The Daughter's Walk

When I first requested the book “The Daughter’s Walk” by Jane Kirkpatrick, I was not sure if it would be a book that I could get into.   The picture on the cover is what had drawn me.  Knowing that it was based on a true account, I knew that I wanted to read it.  

When the book arrived, I was intrigued with the account of Clara and her Mother, taking on the challenge to walk across the United States in the year 1896.  I found that I could not put the book down.  Two women, on a journey in hopes of being able to save their land.

After many delays, they make it, only to be told that they were a few days late.  Arriving back home, they find that there were deaths in the family.  The consequences that follow are hard to accept.

Clara has found out that she really is not her father’s child and starts out on a journey to find who she is.  With the help of two ladies Clara starts on her own walk and is faced with her own challenges.

The author, Jane Kirkpatrick has brought to the reader a novel that is full of facts with just enough fiction to tell their story.    My heart ached at times and yet the tenderness of Clara towards a family that wanted to hear nothing of the journey, helped me to understand that family should always matter. 

This was family: people who shared griefs and joys and didn’t let the love of money set  the tone, people who accommodated each other, stepped aside at times without, “It’s my way or no way at all.” (page 223)

I would rate this book a 5, due to the storyline, facts given and the ease of being able to follow the characters from the start to the finish.  This book will be one that I will remember and will share with others. 

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