ABAW: The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

The Walk by Richard Paul Evans

Simon & Schuster 2010 (library copy)

I do not normally read inspirational fiction, so like other books I’ve read for the Book a Week project, this one pushes me into new territory. 

This story has potential. Alan is a man who loses his wife and business suddenly and decides to set out on a walk across the country. Stories of how we move on from tragedy can inspire us, can offer us the chance to envision our own potential for recovery. Unfortunately, the execution of the story feels flat, the characters lack depth, and I was frustrated that the story lacked a sense of authenticity for me.

Here’s an example of one of my problems with the story. The main character loves his wife. But why? What is it in her that he is drawn to (besides her beauty)? What makes these characters more than cardboard cutouts? I couldn’t connect with them. Their life is apparently awesome, but even though he’s smart enough to start a great business and win many awards in his field, he seems completely unaware of the world around him. At every turn in the story he seems baffled by people and stymied with inaction.

But Dani, you might say, he’s just lost everything dear to him. Perhaps the inaction is a product of his grief? Ok, I’ll grant that possibility. If that’s the case, I need a little more convincing. I am TOLD about everything that Alan does and feels, but there’s very little inflection or subtlety to SHOW me those things, to fill those feelings with life. 

Here’s another problem. Women in the story fall into two categories: Goddess and Rescuer. Alan thinks his wife — who he loses — is amazing. She is reified beyond compare, but what does she actually do? She seems to stay at home, being beautiful, not paying the bills, wishing they had children, and riding her horse. Why do I care about her? I don’t. All of the other women are just there, ready to rescue Alan from himself, even when he is a filthy, homeless stranger walking along the edge of the highway. Gah. People, are more complicated than that. 

This story should grip me with emotion. So where is it? Why, why, why does Alan choose to walk? Is he running away or running toward? Does he have any sense, even a fallible sense, of what is going to happen or what he might accomplish? How can I be inspired by a story that lacks depth and credibility? 

This book is the first in what will be a five-part series of Alan’s journals of his walk. The second, Miles to Go, was released earlier this month.