Water Walker

By: Ted Dekker

Narrated by: Randi Larson

Length: 9 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's Summary

"My name is Alice Ringwald, but the man who kidnapped me says that's a lie."

Thirteen-year-old orphan Alice Ringwald has no memory beyond six months ago. The only life she knows is the new one she's creating one day at a time with the loving couple that recently adopted her and gave her new hope. That hope, however, is shattered one night when she is abducted by a strange man. In a frantic FBI man hunt, the kidnapper vanished with Alice. So begins Water Walker, a modern-day parable that examines the staggering power of forgiveness, and reminds us that it's possible to live free of the hurt that keeps our souls in chains.

©2014 Ted Dekker (P)2014 Ted Dekker

Too much abuse… too heavy

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I liked 30 AD, A child called Blessed and a Man called Blessed. But the cult like heavy twisting of scripture and continual emotional abuse in this book was TOO much for me. I couldn't wait for it to be over. No need to go on and on with the heavy dose of what living in a cult is like. Not a pleasurable read at all. Too upsetting.

This stiory was a bit too cruel and abusive

What did you like best about Water Walker? What did you like least?

I was shocked and haunted by the child abuse that took place all through the book.

Would you ever listen to anything by Ted Dekker again?

Not sure, altho I have previously listened to many of his books.

Any additional comments?

I kept waiting for a happy moment, for a break in the sad cruelty, but it never came until late in the book. I am still haunted by the child abuse and twisting of Christianity. I know the characters were not true followers of the loving Christ because of their actions, but others may not be able to make the distinction. The ending did not make it clear to me.
I could not recommend this book.

Ted Dekker takes a leap into the unusual...

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would highly recommend it. The collage of colliding personalities is intriguing.

What did you like best about this story?

My first impression was that of looney-tune characters who had stepped out of the realm of reality and into a cult. I kept waiting on one of them to come apart at the seams and chop someone's head off, so it made my nerves feel like a stretched band of elastic that would snap at any time.

What about Randi Larson’s performance did you like?

Randi blended from character to character without missing a step. Voice inflections were constant and perfect. The almost monotone voice of the mother was unnerving and added to the tension. Well done!

If you could rename Water Walker, what would you call it?

I'd call it -- A Step of Faith -- and would keep the scenario of the boat on water and stepping out of it, etc. I didn't particularly like the title. To be honest, I only bought the book because I heard a Walmart employee say she was reading it and it was such high tension that she didn't want to read it late at night.

Any additional comments?

As a writing tutor, I enjoyed studying the protagonist's inner conflict. At times, it stretched believability, but people who fall into cults do show that type of behavior, which is what saved the day.

After the father takes the girl home, he pretty much drops out of the picture. If he had been more involved, I think it would have added more balance to the story.

The reader never knows why or how Zeke came to hold such a high position of power. A little more background in that area would have helped the setting. Also, I kept wondering HOW he found the girl. The unanswered questions gave me an incomplete feeling.

Water Walker

This author is an excellent writer. His stories are often off the beaten path with conclusions which are not obvious from the beginning and therefore they keep my interest until the last page. I have a deference however with characters who use supernatural means to make contact with their counter parts. In my environment there is a battle raging in the spiritual realm in which people are heavily into Wicca and such. I think many people, including Christians, who are seeking "guidance" are not spiritually equipped to discern good and evil in such an environment. As for me I live and survive by God's grace alone. The story itself is an excellent portrayal of forgiveness and of how someone can twist God's word to their advantage.

Not very good...

There were several curse words, which being a Christian book, there shouldn't have been. The story line was well written but in parts in was so "fantasy, fiction" it really took away from the story in thy it could have gone in another direction. If this were simply mystery and drama without the unrealistic hooplah, it would have been good. The story ends without giving you a definitive direction of the main character. I wouldn't recommend.

The eternal power of forgiveness and identity!!

Loved this story depicting the unbeleivable power that is provided through forgiveness and identity!!! A great picture of the upside down kingdom!!

Different

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, although I would warn anyone I recommended this to that there is a religious component. If they have a problem with that, I would add that it isn't an "in your face, become a Christian" kind of thing and that the writing quality is good enough that they really should try it. I am a Christian myself but I normally cannot stomach most Christian authors. They usually aren't stand-out writers and they usually make faith too simplistic. Ted Dekker is a good writer, up there with well known secular writers, at least, judging from this book.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eden - she was and still is fascinating. I want to understand more of her background.

What does Randi Larson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Ms Larson's narration was unusual but fit the book very well.

If you could rename Water Walker, what would you call it?

Water Walker seems to me the best title.

Any additional comments?

I listened to this because a friend's recommendation - she mistakenly told me that it was the first of the series, when it was actually the second. I plan to read or listen to the first one (Eyes Wide Open) next and I hope some things will become more clear - although I suspect this is a mysterious kind of book, anyway - a mixture of realism and faith (not that faith isn't real, too, imo, but I'm sure you understand what I mean).

Liked it

Ending was dull, but overall it was a good book. Had me guessing and cringing and hoping that the main character would get out okay! Super messed up family situation that made me want to come through the book and punch the mother character. But good writing is suppose to make you feel emotions like that. (I dislike it when female narrators try to impersonate male characters voices in audiobooks. Wish audiobooks would use more than one narrator for times like that. How hard would that be guys!?

Thought Provoking

Thought Provoking story, creative story line that ties a kidnapped child's experience to that of Jesus.

Powerful

I love how he catches you off guard with deep spiritual truths! He leaves you questioning for a bit but then God always comes through.

Another Costume

Well told story emotionally gripping. Easy to read. Good to read Outlaw first. . .