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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
I absolutely loved this! Not only can you relate to it because everyone experiences loss, but it also is humbling to see that everybody struggles with things and finding out things about life! It's a quick read and truly touches your heart!
A standard riches-to-rags story about an executive who loses it all and goes on the title peregrination to find it again, at least metaphorically so. Beautiful, if Hallmark-esque, writing. Part of a series that I wanted to read but never got around to. (7.5)
Though I have enjoyed and been touched by each of them, Richard Paul Evans' books seem to mostly begin with rather depressing life events - the serious illness or death of a loved one, professional breakdowns, family problems, etc. Part way through each book, things begin to pick up, until finally, by the end of the book, the problems or challenges are resolved in some way (not always the way I anticipated, but always good).
The Walk seems to be even more filled with doom and gloom than the usual Evans novel. I couldn't see how the issues could be resolved. The two main characters seem to be deeply in love, but I came to believe that their love was built on mutual co-dependence and a shaky foundation of materialistic self-interest, albeit as a couple rather than individually. In the light of rationality, most of the bad things that happen after McKale's death should not have been unexpected. They lived a life of near complete financial misconduct, and though appearing to have the world by the tail, like many people of less apparent wealth, they were just one small misstep from financial destruction, which of course is what happens. And then it gets worse...rather than stick around and work to fix the problems, pay off creditors, and return to making a real contribution in the world, instead Evans seems to think it is somehow noble for his main character to simply walk off and leave the whole mess for others to clean up...another, even more complete, act of self-absorption.
Despite those complaints, as one who loves travel, the rest of the book captured my attention as a travelogue, albeit fictional, and Alan's cross-country walk is something I would love to do...if I could somehow set aside my responsibilities and obligations to my faith, family, and freedoms. Which of course I can't and won't. I can taste it in small doses, though, in my professional and personal travels nationally and internationally. At one point mid-way through the book, Alan says "I believe that in spite of the chains we bind ourselves with, there's a primordial section of the human psyche that is still nomadic and still yearns to roam free...Every generation has dreamed of roaming. Deep in our hearts everyone wants to walk free." I tend to agree, at least for the more restless among us, and I am one of them. The second half of the book, dealing with Alan’s walkabout, was fascinating to me, and in my own travels, I have occasionally had positive experiences similar to his with the friendliness of small town folks.
I wish the second part of The Walk series was available now.
The Walk seems to be even more filled with doom and gloom than the usual Evans novel. I couldn't see how the issues could be resolved. The two main characters seem to be deeply in love, but I came to believe that their love was built on mutual co-dependence and a shaky foundation of materialistic self-interest, albeit as a couple rather than individually. In the light of rationality, most of the bad things that happen after McKale's death should not have been unexpected. They lived a life of near complete financial misconduct, and though appearing to have the world by the tail, like many people of less apparent wealth, they were just one small misstep from financial destruction, which of course is what happens. And then it gets worse...rather than stick around and work to fix the problems, pay off creditors, and return to making a real contribution in the world, instead Evans seems to think it is somehow noble for his main character to simply walk off and leave the whole mess for others to clean up...another, even more complete, act of self-absorption.
Despite those complaints, as one who loves travel, the rest of the book captured my attention as a travelogue, albeit fictional, and Alan's cross-country walk is something I would love to do...if I could somehow set aside my responsibilities and obligations to my faith, family, and freedoms. Which of course I can't and won't. I can taste it in small doses, though, in my professional and personal travels nationally and internationally. At one point mid-way through the book, Alan says "I believe that in spite of the chains we bind ourselves with, there's a primordial section of the human psyche that is still nomadic and still yearns to roam free...Every generation has dreamed of roaming. Deep in our hearts everyone wants to walk free." I tend to agree, at least for the more restless among us, and I am one of them. The second half of the book, dealing with Alan’s walkabout, was fascinating to me, and in my own travels, I have occasionally had positive experiences similar to his with the friendliness of small town folks.
I wish the second part of The Walk series was available now.
“The Walk” is a story who a man who loses everything yet gains a new appreciation for life and people. The story begins with the main character Alan at a beach in Florida while the remainder of the book presents all of the events
that lead to Alan’s journey.
The author presents Alan’s story in a easy to follow manner and the reader finds themselves feeling joys at Alan’s triumphs along with sadness as the life he’s worked so hard to build with his beloved wife McKale falls apart. I think a lot of reader can see themselves in Alan in that you put off doing this today because you believe you’ll have time to accomplish it tomorrow. This book shows that tomorrow is not promised and that it’s only when we hit rock bottom that we can begin to rebuild and heal.
After Alan’s life is complete torn asunder, he decides to achieve a lifelong dream of walking across the country and decides to walk from Washington to Florida. Although he initially keeps to himself during his walking trip, over time he meets and befriends numerous people who help him with the grieving process.
As a personal who has been keeping a diary/journal since I was a young girl, I appreciated the author starting each chapter with a hand written journal except. In addition, I liked that The author allows Alan to full experience his emotions and even express anger at God for taking his wife away. The writing in the book flows well and it is an easy read. Alan’s story is so engaging that I plan to read the entire series because I want to see what other people he interacts with on his walk to Florida.
that lead to Alan’s journey.
The author presents Alan’s story in a easy to follow manner and the reader finds themselves feeling joys at Alan’s triumphs along with sadness as the life he’s worked so hard to build with his beloved wife McKale falls apart. I think a lot of reader can see themselves in Alan in that you put off doing this today because you believe you’ll have time to accomplish it tomorrow. This book shows that tomorrow is not promised and that it’s only when we hit rock bottom that we can begin to rebuild and heal.
After Alan’s life is complete torn asunder, he decides to achieve a lifelong dream of walking across the country and decides to walk from Washington to Florida. Although he initially keeps to himself during his walking trip, over time he meets and befriends numerous people who help him with the grieving process.
As a personal who has been keeping a diary/journal since I was a young girl, I appreciated the author starting each chapter with a hand written journal except. In addition, I liked that The author allows Alan to full experience his emotions and even express anger at God for taking his wife away. The writing in the book flows well and it is an easy read. Alan’s story is so engaging that I plan to read the entire series because I want to see what other people he interacts with on his walk to Florida.
Depressing but got a little less so as the story went along. Has great one liners and points to ponder. A good book for teaching metaphors.
I loved this book. It has been on my must read list for awhile and I am so glad that I finally started it. It is beautifully written. It includes humor and is very thought provoking and causes me to feel very immersed in the story. I think Alan's character has a variety of traits that everyone can relate to in some way and I enjoyed reading this and very much look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Very inspiring story. Sweet characters, good message.
What would you do if you lost everything? The big house you worked hard for, the expensive cars, oh, and don't forget the family you've created too. All of it....gone! poof. What this man does, is pretty impressive. True or not, it reads like non-fiction. We could all learn a little bit from this story. Great read, I can't get my hands on the next book in the series fast enough. Top of my reading list!
What would you do if you lost everything? The big house you worked hard for, the expensive cars, oh, and don't forget the family you've created too. All of it....gone! poof. What this man does, is pretty impressive. True or not, it reads like non-fiction. We could all learn a little bit from this story. Great read, I can't get my hands on the next book in the series fast enough. Top of my reading list!
The first half, great, very good really, super light, easy to read, amazing. The second half... Well, it's when he actually starts the walk that things get, well, boring. I haven't really figured out what was so bad, but I guess it was really just the walk, because whenever he stopped and actually talked to someone, those parts were good too. I know there's a second but I have no intention of reading it, to be quite honest, even though I was curious to know if, or when he was finally going to call Falene back!!
Really quick read. I've always wanted to read this book, but have never gotten around to it until now. I actually had the book and had forgotten it was on the bookshelf. The story of a man who has lost everything and decides to walk away from his life. Interesting premise. I liked all of the people he meets along the way and the peeks into the little towns he passes through. As I was about half way through the book I realized he wasn't going to be getting to Key West any time soon. I guess I'd better get to the library and see how the rest of this walk turns out.
Don't ask me why I picked this up...Yet another man-in-crisis-goes-for-a-long-walk book. It actually wasn't half bad, but it was half written. The author just...stopped writing. Very abrupt ending.