Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Call number
F KIRK
Publication
Waterbrook
Description
Nineteen-year-old Clara Estby is hauled by her mother, Helga, on a 7,000-mile walk from Spokane, Wash., to New York in 1896. The fashion industry is looking for promotion of the new, shorter dress for women; Helga is looking for a cash prize to save the family farm from foreclosure ... and Clara dreams of becoming a businesswoman.
User reviews
LibraryThing member lkernagh
Starting in 1896 at Mica Creek, Washington State, the story starts out with Norwegian American Helga Esterby accepting a published wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to will/earn the ten thousand dollars prize money
While the story starts out as a fictional travelogue of sorts following this historic trek, it soon delves into a personal journey for Clara as she learns a shocking truth while making the walk with her mother, with a lingering impact that leads Clara through a number of life altering decisions.
According to the author bio, Kirkpatrick is the author of more that 15 historical novels that are based on the lives of actual women. This story is no exception. Kirkpatrick has built this story based upon the extensive census, employment, deed and mortgages records, newspaper clippings and first person family descendant recollections. Where gaps in the facts existed, Kirkpatrick has allowed her imagination to step in and take over.
I loved Kirkpatrick's descriptions of the locations, politics, and moral sentiments of the time period, (1896 to 1942). As fascinated as I was by her detailed descriptions of the fur fashion industry and advancements in furriers/trapping/farming of the period, I found my appreciation for the story being dragged down by my lack of interest in the characters. Bogged down may be a better term. I just could not connect with the characters, except on a superficial level, mainly because I found the characters rather 'lacking' in substance considering they were supposed to be representative of strong women that chose to conduct business and engage in business ventures that were, for the time period, considered a man's purview.
Overall, a solid historical research piece with vivid descriptions for the time period that are, in my opinion, at times overshadowed and hindered by weak character development.
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offered to save the family farm. On this journey, she takes her eighteen year old daughter Clara. Helga's husband, Ole does not approve of this journey, and the older children that will be remaining on the farm to help their father take care of the farm and the family, are also skeptical. As part of the wager, Helga and Clara will wear and promote the new shorter, 'bicycle skirts' that promote the growing suffrage movement and women's rights. Understandably, young Clara has her own doubts about this journey.While the story starts out as a fictional travelogue of sorts following this historic trek, it soon delves into a personal journey for Clara as she learns a shocking truth while making the walk with her mother, with a lingering impact that leads Clara through a number of life altering decisions.
According to the author bio, Kirkpatrick is the author of more that 15 historical novels that are based on the lives of actual women. This story is no exception. Kirkpatrick has built this story based upon the extensive census, employment, deed and mortgages records, newspaper clippings and first person family descendant recollections. Where gaps in the facts existed, Kirkpatrick has allowed her imagination to step in and take over.
I loved Kirkpatrick's descriptions of the locations, politics, and moral sentiments of the time period, (1896 to 1942). As fascinated as I was by her detailed descriptions of the fur fashion industry and advancements in furriers/trapping/farming of the period, I found my appreciation for the story being dragged down by my lack of interest in the characters. Bogged down may be a better term. I just could not connect with the characters, except on a superficial level, mainly because I found the characters rather 'lacking' in substance considering they were supposed to be representative of strong women that chose to conduct business and engage in business ventures that were, for the time period, considered a man's purview.
Overall, a solid historical research piece with vivid descriptions for the time period that are, in my opinion, at times overshadowed and hindered by weak character development.
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LibraryThing member karieh
I started reading “The Daughter’s Walk” 5 months ago. The first 60 pages, for whatever reason, just turned SO slowly. I was not drawn into this amazing tale, even based as it is on fact, and despite the fact that I grew up in the area where this walk began.
So I put it aside…for a long
And then I was astonished by the fact that the walk ends…on page 94 of a 375 page book. Wasn’t this incredible journey the main focus of this story? Turns out no…and as I realized that while the mother’s walk across the United States represented the apex of her life, it was only the base of her daughter Clara’s life. Her journey started as the walk ended, the journey to understand her mother and herself. She would choose her path after the walk had ended, and those steps turned out to be some of the most difficult.
Clara goes back and forth so often as she tries to come to grips with the aftermath of the walk, the resulting circumstances of her family. At times, the resentment of her mother’s choice seems to be the prevailing force for her choices.
“If I could repeat my success each year, I’d have a nice little nest egg soon. I was doing what I’d set out to do, making my way with sound decisions that hurt no one else.”
At other times, “Maybe Mama knew the price I would have paid if I’d remained. I would have suffocated inside the silence, watching my tongue, not pursuing what I wanted. I had a freedom Ida never knew, never chose. My mother gave me a gift by sending me out, an expression of confidence that I could make it on my own.”
This daughter’s journey is so real, is neither easy nor impossible. She realizes through her mother that her life is her own…but that each choice has consequences. That decisions made, even those made responsibly and with the best of intentions, may result in a change completely unforeseen.
“Change is kind of like a prayer, isn’t it?” Louise mused as she refilled our cups with hot water. “We present it and have faith it’ll be received as intended, perhaps even better, trusting that one day it’ll be answered in a way we hope is fruitful.”
As much as I struggled with the beginning of the book, I was fascinated by the end. Author Jane Kirkpatrick lays out the details of the true story behind her novel…showing the reader what sources of information she used to flesh out the facts. The Author’s Notes were a story in and of themselves, and increased my enjoyment and appreciation of this author’s work dramatically. This tale she has woven from articles, interviews, intensive research…became one of fully formed and flawed people. A mother and daughter who struggle to find their way in the world, and in their relationship with one another.
And in the end, the daughter’s path leads her back to her mother. “I put aside the rightness or wrongness of what had happened those years before and just met my mother where she was.”
So I put it aside…for a long
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time…and finally picked it up again…and this time, I was hooked. There’s a shift where the story changes from the mother’s nearly obstinate determination to force her daughter to walk across the country with her to where the daughter finally starts to shape the events, finally takes steps of her own choosing.And then I was astonished by the fact that the walk ends…on page 94 of a 375 page book. Wasn’t this incredible journey the main focus of this story? Turns out no…and as I realized that while the mother’s walk across the United States represented the apex of her life, it was only the base of her daughter Clara’s life. Her journey started as the walk ended, the journey to understand her mother and herself. She would choose her path after the walk had ended, and those steps turned out to be some of the most difficult.
Clara goes back and forth so often as she tries to come to grips with the aftermath of the walk, the resulting circumstances of her family. At times, the resentment of her mother’s choice seems to be the prevailing force for her choices.
“If I could repeat my success each year, I’d have a nice little nest egg soon. I was doing what I’d set out to do, making my way with sound decisions that hurt no one else.”
At other times, “Maybe Mama knew the price I would have paid if I’d remained. I would have suffocated inside the silence, watching my tongue, not pursuing what I wanted. I had a freedom Ida never knew, never chose. My mother gave me a gift by sending me out, an expression of confidence that I could make it on my own.”
This daughter’s journey is so real, is neither easy nor impossible. She realizes through her mother that her life is her own…but that each choice has consequences. That decisions made, even those made responsibly and with the best of intentions, may result in a change completely unforeseen.
“Change is kind of like a prayer, isn’t it?” Louise mused as she refilled our cups with hot water. “We present it and have faith it’ll be received as intended, perhaps even better, trusting that one day it’ll be answered in a way we hope is fruitful.”
As much as I struggled with the beginning of the book, I was fascinated by the end. Author Jane Kirkpatrick lays out the details of the true story behind her novel…showing the reader what sources of information she used to flesh out the facts. The Author’s Notes were a story in and of themselves, and increased my enjoyment and appreciation of this author’s work dramatically. This tale she has woven from articles, interviews, intensive research…became one of fully formed and flawed people. A mother and daughter who struggle to find their way in the world, and in their relationship with one another.
And in the end, the daughter’s path leads her back to her mother. “I put aside the rightness or wrongness of what had happened those years before and just met my mother where she was.”
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LibraryThing member iluvf14
When I selected this book, I didn't realize that portions of it were historically accurate--that the walk actually took place. For that era, it was unheard of for a wife to disobey her husband, leave her children, and independently take charge of herself. I'm in awe of what Helga Estby and her
Clara initially refuses to accompany her mother on the trip, however she acquiesces realizing her mother will go alone if necessary. Once the journey begins, mother and daughter begin a new book in their relationship. Clara learns much about her mother that didn't know before and begins to respect this new woman in her life. It always touches my heart when a parent and child begin to really "know" each other even though they have lived together day in and day out. This relational shift is a gift to both and to future descendants--think of the stories that can be passed down!
Unfortunately for Helga, her life was irreparably altered after the walk. From the way her family treats her to the way others perceive her. For Clara, her life is also transformed but in a different way (I don't want to give it away!!). Would they have done the walk knowing their future outcome? Would they have done anything differently?
This is the first book I've read by Jane Kirkpatrick and I have to say I am very impressed with her writing style, the way she develops the characters and how they actually become family to the reader. Her descriptions of surroundings and circumstances is also well done. Ms. Kirkpatrick has surely done her research of the walk and it shows. I know I will be looking for other books written by her. The Daughter's Walk has earned a 5-star rating from this reader--thank you Ms. Kirkpatrick and Waterbrook Press!
This Book was provided by Waterbrook Press through the "Blogging for Books" program in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed were my own.
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daughter, Clara, accomplished.Clara initially refuses to accompany her mother on the trip, however she acquiesces realizing her mother will go alone if necessary. Once the journey begins, mother and daughter begin a new book in their relationship. Clara learns much about her mother that didn't know before and begins to respect this new woman in her life. It always touches my heart when a parent and child begin to really "know" each other even though they have lived together day in and day out. This relational shift is a gift to both and to future descendants--think of the stories that can be passed down!
Unfortunately for Helga, her life was irreparably altered after the walk. From the way her family treats her to the way others perceive her. For Clara, her life is also transformed but in a different way (I don't want to give it away!!). Would they have done the walk knowing their future outcome? Would they have done anything differently?
This is the first book I've read by Jane Kirkpatrick and I have to say I am very impressed with her writing style, the way she develops the characters and how they actually become family to the reader. Her descriptions of surroundings and circumstances is also well done. Ms. Kirkpatrick has surely done her research of the walk and it shows. I know I will be looking for other books written by her. The Daughter's Walk has earned a 5-star rating from this reader--thank you Ms. Kirkpatrick and Waterbrook Press!
This Book was provided by Waterbrook Press through the "Blogging for Books" program in exchange for an unbiased review. The opinions expressed were my own.
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LibraryThing member Coranne
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I expected more of the book to be about Clara and Helga's walk to New York, but that seemed to only be about the first third of the book (meaning on the first third involved Clara, Helga, and their family). The rest of the book spans Clara's remaining life and
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talking about her journey beyond her family.I thought that the characters in this book were well developed and the plot was paced well. I felt very sorry for Clara- she never seemed to have any good happen to her. This is definitely not a book to read if you are looking for a light and fluffy book. The author deals with Clara's family problems in an honest and refreshing way. It was downright painful for some pages of the book.Read this book- you will absolutely enjoy it. Show Less
LibraryThing member reciperhon
I can't imagine being told by my mother that we are going to walk across country for 7 months. That sounds wretched! Those poor women went through so many different problems and experiences that I was rather proud of them when they accomplished the journey to New York even if it didn't go as
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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planned. I appreciated this story even more knowing it was based on a true story. The heroine, Clara, had to have been one tough cookie to have lived her entire life the way that she did. I think this story shows how being strong willed isn't necessarily a bad thing when used for good. I wish I could have met her. I strongly recommend this book.I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.
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LibraryThing member mojomomma
To save the family farm, a woman accepts a wager to walk from Spokane, WA to New Yoek City in7 months with her teenage daughter to advance the women's suffrage movement. they do complete the walk, but arrive 10 days later than promised, so the sponsors renege on the $10000 prize. Meanwhile
Life-changing walk and how Clara, the daughter, learns to live her life in a vastly different way than she ever imagined.
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diphtheria is affecting the children left behind back on the farm. the rest of the story details tha family dynamics in the wake of the Life-changing walk and how Clara, the daughter, learns to live her life in a vastly different way than she ever imagined.
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LibraryThing member realpageturners
The Daughter’s Walk: A Novel is based on the true story of Helga Etsby who accepted a challenge to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City for $10,000 dollars. Helga accepted this challenge to save the family farm and she took her 18 year old daughter, Clara, on the walk with her. The
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agreement required the two Etsby women to wear and promote the new reform dress for the fashion industry and to arrive at their destination within 7 months. The author Jane Kirkpatrick writes from Clara’s perspective and continues her story after the 3,500 mile walk ends. The author weaves factual history of the Etsby family and fiction to continue the story of Clara. The facts of this novel were well researched and the author relied on descendants of Helga and Clara to fill in the gaps where the historical accounts of the Etsby’s walk left off. The Daughter’s Walk is an excellent novel. It is a story of strength and courage against all odds and the ability to accomplish great things regardless of tremendous odds. Show Less
LibraryThing member MaryEvelynLS
I finished this book with a sense of satisfaction and a deeper understanding of what women had to endure and suffer in the late 1800's, early 1900's. The Daughter's Walk was fascinating and I was absolutely stunned to learn of the journey that mother and daughter took. The story that continued
The Daughter's Walk is based on the true story and 3,500-mile historical walk of Helga Estby and her eighteen year old daughter, Clara, that began in May of 1896. The fashion industry offered a wager to Helga Estby to walk from Spokane, Washington, to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn ten thousand dollars and save the family farm that was in foreclosure. The women were asked to wear the new reform dresses, to show that women were strong and just as sturdy as men and could accomplish this in such attire. Their expected arrival was to be December 13th, with exceptions and extensions for illnesses. Along the way, the women could accept food and lodging but not ask or beg for it. There were many supporters along the way but there were those that scoffed at the women's dresses and considered them vulgar and obscene for their fashion notion and traveling unescorted. Helga Estby was a supporter of women suffragettes and never believed that the journey could be unsuccessful. After a year away from home, mother and daughter return home to heartbreaking and tragic circumstances that will devastate relations and split a family apart. Clara chooses to walk away from her family and must find her own way in the world. It is a story of strength, utter sadness, unlikely friendships, and a woman's ability to succeed against all odds and provide for herself. Yet, Clara proves to be a woman that cannot succeed without the strength and support of a family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will be a story that I will always remember. A story of incredible will and courage. The Daughter's Walk changed lives of mother and daughter forever.
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after the infamous walk is the author's view on what may have happened to Clara, the daughter, after they returned to Washington. Jane Kirkpatrick did extensive research that led her to tell the story as she did. Kirkpatrick was assisted in her research by members of the Estby family and various documents and city records. I am inclined to believe that Kirkpatrick must have gotten some of it right. If not, it still made for an exceptional story. Well done.The Daughter's Walk is based on the true story and 3,500-mile historical walk of Helga Estby and her eighteen year old daughter, Clara, that began in May of 1896. The fashion industry offered a wager to Helga Estby to walk from Spokane, Washington, to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn ten thousand dollars and save the family farm that was in foreclosure. The women were asked to wear the new reform dresses, to show that women were strong and just as sturdy as men and could accomplish this in such attire. Their expected arrival was to be December 13th, with exceptions and extensions for illnesses. Along the way, the women could accept food and lodging but not ask or beg for it. There were many supporters along the way but there were those that scoffed at the women's dresses and considered them vulgar and obscene for their fashion notion and traveling unescorted. Helga Estby was a supporter of women suffragettes and never believed that the journey could be unsuccessful. After a year away from home, mother and daughter return home to heartbreaking and tragic circumstances that will devastate relations and split a family apart. Clara chooses to walk away from her family and must find her own way in the world. It is a story of strength, utter sadness, unlikely friendships, and a woman's ability to succeed against all odds and provide for herself. Yet, Clara proves to be a woman that cannot succeed without the strength and support of a family.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it will be a story that I will always remember. A story of incredible will and courage. The Daughter's Walk changed lives of mother and daughter forever.
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LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
In 1896 the fashions were changing and in order to promote the new, shorter “walking dress” for woman manufacturers offered a $1000 prize to any woman willing to walk to New York City. In an effort to save their farm from foreclosure Helga Estby hauls her daughter Clara out of bed one morning
Although this book did not quite follow the path I was expecting (pun totally intended), I did enjoy the read. Historical fact mixed with a good story is always interesting. Well done by Ms. Kirkpatrick.
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and tells her they are going to walk from Spokane Washington to New York City. The walk itself is historical fact, but the rest of the story takes us on Clara’s personal journey, all starting with that walk with her mother.Although this book did not quite follow the path I was expecting (pun totally intended), I did enjoy the read. Historical fact mixed with a good story is always interesting. Well done by Ms. Kirkpatrick.
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LibraryThing member BookAngel_a
This historical fiction novel is based on the life of Clara Estby. When she was nineteen, her mother brought her along on a 3,500 mile walk from Spokane Washington to New York City. If they made it by their deadline, they would receive $10,000 to save their family farm from foreclosure. However,
Those are the facts according to history, but Kirkpatrick wanted to know more. What happened on that walk? Why did Clara leave and change her name? What did she do during her years of exile, and how did she come back to the family?
This novel is a fast, interesting read that explores what might have happened. Clara lived during the time when women were struggling to gain the right to vote. Women who stood up for female rights and independence faced opposition from nearly everyone. The book helps women today imagine what it might have been like. There's a lot of sadness here, but also hope, and lessons about forgiveness and family.
Recommended if you are interested in the history of women's rights, or if you love historical fiction.
(I received this book from Amazon's Vine program.)
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after the walk, Clara left her family and changed her name. Those are the facts according to history, but Kirkpatrick wanted to know more. What happened on that walk? Why did Clara leave and change her name? What did she do during her years of exile, and how did she come back to the family?
This novel is a fast, interesting read that explores what might have happened. Clara lived during the time when women were struggling to gain the right to vote. Women who stood up for female rights and independence faced opposition from nearly everyone. The book helps women today imagine what it might have been like. There's a lot of sadness here, but also hope, and lessons about forgiveness and family.
Recommended if you are interested in the history of women's rights, or if you love historical fiction.
(I received this book from Amazon's Vine program.)
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LibraryThing member clue
This book is a novel based on the life of Helga Etsby who accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City in seven months. She and her eighteen-year-old daughter Clara began the walk on May 5, 1896. If they completed the distance by the deadline they
The first half of the book is about the walk, the relationship of mother and daughter during the perilous journey and the adversities they experienced from nature and mankind. Tragedy struck the family during the pair's absence and the results were blamed on Helga. The second half of the book is primarily about Clara's life, including her relationship with her family after they returned home. Because she supported and agreed with her mother's suffragist and women's rights philosophy, she became estranged from the family for twenty years.
Research for the book depended primarily on Helga's scrapbook secretly preserved by her daughter-in-law. The social history of American women during this time is made clear by Kirkpatrick. My only complaint is that the characters would have been more interesting had they had more depth.
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would receive $10,000. Helga needed the money to save the family farm from foreclosure.The first half of the book is about the walk, the relationship of mother and daughter during the perilous journey and the adversities they experienced from nature and mankind. Tragedy struck the family during the pair's absence and the results were blamed on Helga. The second half of the book is primarily about Clara's life, including her relationship with her family after they returned home. Because she supported and agreed with her mother's suffragist and women's rights philosophy, she became estranged from the family for twenty years.
Research for the book depended primarily on Helga's scrapbook secretly preserved by her daughter-in-law. The social history of American women during this time is made clear by Kirkpatrick. My only complaint is that the characters would have been more interesting had they had more depth.
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LibraryThing member untitled841
Quite a journey.
LibraryThing member Carolee888
This is the first book that I have ever read by Jane Kirkpatrick. I put off doing this review until now because I did not want to say good bye to this! I have connected with this story so many times while reading it and it made me think of my paternal grandmother growing up in New York, reading
Helga Etsby made me think of my grandmother. Helga and and her daughter Clara went on a long journey from Spokane, Washington to New York City by walking. I cannot imagine to doing that today myself! We have the tale of the walk pieced together by research and descendants and where gaping holes in the story, Jane Kirkpatrick and others put together after a lot of research that keyhole into the story. The walk takes you back to 1896 and through the paths that they followed.
Clara made me think of my Aunt Martha and made me aware of how much I did not know about her. Like Clara, my Aunt Martha bought up farmlands and houses for rentals. When reading of Clara, I kept thinking of my Aunt Martha! Now I am encouraged to gather more information about their lives and make stories for my own grandchildren.
There is a huge amount of family turmoil but the longer you live in a family the more you recognize
separation and partings are in families joy and celebration.
I highly recommend this book, now one of my all time favorites to anyone interested in family history, genealogy or lore. I bought this book in recommendation of my friends in 2011 and put on the shelf. I am so glad that I took it off the shelf and read it.
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Godey 's Lady Magazines, tatting, hooking rugs and painting flowers, creating different kinds of needle lace. Now I have so many questions about her.Helga Etsby made me think of my grandmother. Helga and and her daughter Clara went on a long journey from Spokane, Washington to New York City by walking. I cannot imagine to doing that today myself! We have the tale of the walk pieced together by research and descendants and where gaping holes in the story, Jane Kirkpatrick and others put together after a lot of research that keyhole into the story. The walk takes you back to 1896 and through the paths that they followed.
Clara made me think of my Aunt Martha and made me aware of how much I did not know about her. Like Clara, my Aunt Martha bought up farmlands and houses for rentals. When reading of Clara, I kept thinking of my Aunt Martha! Now I am encouraged to gather more information about their lives and make stories for my own grandchildren.
There is a huge amount of family turmoil but the longer you live in a family the more you recognize
separation and partings are in families joy and celebration.
I highly recommend this book, now one of my all time favorites to anyone interested in family history, genealogy or lore. I bought this book in recommendation of my friends in 2011 and put on the shelf. I am so glad that I took it off the shelf and read it.
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Awards
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2012)
ISBN
1400074290 / 9781400074297