I just finished reading The Walk, a series of five books by Richard Paul Evans. I loved every step of the 3,000+ mile walk and the few breaks we had to take. Here are some of the highlights of our journey, book by book.
The Walk by Richard Paul EvansMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Alan has lost everything: his wife, his house, his business, and his cars. He packs his back pack; leaves his faithful employee and friend in charge of what is left of his money and possessions; and starts walking from Seattle, Washington to Key West, Florida. Well, I going on a his journey with him. Alan's story caught me and won't let go. While there are tender moments that make me tear-up, the story is not sappy. I am looking forward to seeing the places his journey takes him. I have been to all 50 States and I want to see if he travels through some of the same places I have. The first part of his ''Walk" keeps him in Washington State. We get as far as Spokane before we have to come to a halt for five months. Here we meet Angel who turns out to be a flesh and body one. There's a story here, but won't spoil it for you. I have only been to Washington's coast; therefore, Central and Western Washington was new territory for me.
Miles to GoI love this story. We are covering a lot of territory on this leg of the trip: Spokane to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where we meet Kailamai, another story. Then, we went to Ennis, Montana, through Yellowstone National Park, to Cody, Wyoming, and stopping at Rapid City, South Dakota and Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. A lot of the places I have actually visited. It was fun to go there again with Alan. This series of books is a really fast read so I am reading them as one novel. The minute I finish one I start the next one.
The Road to GraceI am still enjoying the journey. We started out at Rapid City and went east, passing Wall Drug, everyone knows about Wall Drug. Then, we crossed the border or Idaho into Sioux City, Iowa, and went on south to Sidney. We are halfway to Key West! We keep on going through St. Joseph and Hannibal, Missouri. Then, we hit a speed bump in St. Louis and our journey is again delayed to get over it. I am a meeting a lot new people from diverse backgrounds and lives. I will keep walking...just started 'A Step of Faith'.
A Step of FaithWe got over the speed bump and are on our way again. Starting in St. Louis and to Memphis, Tennessee, and Tupelo, Mississippi, to visit the haunts of The King. Wow, we go through Birmingham, Alabama, and across, Southern Georgia. Oops, we are going to have to take a break again. It's been a long walk, but I am hanging in there and loving every step. We are in the South now-my part of the country. I am recognizing more of the places and certainly can relate to the people. Mr. Evans captures each moment like he has actually made this walk. Can hardly wait to get the last one!
Walking on WaterFinally, we are on the last miles of our journey. We started our journey again at the Northern border of Florida through the Okefenokee Swamp, Kennedy Space Center, Miami and finally landed at the Southernmost tip of Key West. I did not like this book as much as the other four books. There were too many pages devoted to the past history of Alan's family. I did not think it added too much to the story. The ending seemed anti-climatic. I am not sure how I wanted the story to end; it just seemed to fall short of the rest of the journey. It took so long to get here. Even the Epilogue was disappointing. I thought it needed more or maybe I was just sad to end the journey.
Well worth the read. Recommend!
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A Note: What I thought most interesting? The author and his daughter actually took this trip from Seattle to Key West by car to do the research for this book. They actually met one of the characters along the way. What a great way to research a book and bond with your daughter.
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