The Daughter's Walk

Jun 01, 2012 Teresa Lukey rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: girls 13-25

Shelves: fiction, didn-t-see-that-coming, great-teen-read, i-learned-something

Jane Kirkpatrick's historical fiction novel, The Daughter's Walk, appealed to me because the thought of walking from Spokane, WA to New York sounds damn near impossible. I believe the author must have gotten her inspiration for this book from Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America, which does its best to document the true story Helga Estby and her daughter Clara's 3500 mile trek across the US with little more than pepper spray, a revolver and $5 in the year 1896.

Helg...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Michelle rated it 1 of 5 stars

Do yourself a favor and read, "Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America" by Linda Lawrence Hunt before even thinking about reading this book. I hate to admit that I only got 10 pages into this book before I became so disgusted with the author that I have no intentions of ever reading anything else by her again. Extreme much? Why yes..yes I am. First of all the book reads like it took place in 1996, not 1896. The wording sounds like the same dialog that takes place betwe...more

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Dec 18, 2012 Louise rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-non-fiction

Story Description:

Doubelday|April 5, 2011|Trade Paperback|ISBN: 978-1-4000-7429-7

A mother’s tragedy, a daughter’s desire and the 3,500 mile journey that changed their lives.

In 1896 a Norwegian-American, Helga Estby, accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000. Bringing along her nineteen-year-old daughter, Clara, the two made their way on the 3,500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks and mot...more

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Nov 25, 2012 Shonna Froebel rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is a book that appealed to me as soon as I saw it. Based on a true story, this novel takes the facts that exist about this young woman and weaves a story around them.
In the late 1890s, Helga Etsby and her daughter Clara agreed to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City. This was a story that was hushed up by Helga's family, and I became interested after reading a book about that walk called Bold Spirit. The book tells a shorter story of the walk from the daughter, Clara's, point of v...more

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Nov 02, 2012 Joyce rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick is a work of fiction based on an actual historical event Helga Estby and her 18 year old daughter Clara walked from Spokane, Washington to New York City in 1896. Helga makes the walk to earn a promised $10,000 if she arrives in New York City by a certain date and insists that her oldest daughter to accompany her, although Clara wants no part of the venture. The purpose of doing the walk was to save their farm from foreclosure. The novel tells some of the a...more The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick is a work of fiction based on an actual historical event Helga Estby and her 18 year old daughter Clara walked from Spokane, Washington to New York City in 1896. Helga makes the walk to earn a promised $10,000 if she arrives in New York City by a certain date and insists that her oldest daughter to accompany her, although Clara wants no part of the venture. The purpose of doing the walk was to save their farm from foreclosure. The novel tells some of the adventures they faced on their walk including Clara becoming ill and later injuring her ankle which causes them to miss their deadline in New York City. They are forced to work to earn a way back to New York City when the sponsors of the trip refuse to award them the $10,000. Fortunately, a railroad magnate eventually provides a train ride for all but 400 miles of the journey home. They return home to terrible tragedy finding out that not only one of Helga's other daughters has died of illness but also a son. Helga's family members, including her husband, who stayed behind bitterly resent Helga year long absence and forbid her to ever talk about the walk again. Clara refuses to accept that condition of staying home and goes to Spokane to find work. She ends up finding employment with 2 ladies who were sponsors of the ill fated walk. At that point, Clara's life becomes entwined with those of Olea and Louise and they become her 'family.' They give Clara part of the promised award money and she takes it to her familly to save their farm. However, when her stepfather and bitter sister find out where the money has come from, they refuse to accept it and give Clara an ultimatum of turning her back on the 2 women who have helped her and returning home or being forced to leave and not be allowed to return. The rest of the novel gives the account of Clara's life as she continues to make a life for herself as an independent businesswoman getting involved in the fur industry, farming, and real estate. She suffers great financial losses and continues to struggle with her family's rejection. She continues her close association and living with the 2 older women much of the rest of her life.
She eventually reconciles with her family many years later after another brother's death. All in all, it is a book filled with interesting events and characters and much tragedy. The first part of the book describing the walk and its results was the most interesting part of the book and it just didn't seem to keep the same level of interest after that. Although I admired Clara's spirit in many ways, it seemed that she hurt herself so many times emotionally by the choices she made. For those interested in reading about memorable and strong women, this is a good book to read. (less)

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May 30, 2012 Rachel Crooks rated it 3 of 5 stars

Kirkpatrick unearths some of the most amazing untold stories from the foundations of American history, and this is one of them. Clara, the "daughter" of the title, begins the story angry with her mother for her impulsive decision to walk across the continent for a dubious prize of $10,000, taking Clara along. As the journey progresses, Clara comes to understand her mother's intentions, but the journey creates alienation and estrangement within their family as a whole.

Clara returns from the jou...more Kirkpatrick unearths some of the most amazing untold stories from the foundations of American history, and this is one of them. Clara, the "daughter" of the title, begins the story angry with her mother for her impulsive decision to walk across the continent for a dubious prize of $10,000, taking Clara along. As the journey progresses, Clara comes to understand her mother's intentions, but the journey creates alienation and estrangement within their family as a whole.

Clara returns from the journey and finds that her family will not forgive her or her mother unless they never speak of their trek again. The mother agrees to stay silent and humbled, but Clara refuses and goes forward to make her own way.

For the greater part of the book, Clara becomes a savvy business women, and her life increasingly revolves around business and risk. Near the end, she feels that something is missing, and recognizes that, after 20 years, she must make peace with her family.

Because the story was true to life, it lacked the even, familiar contours of a fictional plot. Cause didn't always lead to effect in the inevitable way that a fictional story does. The inner dreams, potentials, and yearnings of the young Clara were not fully realized in her later life - in fact, her life seemed rather empty through most of the book.

Kirkpatrick's A Gathering of Finches is written in much the same way - true to the real events of life. I can't decide why such a narrative style appealed to me in that book and not in The Daughter's Walk. Maybe because the lesson Clara learned from her life was not fully developed, and seemed to come too late. It is a story about forgiveness, and yet Clara's family also harbors deep resentment which they never seem fully able to let go of. The final result of Clara's return to her family is cheapened smewhat by the lack of a full reconciliation on their part. It seems more like, "well, I guess you're back now, and I might as well serve you some coffee."

The fact is, that most of our lives do not proceed by tidy exercises in cause and effect. Some reconciliations do come too late, or are half-hearted. Many lives are not lived to the full. Many of us do not achieve those mountaintop moments of glory which shed light on the themes and morals of our own stories. Why, then, did I so badly want this novel to show me something that I do not see in real life?
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May 27, 2012 Sherri Johnson rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick is the story of Clara Estby, nineteen-years-old, and her mother, Helga. They set off on an adventure from Spokane, Washington, to New York in 1896. The problem with this adventure is they are on foot and it is an adventure that Clara did not ask to go on. Their family farm is in danger of being lost after the father has been injured, and Helga takes on a risky challenge in order to save it. Clara is at a point in her life where she enjoys her job and has a...more The Daughter’s Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick is the story of Clara Estby, nineteen-years-old, and her mother, Helga. They set off on an adventure from Spokane, Washington, to New York in 1896. The problem with this adventure is they are on foot and it is an adventure that Clara did not ask to go on. Their family farm is in danger of being lost after the father has been injured, and Helga takes on a risky challenge in order to save it. Clara is at a point in her life where she enjoys her job and has a gentleman she’s interested in. The last thing she wants to do is leave home for a journey that could take six months or more. A dangerous journey, at that. A journey that involves leaving the father at home with the other children, one of them a baby.

Why is this journey something that could save their home? This is during the women’s suffrage movement days and the fashion industry has developed a dress which is shorter than the traditional dresses and they claim it will make life easier for women. If they make the journey by walking from Spokane to New York in these dresses, stopping along the way to get signatures of prominent leaders, they have a chance at winning $10,000.00. Of course, shorter dresses were quite the scandal then and so Helga puts Clara in potential danger just by being a representative of the manufacturer. Clara, additionally, is humiliated each time her mother shares their financial struggles with others. Helga seems to have the family’s best interest at heart but you also get the feeling that she loves being away from her responsibilities at home. She loves the attention.

This walk is historically accurate and is only the basis for the book. There is so much more. Clara must deal with her feelings of inferiority that her mother causes and she must face secrets that shake her foundation. She must learn to stand on her own two feet. Sometimes it’s hard to break away from what you’ve always felt was true about yourself. Clara makes a break from her family, becomes a businesswoman and eventually finds her way in the world. She makes friends with people who teach her wonderful things like faith and love—things she needed to know.

This was my first experience with the author and I liked her style of writing. It was easy. I found my eyes gliding along the pages. She didn’t drag the scenes out too long and I didn’t find myself saying, “Get on with it,” like I do in so many books. The book addresses the issue of equality and it deals with family situations like so many in our world today—less than perfect.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Daughters-W...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoxjLe...

I received this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review. http://www.waterbrookmultnomah.com/bl...

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May 07, 2012 Sherrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-novels-women, historical-fiction

Jane Kirkpatrick never disappoints. Once again, in The Daughter’s Walk, she has brought to the page the story of strong women during a time in our country’s history that found many families struggling to maintain their family’s income and home and women struggling to find their place in society, the work force and politics.

Helga Estby and her daughter, Clara, and their historical attempt to walk the breadth of our country was undertaken in an effort to save the family’s farm in Washington state...more

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May 01, 2012 Kathleen Basi rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Daughter's Walk is a fictionalized account of a real historical event. Clara Estby and her mother walk from coast to coast in the last decade of the 19th century to forward women's suffrage. Afterward, the family (led by her stepfather) refused to let the women discuss their achievement. Clara was estranged from her family for two decades. The book follows Clara in those years, filling in the gaps in the historical record with what might have happened to cause it.

It's an interesting journey,...more

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Apr 05, 2012 Wanda rated it 3 of 5 stars

Based on true events, this novel tells the story of the famous 3,500 mile walk made by Norwegian Helga Etsby and her daughter Clara in 1896, when they followed the railroad from Washington to New York. The story continues on from there to tell how the walk affected their lives and how Clara lived the next twenty years estranged from the family she tried so hard to help. While the walk is a real historical event, the author has used research and speculation to fictionalize an event and create a t...more

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Dec 21, 2011 Dianna rated it 2 of 5 stars

In 1896 Helga Estby decides to commence on a journey from Spokane,Washington, to New York City with her eldest daughter Clara.If they make it to New York City in seven months by ONLY walking they receive $10,000 so that they can save their farm. Unfortunately Clara and her mother don’t reach their destination within the time limit, so they receive absolutely nothing. They return to their home about a year later, empty-handed. Later on Clara decides to leave her family (for good reason) and chang...more

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Sep 28, 2011 Reading Teen rated it 2 of 5 stars

The beginning of this book was very interesting especially because it was based on historical fact. Clara and her mother walked 3500 miles from Spokane, Washington to New York City by themselves. They carried everything they took with them. They faced harsh weather, threats to their safety, illness, and rough terrain. They did it all for $10,000 with which they planned to save the family farm from foreclosure. When they arrived 10 days later than their due date, they were told that they wouldn't...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Holly Renee rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction-historical

In 1896, Helga Estby and her daughter Clara, journey on foot from Spokane, Washington to New York City in a desperate attempt to save their family farm. Much to the dissatisfaction of their community, they leave their family behind to make the six month trek across the county. During the time spent on their walk, Helga reveals a deep secret that alters her perception of her family. Upon their return to Spokane, several years later, Clara continues to walk. . .but this time away from her family....more In 1896, Helga Estby and her daughter Clara, journey on foot from Spokane, Washington to New York City in a desperate attempt to save their family farm. Much to the dissatisfaction of their community, they leave their family behind to make the six month trek across the county. During the time spent on their walk, Helga reveals a deep secret that alters her perception of her family. Upon their return to Spokane, several years later, Clara continues to walk. . .but this time away from her family. She relocates and changes her name, leaving a rift between her and the ones she loves the most. Based off a true story, Jane Kirkpatrick explores Clara's life that follows the great walk of 1896.

I'm not sure how to sum up my experience with this book, except to say that this story is like none I've ever read. It gripped me and fascinated me in a way that no other work of fiction has ever done. The tone of this novel differed from other novels, but that didn't deter me.

Mrs. Kirkpatrick is a master at bringing real-life figures into pages of fiction. Since this book is written in first-person, and because Mrs. Kirkpatrick does such an outstanding job with these characters, I constantly I had to remind myself that I was reading a piece of fiction and not Clara's actual biography.

This book is not your typical work of fiction. I found the pace a little slow, yet every second equally compelling. I'm not sure how the author accomplished that, but somehow, for this novel, it truly works.

The Daughter's Walk tore at my emotions and touched me deeply. This is a fascinating fictional account about a young woman who forges on in a time when women were undervalued and fighting for their rights.

I highly recommend this story. Readers who enjoy Nancy Moser's fictional accounts of real-life figures will devour The Daughter's Walk. Anyone who reads this story will come away with a new perspective on forgiveness and family.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Waterbrook/Multnomah in exchange for an honest review.
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Jul 09, 2011 Librarianforhim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian-reading, family-relationships, father-daughter-relationships, husband-wife-relationship, mother-daughter-relationships, read-in-2011, united-states-history, young-adult

Helga Estby and her daughter Clara set out on a walk from Spokane to New York in acceptance of a wager from the fashion industry. They have seven months, but lost due to circumstances beyond their control. Following this, Clara has a falling out with the family and embarks on life on her own, being estranged from her family for more than twenty years.

The author brings Clara's story to life through the people and events that she encounters. It seemed like all the action took place in the first fe...more

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Jun 22, 2011 Whitney rated it 4 of 5 stars

I love the genre of historical fiction and Jane Kirkpatrick is the master of it. She has an amazing ability to write about strong women in our past. This installment of Ms. Kirkpatrick’s repertoire is about a mother and daughter that set out on an almost impossible feat. The year is 1896 and Helga Estby has accepted a wager to walk across the country in order to promote the women’s suffrage movement. The fashion industry has put up a $10,000.00 prize if the trip can be made in less than 7 months...more

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Jun 20, 2011 Sheila rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: christian, cultural, current_issues, historical, relationships, spiritual

Jane Kirkpatrick’s novels are generally based in fact, and The Daughter’s Walk is no exception. The story starts in 1896 when a Norwegian American mother walks from Spokane Washington to New York City, trying to complete the journey in seven months to fulfill a wager and save the family farm. Her teenaged daughter Clara reluctantly walks with her, taking a journey into her own past as the promised future recedes.

The journey across America is beautifully told, whole towns and scenes coming to lif...more Jane Kirkpatrick’s novels are generally based in fact, and The Daughter’s Walk is no exception. The story starts in 1896 when a Norwegian American mother walks from Spokane Washington to New York City, trying to complete the journey in seven months to fulfill a wager and save the family farm. Her teenaged daughter Clara reluctantly walks with her, taking a journey into her own past as the promised future recedes.

The journey across America is beautifully told, whole towns and scenes coming to life, and a wonderful railway bridge becoming a symbol for conquering the unknown. Fear of heights holds the daughter back. Loyalty, maybe love, maybe determination pulls her on. But in the end it’s a balance—what she wants and what her mother wants; what she needs and what her family needs; what she hopes and what society determines is her right.

Clara learns to take external risks, but that personal risk of devoted relationship comes hard. When the journey’s complete she can’t quite balance whether her family’s rejected her, or she’s rejected them. Whichever is true, it’s wounded her.

The history of the time is beautifully woven into this tale of women gaining their rights and independence. And a story of all times is woven into the fractured family. Forgiveness isn’t easy. Exile isn’t sure. And sometimes the hardest step to reconciliation is the one that’s easiest to take.

Jane Kirkpatrick’s novel builds on solid historical research, family stories and relics, and a deep understanding of human nature. It’s a beautiful tale of determination, plans derailed, and the journey to forgiveness. There’s much to ponder, and there’s much to imagine with awe. Life has changed in the hundred years that have passed, but people are still the same; our fractured relationships might all hide well-plotted tales if we change our point of view.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from the publishers in exchange for an honest review. Since Jane Kirkpatrick is one of my favorite authors, I considered myself very fortunate.(less)

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May 27, 2011 Ibjoy1953 rated it 4 of 5 stars

The first part of this book is about a mother and daughters walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City to raise enough money to save their farm from going into foreclosure. None of the family wanted them to go, even begged them not to go. Even Clara didn’t want to go, but her mom was determined. So they started their journey cross country and their many good times as well as trials as they continued to travel.

In the second half of the book, the writer takes Clara out on her own, first workin...more The first part of this book is about a mother and daughters walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City to raise enough money to save their farm from going into foreclosure. None of the family wanted them to go, even begged them not to go. Even Clara didn’t want to go, but her mom was determined. So they started their journey cross country and their many good times as well as trials as they continued to travel.

In the second half of the book, the writer takes Clara out on her own, first working for a couple of wealthy ladies, and later starting into a business venture of her own. Where Clare wasn’t exactly into the feminist movements like her mom, and didn’t mention a lot about it, she did follow her mom’s interest by having her own business.

This being based on the author’s historical family events makes the story more interesting. I can’t imagine two ladies taking on this task alone, with their only dependence on people along their journey. That in itself would have had a huge impact on history. And the ups and downs of mother and daughter on the trail helped them get to know each other better, even as far as past secrets coming to surface. As the story unfolds, it is unbelievable what happens while on this journey. Not wanting to give anything away, that is all I will say about it.

As for the Christian aspects of this book, there were kind of formal mentions of God, or maybe a scripture or so, or talking about going to church, but that was all. I was disappointed in this since it is listed as a Christian fiction, and it would have been a perfect opportunity to relate the characters with the Lord. But then maybe that is not what happened in the true reality of the story, and the author not wanting to add it in. I am glad I read the story; I wasn’t sure about it when I signed up to read and review it. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Fiction.

I received this book free from Waterbrook Multnomah blogging for books program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 55.(less)

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May 25, 2011 Susan rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: amazon-vine-book

The story of Helga and Clara Estby's walk across the country is familiar to me. I heard a lecture about the Iowa leg of the trip by a local historian. In 1986 Helga pressured her eldest daughter into making the walk with her for her own reasons. Clara did not want to go, but in the end she saw the walk as a turning point in her life. Getting to know her mother on a more adult level helped her to grow into an adult herself. Linda Hunt told the story in her book Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotte...more The story of Helga and Clara Estby's walk across the country is familiar to me. I heard a lecture about the Iowa leg of the trip by a local historian. In 1986 Helga pressured her eldest daughter into making the walk with her for her own reasons. Clara did not want to go, but in the end she saw the walk as a turning point in her life. Getting to know her mother on a more adult level helped her to grow into an adult herself. Linda Hunt told the story in her book Bold Spirit: Helga Estby's Forgotten Walk Across Victorian America. She used a scrapbook from a descendant of Helga's and news clippings she found from papers documenting the trip along the way.

Kirkpatrick retells the story of the walk embellishing it with some fiction to make an interesting story. Then after telling the story of how mother and daughter returned from New York, Kirkpatrick takes the story and follows Clara through the rest of her life. She adds some characters both actual and fictional and creates details that may or may not have happened. After the walk, Clara became estranged from her family and was forbidden to discuss the walk with anyone in her immediate family. Through good fortune she was able to join forces with two independent women and they became like family to her. Through out her life she had ambitions to own property and have a business all her own. These ideas and goals had their ups and downs and in the end she was left in fairly bad straits. Her attempts to reunite with her family met many obstacles until the bitter end. But finally she was able to understand exactly what made up a family for her. This helped her to appreciate the people she was with and also understand how to reunite with her family or origin.

I gained much more respect for the fiction part of the book when I read the author's notes at the end. She actually researched the story extensively, using Hunt's book and many public records as well as interviews with Helga's descendants. She worked from facts and created fiction to fill in the blanks.

The novel moves slowly and deliberately as one does when walking over rough terrain. At times I thought it dragged a bit. I wanted to hurry through this book to get to the end, and even tried to skip sections. Yet, Kirkpatrick would not let me do this, as she slipped important parts of the story into unlikely places. I made it to the end and was glad I did, as many answers fell into place. At the very end, Kirkpatrick, herself, seemed to want to wrap up the loose ends quickly, seemingly satisfied that she had covered enough of the story to make it complete.

I enjoyed her descriptions and character developments. The story includes facts about actual people and events that were important in history. Overall I found this to be a good historical novel and I am glad I read it. (less)

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May 24, 2011 Cafelilybookreviews rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

If you are familiar with Jane Kirkpatrick’s books, then you know that she is a master at taking historical facts and weaving them into captivating stories. Each time I read her books, I not only learn something about history, I enjoy the journey. Jane’s books are one example of why I adore historical fiction. Her stories center around real people and she researches her subjects well before putting pen to paper.

The Daughter’s Walk is based on the true story of Norwegian born Helga Estby who acce...more

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Apr 18, 2011 Jane rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'd give the book a 3.5 if half points were possible. The first part of the book is non-fiction, based on actual events in the lives of Clara and her mother Helga, who as a mother-daughter team attempted to $10,000 by walking from the west coast to New York and in so doing advertising a new style of shorter dress. The two women encounter many adventures and show great courage. The description of their crossing a railway trestle is one of the best written parts of the book, entirely spellbinding....more

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Apr 06, 2011 Laura Bowman rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Daughter's Walk is a historical fiction novel, which I love, based two women from the 19th Century. The mother, Helga Estby, accepted a wager to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City. The daughter, Clara accompanied her. The purpose was to further the reformed clothes that a fashion industry was trying to introduce and to encourage women to stand up for the right to vote. The challenge was to reach New York in seven months at which time Helga was to be paid ten thousand dollars. Upo...more

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Apr 04, 2011 Mary E. added it

The Daughter’s Walk (Waterbrook Press) by Jane Kirkpatrick is yet another example of Kirkpatrick’s mastery as a storyteller. Kirkpatrick, a recipient of many prestigious literary awards, is known for her meticulous attention to detail and superb characterization. She is the author of 20 books, 17 of which are historical novels. Kirkpatrick speaks with authority in her western-based books, having homesteaded with her husband on a remote ranch in Eastern Oregon.

A historical novel, The Daughter’s...more The Daughter’s Walk (Waterbrook Press) by Jane Kirkpatrick is yet another example of Kirkpatrick’s mastery as a storyteller. Kirkpatrick, a recipient of many prestigious literary awards, is known for her meticulous attention to detail and superb characterization. She is the author of 20 books, 17 of which are historical novels. Kirkpatrick speaks with authority in her western-based books, having homesteaded with her husband on a remote ranch in Eastern Oregon.

A historical novel, The Daughter’s Walk begins in 1896. Helga Estby accepts a challenge to walk 3,500 miles from Spokane, Washington to New York City. Helga insists that her daughter Clara accompany her. Sponsored by the fashion industry, the trek is to be accomplished within seven months and will be rewarded the sum of $10,000, money that could save the family farm. The walk is intended to promote a new dress fashion and also to prove that women have stamina.

The story is told by the daughter, Clara, who is against the walk from the onset. She doesn’t share her mother’s sense of adventure and feels the plan dangerous, humiliating and foolish. Helga’s husband strongly disapproves of the venture, considering it irrational and irresponsible. The family has many children and the burden of keeping house is left to the older girls, leaving them afraid and resentful.

Helga has her own reasons for accepting this challenge, among them saving Clara from what she believes would be a terrible mistake. As the story unfolds, Clara learns things about her mother that affect her own existence and place in the family.

The trek is even more arduous than either expect. Hardships and disappointments abound. Things have not gone well on the home front either, and when they eventually return both Clara and her mother find their lives irrevocably changed.

Clara’s life journey continues. She finds the consequences of the walk have defined her, in both positive and negative ways.

The Daughter’s Walk is a fascinating study of the era and its people, particularly the Norwegian community and sense of family. Kirkpatrick’s thorough research and extraordinary writing has brought to life this true story that changed the lives of so many.

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Mar 28, 2011 Vikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed The Daughter's Walk by Jane Kirkpatrick. She made the story of Helga Estby and her daughter Clara walking from Spokane to New York City in 1901 a very enjoyable read. The family farm was about to be foreclosed on so the mother wanted to make the walk to get the $10,000. prize. Kirkpatrick took an historical event and wrote what could have happened in a novel format. She was able to depict what socially was happening at this time. The family that was left at home during this wal...more

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Mar 27, 2011 Deborah Sloan rated it 5 of 5 stars

In the Victorian Era where women, no matter what your station in life, were expected to marry and be the backbone of the household, silently supporting their husbands and raising children came the Women's Suffrage Movement. Women who wanted nothing more than the right to vote and be a part of decision making for their country, comes this story of Helga and Clara Estby who take up the challenge to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York within 7 months in an effort to promote the newest clothin...more
In the Victorian Era where women, no matter what your station in life, were expected to marry and be the backbone of the household, silently supporting their husbands and raising children came the Women's Suffrage Movement. Women who wanted nothing more than the right to vote and be a part of decision making for their country, comes this story of Helga and Clara Estby who take up the challenge to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York within 7 months in an effort to promote the newest clothing design in the Women's Fashion industry.

Helga and Clara Estby want desperately to save the family farm and the reward if they can complete their journey will be $10,000, enough to do just that, but arriving 2 weeks late they are denied the reward and must find a way to return home on their own. Their exploits along this long trek and the family loss when they return home results in Clara's 20 year estrangement from her family and changing her name. Her subsequent, education, dealings in business, real estate, the fur industry, and finding family in the kind people who support her efforts. Finding ways to reach out to her family in hopes of reconciliation Clara's efforts are for naught.

Perhaps it's the struggle of women in the workforce that sparked my love so much for this book. Perhaps it is the setting of Spokane, Washington where I spent so much of my time growing up as a teenager. Perhaps it's the struggle with family dynamics that echoed so much of my life. I could relate to these women in so many ways that I cannot tell you everything there is to say.

I wonder if my relatives could have passed them on the streets of Spokane or lived nearby. It's possible. I will say that Jane Kirkpatrick has done an outstanding job on this book in collecting facts and details of these daring courageous women who lived during this era and the business they were involved in. I highly recommend this reading for any man or women and give it 5 stars! It is one I'll treasure for many years to come. Available April 5, 2011

Download Chapter One Here.

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I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review(less)

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Mar 15, 2011 Sherrie Gant added it

I really en-joyed reading Kirkpatrick's newest book due out in April. Jane recounted the story about the historical walk that young Clara and her mother took from Seattle WA to NY for $10,000 to save the family farm. Through the story, I was albe to walk the journey in Clara's shoes. After their arrival in NY, which was too late, they didn't meet the deadline, I loved how Kirkpatrick continued on with Clara's story and her life. Jane painted a very convincing picture on how Clara's life on her o...more

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Feb 06, 2011 Brenda Rupp rated it 5 of 5 stars

I was able to relate to the mother and dauther as I found out I had a different father than all of my siblings at 16, the daugther finds out when she goes with her mother on a walk on a wager with the fashion industry from Spokane, Washington to New York City in six months. The daughter can't figure out why her Mother insists she must go with her.
She soon finds out that she learns things about her Mother and her life that she never knew before.
After the walk, which is about 1/2 of the book, the...more I was able to relate to the mother and dauther as I found out I had a different father than all of my siblings at 16, the daugther finds out when she goes with her mother on a walk on a wager with the fashion industry from Spokane, Washington to New York City in six months. The daughter can't figure out why her Mother insists she must go with her.
She soon finds out that she learns things about her Mother and her life that she never knew before.
After the walk, which is about 1/2 of the book, the daughter leaves the family and goes on a journey of her own for the next 26 years before she returns to her Mother and siblings. She has quite a life and learns a lot. The books is so rich in story and characters I truly enjoyed it and didn't want to put it down to go to sleep, or anything else.
Here is the write up from the back of the book:
A mother's tragedy, a daughter's desire and the 7000 mile journey that changed their lives.

In 1896 Norwegian American Helga Estby accepted a wager from the fashion industry to walk from Spokane, Washington to New York City within seven months in an effort to earn $10,000. Bringing along her nineteen year-old daughter Clara, the two made their way on the 3500-mile trek by following the railroad tracks and motivated by the money they needed to save the family farm. After returning home to the Estby farm more than a year later, Clara chose to walk on alone by leaving the family and changing her name. Her decisions initiated a more than 20-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 brought 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.

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Sep 23, 2012 Diane rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book starts with a mother and daughter walking from Washington State to New York City in 1896! It goes on to tell of their adventures along the way, but that is only about the first quarter of the book. This is a fictionalized story about real people and events! In the Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book, the author indicates those characters who were fictional...all three of them!

The book is about families, those you are born into, and those we build around ourselves to includ...more

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Nov 22, 2011 Jennifer Jensen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Sometimes women are underestimated, even today, but imagine how much more that was commonly true in the late 1800s, early 1900s. Women weren’t allowed to vote, were required to be modest, and were expected to follow their husband’s instructions regardless of personal opinion. So imagine, in that day, a woman who purposed to walk from one edge of the continent to the other to save her family.

That is the starting point for a refreshing novel of incredible courage, amazing faith, discouraging circu...more

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May 19, 2011 Fictional Bookshelf rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya-books

Often when you read a story based on facts it can seem like you are reading in a monotone voice. That’s not the case with Jane Kirkpatrick’s story The Daughter’s Walk.

Growing up, my history classes didn’t cover unusual stories such as the infamous walk that Clara and Helga Estby took to save their family farm. In fact, what I learned was facts about wars and famous inventors. Therefore, I jumped for joy to learn something that isn’t in any high school or college history book (if it is now it’s...more Often when you read a story based on facts it can seem like you are reading in a monotone voice. That’s not the case with Jane Kirkpatrick’s story The Daughter’s Walk.

Growing up, my history classes didn’t cover unusual stories such as the infamous walk that Clara and Helga Estby took to save their family farm. In fact, what I learned was facts about wars and famous inventors. Therefore, I jumped for joy to learn something that isn’t in any high school or college history book (if it is now it’s happened since I’ve been to school).

Jane Kirkpatrick cleverly retold the story in the daughter’s first person point of view. Clara Estby was a very strong well-rounded character in this unique story of history. Through the eyes of Clara, we learn what young women in the late 1800s had to go through. We witness the highs and lows of the Estby family.

The walk from Spokane to New York was Helga Etsby’s idea. She wrote an essay as to why she should be picked out of hundreds of entries to walk across American wearing the new reform skirts that at the time seemed scandalous. The skirts would allow women to ride bicycles, walk, garden and so forth with more ease. The sponsors picked Helga’s essay and offered to pay them $10,000 if they succeeded. Imagine what that kind of money could do for a family in 1896. It would not only save the Estby’s farm but also make a large dent in the Estby children’s future.

Clara was reluctant to go. She didn’t want to spend 7 months walking across country. She didn’t want to tarnish her families name nor did she want her family issues made public. Along the way, both women meet interesting characters. Some of them slammed doors in their faces and some gave them shelter for the night.

The dynamics of the story, the characters, the settings, the facts and fictional parts make this a truly enjoyable read. While this is a historical novel, I think it would make a great YA (Young Adult) book because Clara was just a teenager when she walked 3,500 miles. She endures hardships, frustration, pain, happiness, and so much more. (less)

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May 27, 2011 Loraine Alcorn rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Daughters walk By Jane Kirkpatrick
I was able to read this Novel through blogging for books .
This is the historical story of Clara Estby life set at the turn of the last century 1900s . The story starts out with the historical walk that her and her mother took as a wager for the fashion industries new reform dresses . This wager was that Clara and her mother would walk from Spokane Washington to New york city with out the aid of any help along the way . They had to support there journey by s...more The Daughters walk By Jane Kirkpatrick
I was able to read this Novel through blogging for books .
This is the historical story of Clara Estby life set at the turn of the last century 1900s . The story starts out with the historical walk that her and her mother took as a wager for the fashion industries new reform dresses . This wager was that Clara and her mother would walk from Spokane Washington to New york city with out the aid of any help along the way . They had to support there journey by selling portraits of themselves and taking in laundry and such .

Clara did not want to go on this journey as she was employed in a nice serving position and did not think that the wager would pay off , but upon her mothers insistence that the money won from the wager would save the Estby Farm perilously close to foreclosure ,Clara relented and went with her mother . I do not want to say any more about this part of the story because it would spoil the book for you .

The perilous journey is only half the story ,because upon coming back to Spokane, Clara and her mother are not greeted by a loving and happy family as tragedy has struck as well in the time they had been gone. Family member were sure that If Clara and her mother would have stayed home, as good woman of that time did these tragedy would not have happened .

As a result of the reception that Clara got upon returning home she made the decision to continue her walk alone and into the world she went . The is the story of Courage in the face of terrible odds and a family ripped apart by hasty decisions.Its also the story of how Clara found her own way and in the end found some peace with a family reconciliation .This is not a story of truly happy endings , Thought the walk is historical fact the story of Clara is historical /fiction as the writer had to peace together what happened to Clara through her walk and life . This book is interesting and often sad but will give you an idea of what life was like to be a woman in the 1900s .(less)

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