Walking on Water: A Novel (The Walk Series)

Like so many other fans, I eagerly anticipated the finale installment of Richard Paul Evans "The Walk" series, "Walking on Water". After traveling vicariously through Alan's eyes for the last 4 years I was almost sad to see the adventure end as I counted the days to May 6th , anxiously intrigued to read the conclusion. If ever there was a roller coaster road of life, Alan Christoffersen has traveled it. Snagged and tripped up by various speed bumps along the way, he is encouraged and challenged by the stories of those he has met traversing from Seattle, WA to Key West, FL. This book concludes that emotional sojourn and I can honestly say it was so worth the wait. So close yet so far, this chapter begins with him traveling back to his boyhood home in Pasadena, CA. to be near his ailing father. Alan learns more about his family and his past then he ever thought possible and through turmoil realizes what a gift that knowledge is. One of my favorite lines in the book comes from a chess analogy from his father: "The past makes a good bishop but a poor king". To figure out what it means, one must read the book. :-) Good friends and old friends rallied around him once more. Love slips through his fingers through no fault of his own and he returns to the last leg of his quest alone. Traveling though Florida, Alan meets some interesting characters including two "sirens" and a group of brew drinking men who try to convince him that he needs to give up his past memories as to them it only brings pain. A tunnel visioned religious fanatic tries to persuade Alan that his "Church" is the only saving way to God and Alan brilliantly refutes the man's arguments. He continues on to hopefully complete the mission he started and what he discovers at the end brought me to tears. Actually, most of the book is tear-worthy and profoundly heart moving. After running the gamut of emotions while reading this book, I am anxious to read it again. A Reading Group Guide at the end of the Kindle version is a added bonus!! I will miss Alan and will treasure all that he has taught me about hope, grace and forgiveness throughout his journey. Thank you, Alan, for letting me to hitch a ride and share your experiences. This series as a whole is awesome and each book has gems of wisdom and insight. I will be recommending it to everyone. I can't wait to see what Richard Paul Evans has in store for us next!!

'Walking on Water' is the fifth and final book in 'The Walk' series by Richard Paul Evans. After Alan Christoffersen loses his wife, his business, his home and cars, he decides to set off of a walk from Seattle, WA, to the farthest point in the United States, Key West, FL. Alan meets some unforgettable characters along the way and makes some lifelong friends, too. His adventures range from funny to scary. In his last book, he has reached the border of Florida when he received word that his father is in the hospital. He flies back to California to be with his ailing father. This is where the fifth book begins. Alan discovers things about his father that he never knew before, bringing him closer to his father. This is a time of discovery for Alan and healing in many ways. It is also a time of sorrow and loss of many things. Alan resumes his walk through Florida again meeting some interesting characters. I love the way Richard Paul Evans describes what Alan sees along his walk. It makes you be able to see it and feel like you are walking with him. Why is Alan walking? He answers this question in this book. What will Alan do after his walk is completed? This is also answered. Through his walk Alan finds hope and healing and offers hope to others who think they have nothing to live for as Alan did in the beginning. I have anxiously awaited each book in the series and read them eagerly to see what was going to happen to Alan. I was not disappointed. I loved this book and the whole series. I hate to see this journey end. I hope that Richard Paul Evans will write another series or at least another book following the life of Alan and the other characters. Anyone who has followed Alan on his walk feels like Alan is part of the family. We want to know what happens next. Be prepared to have tissues handy as you read this book.

This is one of for books. Great reading for someone who has experience a loss. Highly recommend!

This book is #5 in the Walk Series. I highly recommend reading this series. It is an excellent overview of our land according to a man who walks from Washington to Key West after losing his wife to death and contains his thoughts about life issues and what he's learned. Richard's books are full of advice, wonderful quotes, a fabulous story line and a book you cannot put down. His characters are real. If you are not familiar with Richard Paul Evans books, now would be a great time to introduce him into your life. His books are romantic but clean. My 98 year old friend said "I'll never read a trashy book again having read Richard". She fell in love with him. Don't wait another day to start the Series. I always pre-order from Amazon KNOWING it will be a wonderful read.

Okay, so I've really enjoyed this series. Well written, just engaging enough for light but meaningful reading. That said... (warning: Spoiler Alert) ... I'm so aggravated that Falene was brought back into the story in such a big way. That just felt contrived and out of left field. As far as the reader has been given, there's just not much there with her. All we have is the fact that she worked for Alan, had feelings for him while he was still happily married, is model gorgeous with a rough start to life and just managed his assets when he left town. That's it. That was not enough to root for her, and buy into them just falling in love. Who was with him every step of the way, supporting him and not just pouting and leaving him when he was hospital bound? Nicole. Who was invested in the dad? Nicole. Was I the only one rooting for Nicole? Or even someone altogether new, as opposed to ol' Falene? Ah, well. Alan made it. And overall glad I took the journey with him. Even though I was huffing and rolling my eyes on the last chapter. haha I'm sure they'll live happily ever after. (Nicole and the doctor, that is. I'm still not buying the Alan, Falene story.) :P

Me lembro de ler o primeiro livro dessa série. E me marcou bastante. Chegar ao final dessa série depois de tantos anos esperando a versão em português que nunca chegou é um momento de alegria. Admiro demais essa obra. Esse livro é fantástico. O autor arrasou no término dessa bela história. Vai ser a série de livros que ficará marcado com muito carinho no meu coração. Agradeço ao autor pela lindas lições que ensinou nesta bela obra.

This inspirational series is like a modern Pilgrim's Progress, and as Dorothy discovered at the end of her Journey in "The Wizard of Oz" there is "no place like home" This story looks at -what if home is gone, your love is gone and your career is gone? I found this series really touched me as I read The first book "The Walk" eight years after I lost my husband, the love of my life. It seem to get harder not easier. I ran into all kinds of issues with my new home, and was hit with strata levy and after strata levy what had been a dream was now a financial nightmare and I sold it, to get out from under and am still paying off the last levy. I came under attack at a job I had enjoyed for 15 years and took pride in doing a good job, it took her two years but the New Manager succeeded in having the company terminate my employment. So I have experienced what happened to Alan in the same time as the series of books came out. The end of the story gives me hope that there are other people out there who have experienced the same types of tragedies and problems, I am not alone. One day at a time, one step at a time life goes on. We learn lessons along the way. I don't want t o reveal parts of the story. However, I am going to start at the beginning and read them all again as one book without a one year wait in between each book. You can only benefit from this story, it has a well crafted ending with no loose strings. I enjoyed it very much

A wonderful wonderful series. Would highly recommend!!!!!!

There are some books that the author writes so that the reader is able to bring their own needs, wishes and hopes to the story. The whole "Walk series" is written thus. I have gotten so much out of this series, really even more than I even thought that I wanted. Walking on Water wrapped everything up, and even though I appreciated the first three books more I really loved the quirky characters tha Richard Paul Evens depicted. They were so well portrayed that I really felt that I could see them, that I also met them. And of course there was the walk itself. I was there with Alan, seeing the places mentioned. It was a wonderful vacation! 4.5 stars

I picked up one of his books at a second hand bok store and could not put it down. I have continued to search out his books and have had a great many hours of enjoyable travels thanks to his style of writting. Life is not always what you want it to be but this writter gives you a journey to another time and place when you just want a change. Thank you Richard Paul Evans.