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24marsha's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I love historical fiction and learning about history through stories I had to just go a mediocre for my rating because I couldn't stand any of the characters. The first half was great actually but after the walk i just found myself always frustrated by the way they all treat each other. I felt like some of the story lacked logical conflict resolution.
lizisreadingagain's review against another edition
5.0
In a daring effort to save their family farm in 1896, Norwegian American Helga Estby takes her adult daughter Clara on a walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City to win $10,000.
Leaving their family behind and neighbors scoffing at her decision, Helga is willing to take a risk if it means she can help her family. But the journey is much more than she bargained for. It is harsh, secrets are revealed, and she returns home to loss and consequences that will be far reaching.
Upon returning to Washington, Clara goes in search of something that she can't find at home. She makes the decision to continue her own journey, leaving her family once again.
I found the story fascinating, particularly because it is based on real people and true historical events. The research Jane Kirkpatrick did to put this book together was extensive and intriguing, and she shares that process at the end of the book.
Although the characters stray from my own biblical view that a wife should honor and respect her husband as the head of the home, the Estbys were real people and this is their story. There were serious consequences which resulted from choices that were made, even though the choices were made with good intentions. I can't say that any of the Estbys responded to their hardships in a way that brought unity to their home, and unfortunately it wasn't an altogether happy story.
I highly recommend this book! The storytelling was terrific and engrossing. I found it hard to put the book down. It's hard to believe that Helga and Clara accomplished what they did, and it's worth reading the book to hear their story, a story that was almost lost forever.
I wish to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and their Blogging For Books program for providing me with a free Advance Reading Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
Leaving their family behind and neighbors scoffing at her decision, Helga is willing to take a risk if it means she can help her family. But the journey is much more than she bargained for. It is harsh, secrets are revealed, and she returns home to loss and consequences that will be far reaching.
Upon returning to Washington, Clara goes in search of something that she can't find at home. She makes the decision to continue her own journey, leaving her family once again.
I found the story fascinating, particularly because it is based on real people and true historical events. The research Jane Kirkpatrick did to put this book together was extensive and intriguing, and she shares that process at the end of the book.
Although the characters stray from my own biblical view that a wife should honor and respect her husband as the head of the home, the Estbys were real people and this is their story. There were serious consequences which resulted from choices that were made, even though the choices were made with good intentions. I can't say that any of the Estbys responded to their hardships in a way that brought unity to their home, and unfortunately it wasn't an altogether happy story.
I highly recommend this book! The storytelling was terrific and engrossing. I found it hard to put the book down. It's hard to believe that Helga and Clara accomplished what they did, and it's worth reading the book to hear their story, a story that was almost lost forever.
I wish to thank WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group and their Blogging For Books program for providing me with a free Advance Reading Copy. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
erincataldi's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not going to lie this book was depressing as hell. It starts off following a mother and daughter in 1896 as they make a 7,000 mile journey on foot across America in hopes of getting $10,000 to save the farm. From there nothing works out as planned, the farm is lost, Clara loses two siblings to diphtheria while she and her mother are trekking North America, and she learns some dark family secrets. All of this happens in the first fourth of the book. The rest is even more depressing as Clara tries to justify their journey, forgive her family, and find herself. It's based on a true story which in itself is even worse. The feat accomplished by Clara and her mother is impressive for that era and for now, God knows I couldn't/ wouldn't walk 7,000 miles. Unfortunately, the rift it causes in the family seems to negate any good that could have came from it. Read at your own peril.
susanp's review against another edition
2.0
This book was a great premise and based on a true story, but it was downright depressing and boring.
shinesalot's review against another edition
3.0
If you are Norwegian and especially if you have been raised by Norwegian women, this book will resonate with you. The author definitely captures the spirit of Scandinavian people living in America - doesn’t that it’s 100 years ago.
lawyerleah's review against another edition
3.0
Having familiarized myself with this story through this book was good. The writing was lightweight and the book kept my interest but it was no powerhouse as I had hoped.
karieh13's review against another edition
3.0
I started reading “The Daughter’s Walk” 5 months ago. The first 60 pages, for whatever reason, just turned SO slowly. I was not drawn into this amazing tale, even based as it is on fact, and despite the fact that I grew up in the area where this walk began.
So I put it aside…for a long time…and finally picked it up again…and this time, I was hooked. There’s a shift where the story changes from the mother’s nearly obstinate determination to force her daughter to walk across the country with her to where the daughter finally starts to shape the events, finally takes steps of her own choosing.
And then I was astonished by the fact that the walk ends…on page 94 of a 375 page book. Wasn’t this incredible journey the main focus of this story? Turns out no…and as I realized that while the mother’s walk across the United States represented the apex of her life, it was only the base of her daughter Clara’s life. Her journey started as the walk ended, the journey to understand her mother and herself. She would choose her path after the walk had ended, and those steps turned out to be some of the most difficult.
Clara goes back and forth so often as she tries to come to grips with the aftermath of the walk, the resulting circumstances of her family. At times, the resentment of her mother’s choice seems to be the prevailing force for her choices.
“If I could repeat my success each year, I’d have a nice little nest egg soon. I was doing what I’d set out to do, making my way with sound decisions that hurt no one else.”
At other times, “Maybe Mama knew the price I would have paid if I’d remained. I would have suffocated inside the silence, watching my tongue, not pursuing what I wanted. I had a freedom Ida never knew, never chose. My mother gave me a gift by sending me out, an expression of confidence that I could make it on my own.”
This daughter’s journey is so real, is neither easy nor impossible. She realizes through her mother that her life is her own…but that each choice has consequences. That decisions made, even those made responsibly and with the best of intentions, may result in a change completely unforeseen.
“Change is kind of like a prayer, isn’t it?” Louise mused as she refilled our cups with hot water. “We present it and have faith it’ll be received as intended, perhaps even better, trusting that one day it’ll be answered in a way we hope is fruitful.”
As much as I struggled with the beginning of the book, I was fascinated by the end. Author Jane Kirkpatrick lays out the details of the true story behind her novel…showing the reader what sources of information she used to flesh out the facts. The Author’s Notes were a story in and of themselves, and increased my enjoyment and appreciation of this author’s work dramatically. This tale she has woven from articles, interviews, intensive research…became one of fully formed and flawed people. A mother and daughter who struggle to find their way in the world, and in their relationship with one another.
And in the end, the daughter’s path leads her back to her mother. “I put aside the rightness or wrongness of what had happened those years before and just met my mother where she was.”
So I put it aside…for a long time…and finally picked it up again…and this time, I was hooked. There’s a shift where the story changes from the mother’s nearly obstinate determination to force her daughter to walk across the country with her to where the daughter finally starts to shape the events, finally takes steps of her own choosing.
And then I was astonished by the fact that the walk ends…on page 94 of a 375 page book. Wasn’t this incredible journey the main focus of this story? Turns out no…and as I realized that while the mother’s walk across the United States represented the apex of her life, it was only the base of her daughter Clara’s life. Her journey started as the walk ended, the journey to understand her mother and herself. She would choose her path after the walk had ended, and those steps turned out to be some of the most difficult.
Clara goes back and forth so often as she tries to come to grips with the aftermath of the walk, the resulting circumstances of her family. At times, the resentment of her mother’s choice seems to be the prevailing force for her choices.
“If I could repeat my success each year, I’d have a nice little nest egg soon. I was doing what I’d set out to do, making my way with sound decisions that hurt no one else.”
At other times, “Maybe Mama knew the price I would have paid if I’d remained. I would have suffocated inside the silence, watching my tongue, not pursuing what I wanted. I had a freedom Ida never knew, never chose. My mother gave me a gift by sending me out, an expression of confidence that I could make it on my own.”
This daughter’s journey is so real, is neither easy nor impossible. She realizes through her mother that her life is her own…but that each choice has consequences. That decisions made, even those made responsibly and with the best of intentions, may result in a change completely unforeseen.
“Change is kind of like a prayer, isn’t it?” Louise mused as she refilled our cups with hot water. “We present it and have faith it’ll be received as intended, perhaps even better, trusting that one day it’ll be answered in a way we hope is fruitful.”
As much as I struggled with the beginning of the book, I was fascinated by the end. Author Jane Kirkpatrick lays out the details of the true story behind her novel…showing the reader what sources of information she used to flesh out the facts. The Author’s Notes were a story in and of themselves, and increased my enjoyment and appreciation of this author’s work dramatically. This tale she has woven from articles, interviews, intensive research…became one of fully formed and flawed people. A mother and daughter who struggle to find their way in the world, and in their relationship with one another.
And in the end, the daughter’s path leads her back to her mother. “I put aside the rightness or wrongness of what had happened those years before and just met my mother where she was.”
marmeelovesbook's review against another edition
4.0
“We are going to walk to New York City, Clara, you and I”- not exactly the words that you would expect to come out of your own mother’s mouth. And did I mention this walk was to originate in Spokane, Washington and that the time was 1896? Two women unaccompanied by a man and out to “save the farm” literally in an effort to earn ten thousand dollars provided by sponsors of the walk to pay off their mortgage on their farm. Not your everyday undertaking I must say, but then neither is this book. Jane Kirkpatrick’ offering of [b:The Daughter's Walk: A Novel|9602318|The Daughter's Walk A Novel|Jane Kirkpatrick|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1289505864s/9602318.jpg|14489445] is truly historical fiction at its finest, as this book is based on a true story. The tremendous amount of research helped to make this story truly come alive and to ring very true to the reader.
Clara Etsby starts off on what proves to be an incredible journey with her mother Helga to walk across the county wearing the new reform dress- a garment meant to symbolize “freedom for busy, active sturdy women” and to show that women did indeed possess endurance. A walking advertisement if you will to promote Women’s suffrage. Along the way they meet much adversity and I don’t want to give away anything there, but as a result of these two taking the walk, and much tragedy at home, there is a “family schism” that last for years. The story continues to follow Clara’s story and her life “after the walk”- the people she meets, challenges she faces and her growth as she reaches for reconciliation with her family. The characters are very real and the depth in their development is definitely there.
I must say that it is apparent to me that Jane Kirkpatrick put much time, energy and imagination into this story of Clara Etsby and later Clara Dore’. She obviously did her homework as it comes through in flying colors in the story. Might I suggest that the reader takes the time to read the Author’s notes and acknowledgements at the end of the book? It is truly fascinating to follow her research trail and see how she pieced this story together based on interviews with relatives, historical documents and experts on the time. I must admit a small bias as the story largely takes place in the Spokane area- I’m very familiar with this area being from Washington State so I really personally enjoyed all the geographical references. If you like a good historical novel with very real characters, I highly encourage you to pick up this book.
This Book was provided by Waterbrook Press through the "Blogging for Books" program in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed were my own.
Clara Etsby starts off on what proves to be an incredible journey with her mother Helga to walk across the county wearing the new reform dress- a garment meant to symbolize “freedom for busy, active sturdy women” and to show that women did indeed possess endurance. A walking advertisement if you will to promote Women’s suffrage. Along the way they meet much adversity and I don’t want to give away anything there, but as a result of these two taking the walk, and much tragedy at home, there is a “family schism” that last for years. The story continues to follow Clara’s story and her life “after the walk”- the people she meets, challenges she faces and her growth as she reaches for reconciliation with her family. The characters are very real and the depth in their development is definitely there.
I must say that it is apparent to me that Jane Kirkpatrick put much time, energy and imagination into this story of Clara Etsby and later Clara Dore’. She obviously did her homework as it comes through in flying colors in the story. Might I suggest that the reader takes the time to read the Author’s notes and acknowledgements at the end of the book? It is truly fascinating to follow her research trail and see how she pieced this story together based on interviews with relatives, historical documents and experts on the time. I must admit a small bias as the story largely takes place in the Spokane area- I’m very familiar with this area being from Washington State so I really personally enjoyed all the geographical references. If you like a good historical novel with very real characters, I highly encourage you to pick up this book.
This Book was provided by Waterbrook Press through the "Blogging for Books" program in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed were my own.
dannb's review against another edition
3.0
Suffragette history pulled me in; however, I eventually was annoyed by the stubborn and inflexible nature of the main character.... For me, it was distracting. It seems like this should have been divided into two books...and I would have liked it so much more if there was more focus on the walk.
alexiachantel's review against another edition
3.0
Have you ever watched an inspiring movie or read a remarkable book and then sat back and wondered what happened to the characters after the credits rolled? A Daughter’s Walk is one of those inspiring tales.
It all began with two women embarking on a walk that would change not only their lives but to help influence the way women were viewed. It is hard to imagine what it would have been like to be a woman in the late 1800’s, even harder to imagine being a woman and stepping out of the little box that men had confined women to for so long. Kirkpatrick does a wonderful job of introducing you to the two daring women who took on the 3500-mile walk and describing what life was like back then.
The walk in itself was a major feat but the book takes you beyond that and answers the question of “What happened next?” Tragedy befalls the women’s family and as a result the daughter splits from them and goes her own way. A young woman breaking away from family and striking out on her own was not a common thing back then, and it is amazing to hear of everything that Clara accomplished. She had a brilliant business mind and put it to use, she didn’t restrict herself to the idea that a woman should get married and leave business to the men. A wonderful thing to have her story kept alive.
Kirkpatrick did a lot of research and interviewing, her hard work is evident in how well Clara’s story is presented. This book is well worth your time.
It all began with two women embarking on a walk that would change not only their lives but to help influence the way women were viewed. It is hard to imagine what it would have been like to be a woman in the late 1800’s, even harder to imagine being a woman and stepping out of the little box that men had confined women to for so long. Kirkpatrick does a wonderful job of introducing you to the two daring women who took on the 3500-mile walk and describing what life was like back then.
The walk in itself was a major feat but the book takes you beyond that and answers the question of “What happened next?” Tragedy befalls the women’s family and as a result the daughter splits from them and goes her own way. A young woman breaking away from family and striking out on her own was not a common thing back then, and it is amazing to hear of everything that Clara accomplished. She had a brilliant business mind and put it to use, she didn’t restrict herself to the idea that a woman should get married and leave business to the men. A wonderful thing to have her story kept alive.
Kirkpatrick did a lot of research and interviewing, her hard work is evident in how well Clara’s story is presented. This book is well worth your time.