A Short Walk Through a Wide World is SO CHARMING.

They weren’t kidding when they called this The Life of Addie LaRue meets Life of Pie. It’s a wonderful little adventure story of a woman who can’t stop moving and the people she meets along the way.

In 1885 Aubry Tourvel finds a puzzle ball that happens to follow her home, within a week she starts to bleed to death. The only cure is going somewhere she has never been to before, but it only lasts a few days before she must move on.

Even though she is constantly on the run from her condition, the story focuses on the beautiful human connections she makes along the way. Her life is so full of wonderful stories and the whimsical way she moves through the world makes this book a must-read.

The only reason this isn’t a glowing 5 star for me was that the library and her disease don’t fully get explained, and I don’t know… maybe that’s part of the fun but I really wanted to know what it was all about!! It felt a little unresolved.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. This is such a cool concept and is a strong debut. I enjoyed this one, it was interesting to see Aubrey's adventures around the world and the connections she was able to make with people over the short time they were together. Because of Aubrey's illness side characters never lasted long, and I struggled a bit with that, even though there's no way around it.

I found it a bit slow, but that's in large because it's very descriptive and as an aphant that does nothing for me. I think this is a book that really caters to those with visual imaginations. I wish this had gone deeper because there is so much potential here, as is for me it fell a bit flat.

I didn't understand the ending, I'm not sure if I missed something or if it's supposed to be loose and mysterious. I don't like unanswered mysteries, so I struggled with that. I was expecting to get all the answers and instead had more questions once I hit the end.

Overall, this is a solid debut with a really cool concept.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World by Douglas Westerbeke is a complex and fascinating novel that follows the travels of Aubry Tourvel, who cannot stop travelling for more than a few days or she will die a rather horrible death.
One cannot help but feel for her as she is thrust into nomadic life, even though she makes the best of a bad situation. Her travels are as wide ranging as her interactions with other people, and the author holds out hope for the innate goodness of people even as Aubry encounters those who are far from good at their core.
Westerbeke sweeps the reader along on the travels, both fascinating and alarming, and the book is difficult to put down as a result. However, I had hoped for an explanation as to why Aubry was thrust into a life a suffering, loneliness, adventure, and learning, and felt that I never truly received one. Towards the end the book turns philosophical and cryptic, taking away from the overall wonder that pervaded the majority of the story.
At its core, the book is well-written and captivating. I am happy to have read an ARC of #AShortWalkThroughaWideWorld provided through #NetGalley.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. I thought the plot seemed intriguing, but I didn’t think I’d be sucked in so easily and so early on! It’s a solid debut novel, and I’d be interested in reading more from Westerbeke.

❤️ Strong, resilient FMC
❤️ Simple, but intriguing plot
❤️ Easy read with short chapters
❌ Plot feeling repetitive at some point
❌ Dialogues feeling slightly unrealistic and unrelatable
❌ Some loose ends

Trigger Warnings: blood and gore, trauma, violence, attempted assault, graphic depictions of animal hunting and skinning (as a vegan, I struggled with some parts).

Plot:
Paris, 1885: Aubry Tourvel, a stubborn 9-year-old girl from a wealthy family, comes across a wooden puzzle ball on her walk home from school. She then refuses to throw it in a wishing well although both of her sisters already abandoned their own valuable belongings. Soon after, she almost bleeds to death. When she realizes that moving keeps her alive, Aubry leaves the city with her mother, embarking on a walk that will bring her around the world many times over.

The plot is very simple, and yet this book takes you in completely new directions here and there, without feeling overwhelming. It’s like… a bittersweet love letter to travel and books / libraries, with a touch of mysterious magic. The plot felt somewhat repetitive and dragged a little at some point, but it eventually picked up again. I feel like the ending was slightly rushed; the new setting was very interesting, and I would have liked to know more.

Characters:
Aubry is a great main character: strong, resilient, resourceful, curious, smart. I don’t think I would have survived in her shoes. The other characters come and go, but I liked most of them and was sad to leave them alongside Aubry—especially the Prince and Marta. However, I felt like the latter was a bit of a loose end, unfortunately.

Writing:
I loved Westerbeke’s writing, especially his vivid and evocative descriptions of places, clothes, and food. This book was a sensory experience with lush and vivid descriptions that make you feel like you’re going around the world yourself. Now I blame Westerbeke for my sudden need to travel 🙃

However, I feel like some dialogues should have been reworked a little to feel more natural and relatable. Also, there are some things that felt inconsistent or even anachronic. Listen, I didn’t do much research, but names such as Aubry and Sylvie didn’t strike me as typical 1880s name. Aubry is usually a last name in French, or a typically male first name in English-speaking countries. Being French myself, this detail made me cringe *just a little*. I would have preferred if she’d had a realistic old French name or been English rather than French.

Well, that was unexpectedly delightful!

After reading the comparisons to Addie LaRue, I tried to go in with an open mind and low expectations. I’m glad I gave this book a shot!

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is the story of Aubrey, a young girl living in Paris in the late 1800s. She and her sisters happen upon a wishing well, and after Aubrey refuses to sacrifice her most treasured belonging, she is cursed with a mysterious illness whose symptoms manifest if she stays in the same place for more than 2-3 days.

Sounds heartbreaking, right? It is. From Aubrey leaving her home, and eventually her family, at such a young age, to her inability to form true, lasting friendships, I found Aubrey’s situation gutting. She’s a lot braver than I would have been!

Yet somehow, Aubrey’s story is still hopeful. She’s a survivor. She may long for home, but she also thrives on discovering new sights and experiencing new things.

The cast of characters we meet along the way, and how Aubrey interacts with them, really show her personal character growth. I loved that most of the people Aubrey met were kind. I’d like to believe this is true in our world as well. We all need a Prince in our lives.

I want to touch briefly on the writing. It’s so descriptive and flowing, just what is needed in an epic adventure tale. Landscapes come to life, emotions are tangible, dialogue is believable. Great work by this debut author!

A perfect read for lovers of adventure, found family, and magical realism.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing the ARC of this book. This review is my honest and voluntary opinion.

This is a great concept and there are so many great strings here, but I don't feel that they really braid together the way they could have. Aubry's travels are interesting as are the people she meets, but I don't feel that we truly get to know Aubry, or understand her illness, or the libraries - this novel is long on prose and short on explanations. Perhaps that is a part of the magic - AUbry herself doesn't really know or understand either - but it feels like our focus is very disjointed, trying to cram in all of the people and places as well as the mysteries of the puzzle ball and the illness and the libraries. There are certainly elements here that many readers will enjoy and a lot to learn from Aubry herself, but I feel like Westerbeke is just getting started as a writer and future endeavours may be more satisfying overall.

As someone who loves nothing more than curling up with a good book and dreaming of far-off lands, I was immediately drawn to "A Short Walk Through a Wide World" by debut author Douglas Westerbeke. From the very first page, I felt a kinship with Aubrey Tourvel, our intrepid protagonist, who is forced to keep moving to avoid a mysterious ailment.

In many ways, Aubrey's journey mirrors our own quest for connection and understanding in a vast and ever-changing world. Like many of us, she grapples with the transient nature of relationships, finding solace in fleeting connections and the beauty of the unknown. As she travels from one place to another, I found myself nodding along, empathizing with her struggles and celebrating her victories.

Westerbeke's writing is both captivating and relatable, weaving a tale that is equal parts enchanting and thought-provoking. Through Aubrey's eyes, I experienced the world in a new light, savoring every lush description and poignant moment of introspection. Despite the fantastical elements, the core of the story resonates with universal themes of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

One of the highlights of the book is Aubrey's unwavering determination and sense of humor, which shine through even in the darkest of moments. Her journey is peppered with touching encounters and unexpected twists, keeping me on the edge of my seat until the very end.

While there were moments where I wished for more depth and detail, particularly regarding certain plot points, the overall impact of the story is undeniable. The ending, while unexpected, left me feeling both satisfied and contemplative, much like the conclusion of a long journey.

In conclusion, "A Short Walk Through a Wide World" is a relatable and deeply satisfying read that will appeal to anyone who has ever felt the tug of wanderlust or the ache of longing for connection. Douglas Westerbeke has crafted a timeless tale that will stay with me long after I've turned the final page, reminding me of the beauty and complexity of the world we inhabit.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Final Thoughts: This book is more than just a story; it's a companion for anyone who has ever dared to dream of adventure and discovery. Dive in and let Aubrey's journey inspire your own wanderlust-fueled escapades.

A great, imaginative and thought provoking adventure story. It was a quick read with short chapters that keep the pages turning. I think fans of Addie la Rue, The Ten Thousand Doors of January or How to Stop Time will probably enjoy this title as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada, Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster for a copy of this ARC to review.

Nine-year-old Aubry is living in Paris with her family when one day she becomes violently ill. The family doctor can't help her but Aubry discovers if she leaves the area where she's been sick, she gets better. She also discovers if she stays in one place for more than three or four days she becomes violently ill again. She and her mother travel while searching for a cure but the money is drying up. Aubry writes a note to her sleeping mother and leaves to start travelling the world on her own.

This is a story about the journey and not the destination, longing, loss, personal growth and adventure. It's also about the people who made the biggest impact on Aubry throughout her life. Most of them, due to the nature of her illness, meant she was only with them for a few days. How do you make the most of your short time with someone? Make friends? Fall in love? Let go? How do you grow as a person and survive in an ever changing environment? (Shh, there are secret libraries. Secret doors to secret libraries!) Who is the voice in her head that she talks to? And what about that wooden puzzle ball that sometimes shows her which direction to go?

I absolutely loved this book from start to finish. Beautiful writing, short chapters (my favourite), magical and a destination I love. I am not one for trying to figure out what might be going on, I prefer the ride the story takes me on. But, I was so intrigued by what might be causing the illness and what might be going on with Aubry that I was making notes throughout, wondering if what I had just read were hints or not. This is definitely a story you can read and contemplate or devour in one sitting. Your choice on how to enjoy this adventure

Aubrey finds and then discards a wooden puzzle ball which changes the course of her life. Days later she discovers she must keep moving in order to prevent bleeding to death. Her condition prevents her from forming long lasting relationships, however the flip side of that is she is able to visit places and have experiences that others cannot. The novel is the story of her life’s journey and hope she will find a place she can call home.

I really enjoyed this novel and became quite engaged in Aubrey’s story and how her perspective changed as the novel progressed. I found it uplifting at times and heart breaking at other times. I think it contains themes related to the importance of connecting with others, the perception of choice and how life experiences can help an individual come to understand themself and widen perspectives.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for providing me with a ARC of this novel. All of the opinions offered in this review are solely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC of this book! This is such a beautifully written book and I read it in the span of a day simply because I couldn't put it down. The chapters are short which I loved. This book made me realize that no matter where you are or what you're doing life is amzing because you get to experience it. The only thing I would have changed about this book is the timeline, it got a bit confusing for me because it wasn't in chronological order.

Aubrey Tourvel is on the run from a mysterious ailment that forces her to keep moving, preventing her from forming lasting connections. The book, reminiscent of V.E. Schwab's work, carves its own unique path with a distinctive plot and globetrotting adventures. As a travel enthusiast, I experienced a lush, sensory journey through Aubrey's eyes, appreciating the author's skillful prose that strikes a balance between ornate and accessible.

Despite the thematic similarities, Westerbeke authentically portrays his female protagonist, crafting a character who is strong-willed, resourceful, resilient, and determined, with a touch of humor. The romantic scenes are tastefully written, showcasing the author's skill in crafting compelling relationships.

The unexpected direction of the ending, reminiscent of the transcendence seen in Interstellar, left me contemplating its satisfaction. Overall, this sweeping adventure is heart-wrenching, poignant, thought-provoking, and joyful, emphasizing the importance of human connection and the resilience of the human spirit. If you're a fan of Addie La Rue and have a thirst for travel, you'll likely find this a delightful read.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

Beautiful and meandering.

A Short Walk Through a Wide World is the story of Aubry Tourvel, a woman who is unable to remain in any one place for more than a few days due to a curse that would kill her. With no medical treatment options, Aubry begins travelling the world as a child, her only constant companion the strange puzzle ball she found before her journey began.

First and foremost, the writing is beautiful, Westerbeke truly paints a scene.

There is something very lovely and very tragic about this story. It’s been a few weeks between reading it and writing this and I’m still struggling to find the right words for it. For me, this was a slow read that I put down often. Westerbeke has a great handle on how different people may view or respond to the same thing, offering some really interesting insights into travel, wanderlust, and survival.

The world explored in the story is both the one we know and yet also something stranger and incredibly fascinating.

The few relationships we get to see over the course of the novel are lovely and interesting, but, by the very nature of Aubry’s sickness, also tragic. Ultimately, this is Aubry’s story, and the relationships all take a backseat to the adventure and her internal struggle, which may leave some readers wanting more.

There were two parts in this novel that brought tears to my eyes, and yet I am also not satisfied with how some of the storylines were wrapped up. I’m left with mixed, but generally positive, feelings.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for making the DRC available to me. All opinions are my own.

Content Warning: blood, body horror, medical trauma, death, assault, animal death, et cetera

I love being pulled into a story. Where I feel that I'm also there and apart of the journey.

I had travelled into a world unlike ours. A world full of fantasy, magic and adventure and travels.

I will not forget this book anytime soon.

Thank you Simon&Schuster and Netgalley

All thoughts and opinions are my own and aren't influenced by anyone else

Loved this book.

It reminded me of an inspiring Paolo Coelho story.

Aubry, the main character, finds a Chinese puzzle ball and doesn't want to throw it in a wishing well while her two sisters have thrown in their prized possession to have their wish become reality. Instead, Aubry walks away but is then cursed with a sickness where the only cure is to keep on moving. Aubry starts walking, and that takes her around the world, living amazing adventures, meeting people of all races and cultures and finding live along the way.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free, electronic version of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Apr. 9, 2024
“A Short Walk Through the Wide World” by Douglas Westerbeke is part fantasy, part time-travel and pure enjoyment that reminded me of “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and “The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue”.
At nine years old, Aubry discovers a wooden puzzle ball and an old well, both items so arbitrary and unremarkable and yet they change young Aubry’s life forever. After these moments, Aubry grows ill with a sudden onset and unknown illness, one that causes convulsions and extreme pain and, as Aubry discovers, the only way to keep it from coming on is to constantly keep in motion. After leaving her family and life behind in Paris, Aubry travels from country to country, unable to stay in one place for longer than two or three days at a time. Although she meets intriguing people, she cannot form a long-term relationship with anyone and, for the most part, endures her travel alone. As she continues to age and wander, Aubry hopes to find a cure for her illness and ends up discovering more about herself and the world around her.
Aubry is a powerful character, setting out into the world at nine years old and surviving every trial set before her. A young girl, then woman, Aubry is lonely as she travels the world solo, unable to form and keep relationships. Everything about Aubry is emotional, admirable and likable and I became immediately invested in her story, hoping for a positive outcome.
Each chapter is given a title, which specifies where Aubry is at the time. Although the novel is told in chronological order (for the most part), there are sections where Aubry jumps to particularly relevant timeframes, or when she is retelling her story and I appreciated the chapter labels at these times.
As Aubry moves from country to country, she spends long periods of time in libraries that appear as portals, providing Aubry with respite and knowledge. This should come as no surprise but these magical libraries were by far my favourite part. The necessity to travel across continents and see unknown wonders, and then to be able to escape in mysterious libraries that appear only to you? Sounds like my kind of place (with the exception of the incurable illness, of course).
“World” is a debut novel, and Westerbeke’ writing is creative and cerebral, without being dense. I am intrigued by his work and can guarantee that he will quickly draw the right amount of attention. I cannot wait to see what Westerbeke does next!

Very much can sense the main theme of...yes the journey is the destination and for the protagonist it will save and enrich her life. The magical realism mood + atmosphere is very interesting to feel. Could sense Aubrey very much could wandering worlds of worlds on different planes of existence and it was interesting to see her growth from bratty kid to wise wander as she adapts to her "illness" and see all the wonders and people the world has to offer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel from the author, and I will be reading all his future pieces of work! After I finished this book I had to sit for a while before I could pick up another book. The journey you go on as a reader is amazing. I will be recommending this to many people I know!

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I could give this book all of the stars and it wouldn’t be enough. This is a book where you finish sad that it’s over. You finish and have to sit with the beautiful story that settles both heavily and light in your heart. I’ll be getting a physical book because this is a life book

Walking with Aubry Tourvel through the world was a delight. While it’s a world we know it’s a different world she experiences. A fantastical journey without being a strictly fantasy novel. There are beautiful and heartbreaking secrets, an intimate and full experience of places we’ll never see in such a manner and while the companions are temporary they are brilliant and demonstrate more of the world and humanity. This book is whimsical and does best if you are a passenger princess who wants to follow along for a random adventure.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster/Avid Reader for this advanced reader copy of Douglas Westerbekes debut novel A Short Walk Through A Wide World.

At the age of nine Aubrey Tourvel realizes she cannot stop traveling. After only a couple of days in one place, her curse or illness causing immense pain and bleeding. The only way to avoid this is to move on every few days. As a child she is accompanied by her mother but then moves on alone accompanied only by strangers she meets on her way. Every once in a while a secret door appears leading her into a library that can even transverse countries, picture stories abound but no people. In this mystical journey we are allowed to accompany Aubrey getting to know her and some of her companions in far away lands. This book seems to pick you up and carry you along on a journey of your own. It was a hard one to put down. I recommend it to any fantasy lover. Our world becomes quite mystical as we travel it through someone else's eyes.
Thank you to #NetGalley#Simon&SchusterCanada#AvidReaderPress for this wonderful EARC