The Walk: A Novel (The Walk Series)

Richard Paul Evans delights his readers again with the beginning of his new series, "The Walk". This is a well-crafted and thought out storyline. In the first installment we are introduced to Alan Christoffersen. As the story begins, Alan is living his life as he pretty much expected, having a stellar career in advertising and loving his wife and best friend McKale. As his world begins to crumble after his wife's accident, Alan is forced deal with a series of events that ultimately takes her, his job and his home. On the brink of the ultimate self- destruction, he is haunted by McKale's final word "Live". Still reeling with grief, he decides to leave it all and begins a trek across the country on a 3000 mile walk with only his backpack and his favorite hat. His is a quest for finding peace within himself and ultimately hope. Along the way, Alan's time of quiet introspection leaves him thinking and discovering what truly is inside his heart. Evans again uses the journal format and it is interesting to read and get inside Alan's head. Equally, noted are the descriptions of Alan's choice of "traveling cuisine" in the form of mostly junk food and empty calories to fuel his walking. Some reviewers noted that this was disturbing. Personally, I get it . Ding Dongs are a great anti-depressant. But more than that I was taken in by his thoughts as he dined alone where ever the mood struck him. At first I think food became his companion and he seemed to get a momentary pleasure and relief from his demons that continually lurked in the shadows. During a time of grieving, you take comfort where you can get it. Alan meets some interesting characters in this book and beyond. Some will challenge him, some will give him a reason to think outside himself and his grief. Sometimes giving someone else hope will help you to discover it for yourself. Alan begins to learn this lesson in this first book. We struggle with him and maybe some small part of what he learns will touch us too. I am truly looking forward to the series and I have already read the second book "Miles to Go". I know that a few reviewers were not happy that it is a series. I wonder how many who noted this tune in every week to either American Idol or The Bachelor? For me, if I am going to invest my time and mind in a storyline, then I would rather get lost in the pages of Alan's journal and discover all that is waiting on "The Walk". Richard Paul Evans is an amazing storyteller that keeps his readers coming back for more. Don't miss out on this inspiring journey.

The author did a great job of letting the reader feel Alan's love for his wife McKale, and his pain over her accident and loss. He also did a great job of letting us go on Alan's journey with him. The people were real, the places were real, and every thing/one was alive on the pages. Now I know we all have different ideas as to what we like and don't like in books, but really, how could anyone not like this book? I thought it was SO GOOD! I read some of the negative reviews that said the book didn't have enough action, was boring, was only about the people he met and that they were all too nice. Did they forget about the "bad" people he met? They were about as bad as you can get. Anyway, the book is not a thriller, suspense or murder mystery. It's a book about a man on a walk across the U.S. to clear his head and heart of some very bad stuff. Of course it's not going to be full of action. After all, he spends his days walking, What else could the book be about other than the people he meets, where he eats/sleeps, and the scenery? And the way the author writes the story, that's enough. I loved that Alan met Angel. I don't know yet, but I'm thinking they'll be friends for life. The book was a quick read, but I didn't want to put it down for anything. It was so good that even though it was 3:00 am when I finished it, I got up, went to my TBR shelf, got book #2, Miles To Go, and started reading it. I'm now on book #3, The Road To Grace, so check back for my reviews on these two books. I was getting sad because I thought the series ended with book #3, but I just learned that there will be a #4, and it's coming out in May! Hopefully there will be #'s 5, 6, 7, .... I'm giving this book 5 stars. I'd give it more if that was an option.

Loved this book. Very emotional for me since I lost my husband after 50 years of marriage. I know how it feels to have pain in your heart that will never go away. This book really helped me with my own broken heart. So well written. Highly recommend this book. It’s truly given me hope.

Richard Paul Evans is one of my favorite authors. I have read almost all of his books. The book club at my church read "The Walk" when it first came out, and we anxiously look forward to each of the sequels when they come out in the spring. We meet with another book club once a year to review "The Walk" books. We have fallen in love with Alan Christopherson and enjoy all of his adventures. Evans actually traveled the same route that Alan takes on his journey across the United States. He did his research well and goes into great detail about the towns and everything along the way. You can just see the places that Alan travels through, the restaurants where he eats, and the hotels, B&B's, or camping spots where he stays. This is good, clean reading, and a great story that will have you hooked and looking forward to reading the next book. The only problem is the waiting....waiting for the next book release. But it is worth the wait. I highly recommend "The Walk" series!

Richard Paul Evans reminds us that we are all on our own journey through life in his newest release, 'The Walk'. We join Alan Christoffersen in his walk after he loses everything...his wife, career, home, and even his faith. As Alan starts on his walk across America he is given subtle reminders that there are good people in this world to help him during the difficult times on his journey, some of his helpers give him bits of inspiration to continue his walk as he finds his faith?? We can only hope he does, but we have to wait until the next book to find out if he does. *SIGH* This book is a great reminder of faith for all of us that have suffered a deep loss or tragedy in our lives. As Alan takes his walk he keeps a diary recording thoughts of his travels and the people he meets along the way. I love Alan's quotes in his diary. His quotes provoke deep thought as we take our own walk through life. My favorite is, `Only through helping others can we save ourselves'. Alan's story also reminds each of us to have gratitude for what we have in our lives, because IT can change in a blink of an eye. Richard Paul Evans makes you laugh, cry, and give deep thought in his newest book. Unfortunately, the book is over before you know it and leaves you anxiously awaiting the next book in the five book series. I was late to work the day I read it because I couldn't put it down. I shall wait patiently for the next one. You'll love this book!!!

After stumbling upon MILES TO GO (book two in this series) at a bookstore, and after reading that one, I decided to order The Walk. Although after finishing book two, and being privy to what was to come in book one, I enjoyed The Walk just as much as Miles To Go. I enjoyed the stories so much that I purchased the three remaining books to this series. Simply put, we are all sojourners here, and Richard Paul Evans writes brilliantly about life's ups and downs. What a marvelous read !

The only complaint I have ever had about Richard's books (which I have loved, BTW) is that they are too short. I always want more. I finish them so fast and then I have to wait a year for my next "fix." Well, this time, I understand that he has FIVE BOOKS in The Walk Series. I have just finished the first and it was excellent. How does Richard keep churning out these fantastic stories? I must admit, I am not like the majority of his readers. I really don't cry over his famous "ten-hankie" books. But The Walk moved me in such a way that I could not be far from my Kleenex. I ache for the loss that Alan Christoffersen suffers. And I am exhausted as I follow him on his journey through pain and sorrow and the landscape of Washington. The people he encounters on his way are rich with life and character. Yes, this book only took me three hours to read--again I wanted more than Richard gave me. But this time, I know he has four more books to follow and I just can't wait to see where Alan goes.

I glanced at a few of the reviews previously written and have to agree on one major point. This book is really not a full-length novel as the 289 pages indicates. There are so many blank pages and the book dimensions are on the small side - it's really more of a novella than anything else. I was able to read 50 pages while waiting fifteen minutes for an appointment if that tells you anything. The other thing is this story is just the first phase and is incomplete. The next installment will be published in April of 2011. Now that that is out of the way and if you are still interested in reading this, here is my take on the book: Alan Christoffersen loses everything in the beginning pages. His wife is killed after a fall from a horse and he loses his business and home in the process. Having nothing left but promising his dying wife he would "live", Alan decides to walk from Washington State to Key West Florida. This book follows his journey part of the way through Washington. Each chapter opens with a quote from his journal or a quote from a philosopher and it adds a lot to the book. There are pearls of wisdom in them and they crystallize what is going on in his mind as he goes through this phase of his life. Following his journey is actually very interesting most of the time and we are exposed to a fair amount of detail that some will find irritating but I found to add texture and reality to the story. Overall, a good and enjoyable read with food for thought (especially at the beginning) but the actual length of the novel left a bit of a sour taste in my mouth. The story is a 4-star and the marketing misrepresentation is a 2-star. Averages out to 3 stars for me.

I bought the audio Cd. A friend of mine had read the book and said I should read it. I loved every moment of this story. I think Richard Paul Evan's voice is lovely and sweet and sentimental. Truthfully I think I fell in love with his voice and want to hear everything he reads! The story is close to home in many ways for me. I have felt so many of the things he speaks of. I loved the idea of the walk as that is where I believe I am in my life right now, so I can't wait to read the other 2 books and see how it all turns out! I think we are all broken in a some way and it is nice to see the strength and hope that people have and how everyday folk just persevere, because that is the way.... of life...

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Excelente libro gracias

‘We are all on a walk. Perhaps not as literal as mine, but a walk all the same.’ This declaration from The Walk encapsulates what the book is all about, and why I found it so inspiring. Alan Christoffersen is living the American dream – he’s a self-made man running his own advertising agency, married to his childhood sweetheart and living in an exclusive countryside neighbourhood with a lifestyle to match. Then suddenly like an earthquake, Alan’s life comes crashing down around him, all in a matter of days. His wife dies following a riding accident and while he’s at her hospital bedside his right-hand man pilfers the company’s clients. Then the money stops coming in and the bailiffs arrive. Alan reacts by doing the only one thing that makes sense to him – something that has been living inside him for as long as he can remember – a desire to walk, a compulsion to go on a distant sojourn. Closing the door on his reposed house he sets off to walk to the furthest point on his map, a journey that will take him across America from Seattle to Key West, Florida. A man I once met in Mexico told me that grief finds it hard to keep up with you when you’re on the move. What I really think he meant, was that you have a choice: you can let grief overwhelm you and fester in it, or you can choose to live. The story is written in diary form and follows a road movie-style narrative, a formula whereby the protagonist is a part voyeur and part student/teacher. Its style locks us into Alan’s mind, and how in the context of his grief, he engages with the communities and people who cross his path. Alan’s grief is often walking alongside him and yet he continues to put one foot in front of the other; leading him to where he does not really know, apart from the dot on the other side of the continent. At first, the simple style of language and indulgent descriptions of Alan’s meals in small-town diners reminded me of Bill Bryson’s writing, but the semantics are far more than mere observation or contrived. The words put us in touch with small-town America or really the bubbles we build around our lives, a form of protection against the unknown, the comfort of familiarity; though as Alan has learned that bubble can be pierced at any time. The Walk is about a man starting out again, traversing the past and the new roads ahead. It’s dotted with magic and those shaded elements of life, somewhere between the light and the dark. The story will appeal to anyone who believes the answers are out there, but the only way to discover them is to choose to walk the walk. I’m hooked, the only problem is that my reading tower has just grown by another four books – there are five in the series!

Although I haven't walked as far as Alan did after his loss. I have 'travelled.' The author will know just what I mean. The Walk just confirmed that for me. It is the first book I have ever read written by Richard Paul Evans, but it will not be the last. For just one sentence confirmed to me that this author knows exactly what he is talking about a d it isn't fiction. For I have experienced'that kiss .