Book Review: The Daughter's Walk

The Daughter's Walk, by Jane Kirkpatrick, is historical fictions at its best.  The book is based on the true story of Helga and Clara Estby, who walked 7000 miles, across the United States, to raise money for their family.  The author picks up the story, and fills in the holes, where family and news records leave off.

"In 1896 Norwegian American Helga Estby accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000. Bringing along her nineteen year-old daughter Clara, the two made their way on the 3500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks and motivated by the money they needed to save the family farm.  After returning home to the Estby farm more than a year later, Clara chose to walk on alone by leaving the family and changing her name. Her decisions initiated a more than 20-year separation from the only life she had known."

The book focuses on Clara's life story, how this walk took her away from her family, and how the rest of her life experiences led her back to her family.  The characters in this book are well written, showing the depths of who they are, and how the events at the beginning of the book, shape them throughout the story.  Everyone in the family are changed, in one way or the other, by the walk, and the repercussions are felt years later.

Being a history buff, I'm drawn to historical fiction, and appreciate that the author gave great attention to the period.  This book gives a social historical rendering of the times.  I recommend this book, if you are looking for a book to read for fun, or as an educational resource.
 To learn more about this book click over to the publisher's page, WaterBrook Multnomah, to order or even read an excerpt.

Note:  I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review