Mystery leads young girl around the world in Douglas Westerbeke's debut novel
In 1885, a 9-year-old Parisian girl, cursed or blessed with a disease that forces her to stay in constant motion, sets out around the world, at first with her bewildered mother, but soon on her own, in an adventure that will last for decades.
Aubry Tourvel, the youngest of three daughters and possessed of a “spoiled, headstrong personality,” is living an ordinary life when she finds – or perhaps is found by – a mysterious puzzle ball, which follows her even when she leaves it behind.
When she refuses to drop it into a wishing well with a human face, as instructed by her sisters, she suddenly begins to suffer from a disease that causes severe convulsions and uncontrollable bleeding.
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As she discovers by accident, the only cure is to get away into a new location, which leads to her crisscrossing the globe many times over, never able to stay in one spot for more than about three days without life-threatening consequence, and never allowed to return to a place she has already visited.
Along the way, she makes a cherished spear to kill food and defend herself, and picks up temporary friends and lovers, getting to know people as she travels on boats or trains, which allow the luxury of longer acquaintanceship, and occasionally being joined by people fascinated by her.
She also finds, while attempting to cross the Himalayas, a secret network of magical libraries, extending for miles, complete with food for when she is hungry, with exits into unpredictable parts of the world. While she can't access the entry points to the libraries by will, they seem to appear whenever she is desperate.
In his debut novel, Douglas Westerbeke, for many years a librarian at the Cleveland Public Library, writes with a light and beguiling touch, and knows how to structure a story. The story loops and jumps through time as Aubry, a captivating and resilient character, relates tales from her past to those she meets along the way.
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Even with its outlandish premise, Westerbeke grounds the novel in the textural details of the many places Audry journeys through, and the physical and emotional challenges she faces as her life evolves through the decades.
Readers may not envy Aubry her plight, but sharing her journey from an armchair is pure pleasure.
At a glance
Westerbeke is to appear for a conversation with Bexley Public Library director Ben Heckman at 7 p..m. April 30 at the Bexley Public Library Auditorium, 2411 E. Main St., Bexley.
Admission is free, but registration is required at bexleylibrary.org.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Bexley to welcome Westerbeke with release of debut novel April 30
