From the author of Happiness for Beginners comes the instant New York Times bestseller (May 2018), an unforgettable love story about finding joy even in the darkest of circumstances. Margaret Jacobsen is just about to step into the bright future she’s worked for so hard and so long: a new dream job, a fiancé she adores, and the promise of a picture-perfect life just around the corner. Then, … around the corner. Then, suddenly, on what should have been one of the happiest days of her life, everything she worked for is taken away in a brief, tumultuous moment.
In the hospital and forced to face the possibility that nothing will ever be the same again, Maggie must confront the unthinkable. First there is her fiancé, Chip, who wallows in self-pity while simultaneously expecting to be forgiven. Then, there’s her sister Kit, who shows up after pulling a three-year vanishing act. Finally, there’s Ian, her physical therapist, the one the nurses said was too tough for her. Ian, who won’t let her give in to her pity, and who sees her like no one has seen her before. Sometimes the last thing you want is the one thing you need. Sometimes we all need someone to catch us when we fall. And sometimes love can find us in the least likely place we would ever expect.
How to Walk Away is Katherine Center at her very best—a masterpiece of a novel that is both hopeful and hilarious; truthful and wise; tender and brave.
Praise for How to Walk Away:
“A heartbreak of a novel that celebrates resilience and strength.” —Jill Santopolo, bestselling author of The Light We Lost
“If you just read one book this year, read How to Walk Away.” —Nina George, New York Times bestselling author of The Little Paris Bookshop
“Warm, witty, and wonderfully observed.” —Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author of First Comes Love
“Sympathetic and refreshing!” —Elinor Lipman, bestselling author of The Family Man
“I can’t think of a blurb good enough for this novel…poignant, funny, heartbreaking.” —Jenny Lawson, bestselling author of Furiously Happy
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In this story, Margaret, is taken up in a plane by her soon-to-be-licensed soon-to-be-fiance, over her complaints that she fears flying. He proposes to her while in the air, she accepts, but then the unthinkable happens. They crash on landing. Her fiance walks away without a scratch, but Margaret has third degree burns and is paralyzed from the knees down. This catapults us into the story of Margaret’s rehabilitation and relationships with her family, fiance, and physical therapist.
First, my concerns. This title seems unspeakably cruel. How to Walk Away? If the protagonist saw that, maybe she’d laugh, and take it as a joke, but if this were nonfiction, unless the narrator picked that title herself, I would find it incredibly mean. SHE CAN’T WALK. Second, I know the before-book acknowledgements describes the research process the author went through, but I would love to hear from somehow who is paralyzed or has undergone a similar trauma and what they think of the book. I can’t imagine capturing these emotions on the page without experiencing something remotely similar myself. Third, why was the protagonist not in therapy??? I cannot imagine someone going through what she went through and not going into therapy. Sure, if the author doesn’t want to describe what happens during it, fine, she hardly described OT. Just throw in a “they had me meet with a therapist” or “after PT I met with a therapist” or something. Just felt so OMITTED.
Okay. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I’ll finish with the fact that the book was wonderful. I powered through it in one sitting, and couldn’t wait to find out what happened, even though I pretty much knew what would happen (Hello, Ian). Katherine Center has that magical ability to make you forget you’re reading when you’re reading. You’re in the world, you’re with the characters, and you forget you’re simply reading a book. I also enjoyed this book SIGNIFICANTLY more than What You Wish For because the protagonist in this book was so much more likable. She’s strong, and handled her situation INSANELY well–I would have done far worse. With beautiful writing, likable characters, and an interesting plot, why NOT pick it up?
This is my first book by Katherine Center. I loved it from the first page and couldn’t put it down. It’s heartbreaking and heartwarming and funny and romantic. I highly recommend it.
I really liked the first 75%, but I struggled with the last 25%. Just like with the last Katherine Center book I read (What You Wish For), it started strong and I enjoyed it until I got towards the end. In the last 25% things just get strange. And all the drama of the secondary characters-mainly her parents-just didn’t add to the story. What could have been a 3 star book (good/enjoyed, recommend) became 2 stars (ok, borrow not buy) for me.
This is my 2nd book by this author and I fell in love with it just as much as the first. Center writes her characters and their emotions so authentically. How quickly life can change from what you thought it would be into learning a whole new existence. I loved how Margaret through the accident grew and became stronger and more sure of herself. I can’t imagine the difficulties I would have to face in a similar situation. I found the writing honest, heartbreaking, joyful and filled with nuggets of wisdom.
How To Walk Away by Katherine Center
This book was a delight to read. It is a poignant story of love, loss and learning to go forward. The characters are well developed, believable and likeable. So much of this story rang true for me. I have had friends in similar situations, on both sides of the coin, so to speak. Change is hard, especially when you are forced to do a 180. We think we have our lives planned, but then something happens to change that, forcing us to deal with situations we never thought we would have to deal with. “You get one life, and it only goes forward.”
Get ready to curl up and read this wonderful story. You won’t be disappointed!
Amazing grace
This is my first book by this author and it was a great read! I savored the story of heartbreak, sorrow, joy, inspiration, courage and love. Margaret (Maggie) Jacobson has always been afraid of flying, since she was a child. She has flown before, but is always worried about a plane crash. Her worst fear comes true and this is the story of what comes next. Maggie is angry about what has happened to her, and scared of what her life will be like going forward. Maggie’s family gathers around her and tries to help her through this difficult time. This story is well written and I enjoyed it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I have read 2 books by Katherine and this has been my least favorite. The premise of the book was good but the story was a little boring for me.
It leaves you with the reminder that life will not always be perfect or turn out the way you expect it to, but despite all of that you can still make the most of the life you are dealt.
Engaging writing, original characters, sharp dialogue–all elements of a great read, and many will find it so. Given all that, how crushed I was that about a quarter of the way through, a switch flipped for me and it became terribly predictable. The mid-book reveal felt more cliched than shocking. All that said, the writing is so strong, many readers won’t mind the predictability or the cliche, and truth is, a lot of the human condition is cliche. The subject itself is a heart-rending explore, and readers who either did or didn’t like The Dive From Clausen’s Pier won’t be able to resist the comparison. The two books approach the same painful question of what does an unmarried couple owe each other when one becomes disabled, but from different points of view (the disabled person vs the survivor’s-guilt non-disabled person) and with completely different pathos, which makes the parallels all the more intriguing.
An unflinching look at how a tragic accident can change the trajectory of a life, How to Walk Away is a rich story with emotion and depth. The story doesn’t necessarily go where you thinks it’s going to go, and is better for it. The characters are well sketched and compelling. If you’re looking for a novel that will take you through a journey, this is the one to consider.
Well developed characters and well written! Loved this book–great ending!
There are a few lessons to learn in this book for both parties, never be forced into doing something you don’t really want to do (especially if its fear based), and don’t force people to “face their fears”. This was such a great novel that it felt so real and I was on the verge of tears a few times. My father being from Glasgow I could “hear” Ian’s accent and I had a few chuckles. I really loved this book, a lot more then I thought. A must read for anyone who loves great writing.
An inspiring, tender look at redefining and rebuilding life when the unexpected occurs.
I’m late to this book that got much hype last summer but I loved it so much. It was an easy read that dealt with a very difficult subject and the fallout with a sense of humor and hop. Katherine knows how to write a great story about hitting rock bottom before working your way back up. Perfect for these strange times when you need to find hope and love. Don’t skip this one.
This is the second book by this author that I’ve read and this was just as good! I can’t imagine going through what Maggie did, I was inspired by her courage. I really enjoyed this book! Definitely recommend
I haven’t cried so much reading a book. A tragic plane crash with your fiance turned into weeks and a lifetime of recovery. Alone? Maybe, maybe not. So powerful watching the character take charge and gain her independence stubbornly. If you’re looking for something powerful, emotional, and raw this is it!
Very predictable and far fetched.
I liked this novel. Good character development and fun dialogue. Explored the topic of accidents that change your life very well without being sappy.
Loved it!
This was a tragic story of a young lady at the beginning of her life, after having prepared for her future so well, when having it interrupted by an airplane accident. I suppose it was more relatable to me because I have MS, and my walking is such a challenge. I felt so sorry for her. The story had a happy ending, although much different than she expected. I guess life sometimes gives one obstacles, and it is up to us to make adjustments and acceptance to those adjustments. How well we do is the challenge to our personal happiness.