A Short Walk Through a Wide World

Author Douglas Westerbeke
Narrator Saskia Maarleveld
Publisher Random House
Publish Date 2 April 2024
Run Time 11 hours and 4 minutes
Format Audio
Genre Adventure fiction, Fantasy, Historical adventure fiction, Magical realism, Narrative theme: Displacement, exile, migration, Narrative theme: health and illness.

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

A spellbinding fantasy adventure that follows a young woman struck down by a mysterious curse, and her extraordinary journey in search of survival.

PARIS, 1885. On an otherwise ordinary night, Aubry Tourvel – spoiled, stubborn and nine years old – is suddenly struck down by a mysterious illness at the family dinner table.

When a visit to a doctor only makes her worse, Aubry flees to the outskirts of the city, where she realises that it is this very act of movement that keeps her alive.

She has no choice: she must run from this curse. And so begins her incredible lifelong journey across the world.

But with risk at every turn, what will it take for Aubry to survive?

‘Races around the globe, through deserts and cities, across oceans’
Oprah Daily

‘Imagine Life of Pi and The Midnight Library rolled into one’
New York Times

‘An epic adventure…rich with all the possibilities the world can hold’
People

©2024 Douglas Westerbeke (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

A gorgeous ode to wanderlust... Douglas Westerbeke's dazzling debut takes readers on a thought-provoking journey through cultures and timelines...and also, through a mysterious cave-bound library. I savored every page of this book!

SHELBY VAN PELT, bestselling author of Remarkably Bright Creatures

This whirlwind fever dream of a novel races around the globe, through markets, deserts and cities, across oceans, over mountains, into the caverns of a vast underground library, chasing its extraordinary protagonist, Aubry Tourvel... Welcome to her exciting, dangerous and romantic life

Oprah Daily

Westerbeke's extraordinary debut spans decades, unfolding via stories told by Aubry to those she meets while circumnavigating the globe... Striking set pieces, stunning character work and evocative, insightful prose make every page worth savouring. A hopeful tale of improbable friendships, whirlwind romances and unexpected joy

Kirkus Reviews

A shining story...with exciting twists and prose that feels like legend, this is an essential read for anyone looking to renew their lust for life. Perfect for fans of Matt Haig and V.E. Schwab

Barnes & Noble

An epic adventureu2026 rich with all the possibilities the world can hold

People

A one-of-a-kind love letter to nature, humanity, and the stories we all carry within ourselves. Westerbekeu2019s engrossing, assured debut will enchant fans of Erin Morgenstern and Alix Harrow

Booklist (starred review)

A wild romping adventure, a poignant tale of relationships and interconnectedness, and a compelling journey of self-discovery. A Short Walk Through a Wide World is utterly engrossing, a world - worlds - to get lost in... every reader will find something to love

Shelf Awareness

That rare book that immediately becomes a dear friendu2026 beautifulu2026 This is a novel that asks what it is to love the world, and what it is for the world to love us. A grand adventure that begs to be revisited again and again

ERIKA SWYLER, author of The Book of Speculation and Light From Other Stars

Enthralling... Capturing each moment of Aubryu2019s sweeping odyssey with extraordinary vividness, Westerbekeu2019s poignant epic speaks to the challenges of knowing oneself and others in a world of endless change. This is unforgettable

Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Readers of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab and Life of Pi by Yann Martel will fall in love with Aubry. Librarian Westerbekeu2019s debut is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys armchair travel and stories that open wide to embrace every experience

Library Journal (starred review)

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