The Walk is the fifteenth novel written by Richard Paul Evans. It is the story of how grief affects Alan Christoffersen after his wife dies and his subsequent decision to walk from Seattle to Florida. Readers are able to relate to his sorrow which is followed by shock as he learns his business partner has betrayed him.
What is the Storyline of The Walk
In the first part of The Walk, Alan Christoffersen is happily married to his childhood sweetheart, McKale, and his advertising agency is flourishing. Then in the middle of pitching a campaign to a prospective client, his personal assistant, Falene interrupts the proceedings. His partner, Kyle, takes over the presentation as Alan learns that McKale has been thrown from her horse.
He rushes to the hospital only to discover that she cannot move her legs. It is the start of the painful process of accepting her paralysis. Unable to focus on anything else, he temporarily leaves his business in the hands of Kyle.
By the time McKale has been through rehabilitation and returns home, Alan has discovered that Kyle has walked away with most of his clients. His cars are repossessed and with medical bills of over a quarter million dollars he knows he is in trouble.
A few days later McKale feels unwell and it turns out that a urinary tract infection has spread to her blood stream. She dies shortly after and Alan is left alone.
With no income, no hope and the repossession of his home imminent, Alan leaves Falene to dispose of his business assets and sets off to walk from Seattle to Key West. His journey brings him across a variety of people, good and bad, who begin to change his understanding and give him hope for the future.
What is the Tone of The Walk
Richard Paul Evans introduces genuine emotion into The Walk and readers are able to feel the pain, confusion and hopelessness that assails Alan Christoffersen. In spite of this, the story is not sentimental but rather gritty and deep. Evans has an innate ability to portray characters and feelings that are real.
While The Walk begins with hopelessness, Alan Christoffersen begins to find new hope as he embarks on his journey. Characters such as a waitress and a lady on the roadside are able to reach him and touch his life by their concern and compassion.
The Walk is the first in a five-part series that promises to be a great success. Richard Paul Evans tells the story of Alan and McKale Christoffersen in a sensitive manner that attracts readers to the characters. McKale’s death is handled with a dose of reality and Alan’s journey sparks hope in the hearts of anyone who has lost a loved one.
The Walk, Richard Paul Evans, Simon & Schuster, 2010.
Debbie Roome - Debbie Roome is an award-winning freelance writer, journalist and novelist with over 25 years experience.
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