The Daughter’s Walk
Description
In 1986 Norwegian American Helga Estby accepted a wager from the fasion industry to walk from Spokane, Washinton, to New York City withing seven months in an effort to earn ten thousand dollars and save the family farm. She brough along her eighteen-year-old daughter, Clara, and the two made their way on the 3,500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks. After returning home to the Estby farm more than a year later, Clara chose to walk on alone, leaving the family and changing her name. Her decisions initiated a more than twenty-year separation from the only life she had known.
Historical fiction writer Jane Kirkpatrick picks up where the fact of the Estbys’ walk leaves off to explore Clara’s continued journey. What motivated Clara to take such a risk in an era when many women struggled with the issues of rights and independence? And what personal revelations brough Clara to the end of her lonely road? The Daughter’s Walk weaves personal history and fiction together to invite readers to consider their own journeys and family separations, to help determine what exile and forgiveness are truly about.
Linda’s Review
“One of the reasons I chose to read this book was because I always enjoy historical fiction that is based on events that have actually taken place.
One of the things I found interesting was when the author went into detail about the way women dressed in the late 1800s. The whole reason for the wager was to save the family farm and Helga and Clara were to walk across the United States in a new modern dress. This dress would allow them to be more athletic and it exposed their ankles, which was unheard of in those days!
The author does a great job writing about the relational struggle between the entire family. There are some serious feelings of betrayal between the family before the walk even began because Helga disobeyed her husband. After the walk is completed Clara understands her mother better but still makes a decision to leave her family and make her own way. It was like reading two books or stories in one.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction.”
Other Reviews from Amazon
“…Is there a difference between bravery and recklessness? When does self-respect
cross the line to too much pride? Why is it so hard to forgive ourselves and
others? What began as a trip to save the family farm and show the world what
women can do, completely changed the lives of Helga, Clara and everyone around
them. This book reminds us that through life’s tragedies, we can choose to lie
down and give in or we can stand up and fight back.”
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“…The book is first rate reading material. You will not be disappointed. The author, Jane
Kirkpatrick, does great in writing, researching, and delivering a classic book to readers everywhere. I can’t speak enough of this book or read it fast enough.”
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“…. I let my imagination drift back to a time when it wasn’t acceptable for women to do such a things! I allowed myself to take the journey across and unknown territory.
What it must of been like for these woman to carry a burden that they had to
succeed or lose their family farm. Thank you Jane Kirkpatrick for sharing with
us a story of adventure about two women who discover whom they are and whom God
has created them to be. I truly enjoyed it and I’m sure others will too!”
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“This book is a gem for all sorts of reading tastes: women’s studies, historical,
Christian, non-Christian, and so on. I hope that the book will not be
pigeonholed as the story is meaningful regardless of creed and calls for a wide
audience.
I applaud Kirkpatrick for her impeccable research and desire
to bring Helga and Clara’s story to light. I know only too well how many stories
of women and other marginalized groups have been lost, and for each that is
recovered thousands are lost forever.
Furthermore, Kirkpatrick asks
important questions that all of us ask ourselves as we navigate through life,
regardless of place or time, such as what constitutes a family, how do we deal
with our successes and failures independent of what others think, and how do we
heal from the hurts of the past.”
The Living Well 