The Road to Grace by Richard Paul Evans

 

"I suppose if I were completely honest with myself (which I've already established I'm not), I'd have to admit that I'm not really walking to Florida. Key West is as foreign to me as any of the towns I've walked through on the way. I'm walking to find what life may hold. I'm looking for hope. Hope that life might still be worth living, and hope for the grace to accept what I must live without."

              -Alan Christoffersen's thoughts

This is the third book in The Walk series and the third I have read. I guess I am hooked. Another 5 rating.

Our sojourner, Alan Christoffersen, began walking in Seattle with the goal of making it to Key West. In this installment, he started in Custer, South Dakota, where he met a woman from his past. She ended up stalking him (6 chapters!) seeking his forgiveness. Near the Badlands, Alan visited Wall Drug, a famous place I'd never heard of.

When Alan became extremely ill on the road, he was aided by a good Samaritan, a Polish fellow by the name of Leszek, who got him to the ER and then took him in until he recovered. During that time Jewish Holocaust survivor Leszek told his amazing story of escape from the Nazis and spoke to Alan of forgiveness. A very poignant part of the novel.

I was amused by Alan's brief meeting with ladies of the Red Hat Society in Sioux Falls. I was once a Red Hat member.

When Alan reached Sidney, Iowa, he figured he was about halfway to Key West. A lonely woman named Analise invited him to her home. Later he met Israel, a self-professed tramp with a "most unfortunate view of God."

Alan enjoyed some tourist time in Hannibal, Missouri, home of Mark Twain, but nearing St. Louis, he became very ill again and ended up in St. Lous University Hospital. When he woke, he was surprised to see Falene, his former employee and good friend from Seattle. She had to give him difficult news.

Now I can look for Book 4, A Step of Faith. I surely hope Alan makes it to Key West!