you will not forget. She has been suffering since she was 9 years old. Finding a strange puzzle box, or a strange puzzle box finding her, has changed her life forever. After refusing to throw the box in a well, Aubry starts to get violently ill. The only thing the keeps her well is moving. Constantly moving. Not only can she not stay in any place for very long but she can never return to anywhere she has been without convulsing, bleeding, and writhing in pain. She is often saying to others, "I cannot go back."

"I cannot go back." Is there a more fitting analogy for life? We can never go back. Aubrey cannot form long bonds. Even her own family cannot travel with her. From the age of 12 on she relies on her own wits and the kindness of strangers. Everywhere she goes people help, people warn of the others around them, and people try to cure her. No one really believes her, though. It is just too much. Aubrey comes to be well known worldwide. But she remains lonely. No one can live this life with her forever, can they?

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is what it was advertised to be. There are so many things to think about as you are reading and when you finish that you may want to read it again.