Book Review: The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick

Publisher: Waterbrook Press
Publication Date: April 5, 2011

Hoping to save their struggling farm, Clara Etsby and her mother, Helga, agree to walk across the country in the hopes of receiving a $10,000 prize to prevent foreclosure. What follows is an incredible journey with life-changing adventures, a journey that is based on historical fact. However, Clara and Helga meet with unforeseen circumstances, and their return to the farm reveals that tragedy has struck while they were away. A family disagreement results in Clara leaving the family home and embarking on her own, encountering success and hardship on her way.

Jane Kirkpatrick has written a beautiful tale of faith, family, and friendship. The historical detail woven into her novel is fascinating, depicting a journey I had never before heard of, the walk across an entire country by a mother and her daughter. Clara's journey that follows this event is also expertly told, and the author succeeds in bringing Clara's character to life in a compelling manner. Readers will celebrate with her, hurt along with her, and be swept up in her realization of the importance of family and forgiveness. Although her relationship with God isn't spelled out as clearly as it could be, God's truth shines through the pages of this story and in the priceless value of reconciliation.

I greatly enjoyed this well-written historical novel, and give it 4 1/2 stars out of 5. Highly recommended.