Walking+Across+Egypt



Information about //[|Walking Across Egypt]// Halle Brown: Walking Across Egypt was a well written novel that’s theme truly inspires the reader. Clyde Edgerton’s “small-town setting” was what drew me to the book. I enjoyed reading Edgerton’s novel of the spunky widow, who at seventy-eight year old was “slowing down just a bit”. The author writes with such vivid description and after Edgerton, through his writing, takes the reader through inside Mattie’s house I felt as though I was there, watching the scenes of this book as though it were a movie. While reading, I felt as though various items in her house were tangible and her southern home cooking aroused my gustatory imagery. I like the underlying idea, or theme giving a second chance, which is a lesson of life everyone can relate to. Not many people show empathy like Mattie, she really puts her faith in Wesley, the sixteen year old delinquent who only lacked direction and a dentist! While her daughter, Elaine, Judges Wesley and his friend Patricia on their appearance saying they looked like “riffraff” Mattie explains a bible verse to her: “You know, from the Bible, one of the least of these my Brethren.” I love this book not only for its relatable southern setting and Edgerton’s great writing but also for its eye opening lessons on empathy and forgiveness.

Comments:Tucker Snively: Walking across Egypt was a pleasant surprise this summer. I knew the plot going in to the book and to be honest it did not sound very interesting. Normally I would not take an interest in a book where the main character is a 78 year old woman named Mattie Rigsbee and most of the story is about her getting old, but i must say that this book was very easy to read although it was lacking some of the thrills of a Tom Clancy novel. I liked how Mattie tryed not to be like a normal seventy eight year old and would mowe her own lawn and various other activites. In this way she reminded me of my own grandma. Even though Elaine and Robert strongly engourage her to slow down and rest because she is old she refuses and keeps on living life the way she want to. When mattie finds a dog on her back steps she wants to care for the dog, but she knows that she is too old. She eventually calls the dog catcher who she forms a friednship with, so all in all the situation didnt turn out too badly. For anyone who is interested in reading this book i would definetly recommend it. It was a easy book to read and it went by quickly, but if you are looking for a book with alot of action this book is not for you.

Leland Darby: "Walking Across Egypt" was a book that kept me wanting to turn the page, which is pretty rare in the summertime. It was a short, easy read and never predictable. Clyde Edgerton's describition of his characters really gave you a personal view on how the characters acted and felt. At times the scenes were so clear if was as if I was watching a movie. When Mattie was cooking, I could almost taste the food. Mattie never failed to show her generous heart. Her kindness was open to anyone she enountered. Mattie was truly an inspirational character. She never let her age keep her from the life she wanted to live, and she helped others out when they were in need. Even though she claims to be "slowing down" she opens her home to Wesley and even gets the dog she gave away back. Mattie is a great example of how a good christian should act. This book renforces my faith in humankind. I would recommend this book in the future and hope it remains on the summer reading list.

Joseph Weintraub: Clyde Edgerton's "Walking Across Egypt" tells the story of an elderly woman, Mattie Risbee, and how her views change through her different experiences. Although this book lacked in excitement, it was truly unpredictable, and the reader was left thinking what is goin to happen next. When reading this book I had no idea that Mattie Risbee would take Wesley into her own home and would take full responsibilty for him even at her old age which was a major concern for her. This act of kindness is not out of character for Matttie in that she is notorious for inviting people into her home to eat some of her great food. The dogcatcher helped Mattie in many ways and spent many meals with her enjoying her famous pound cake. Mattie is a very spiritual individual and makes it her businees to have Elaine and Robert appreciate their religion and all they have been given. "Walking Across Egypt" surprisingly disappointed me. I felt that the book dragged on and nothing really ever happend. The book finally reached my expectations in the final 10 pages and by that time I felt it was to late. Mattie took full responsibility for Wesley and was going to adopt the dog. This was the only enjoyable part of the book for me. Although a little bit boring the book was not to terrible because it was such an easy read i found myself cruisin ghtrough this book without any real problem. Clyde Edgerton did a great job of description and I felt that I always had a clear mental picture in my mind as to what was going on. If you enjoy an easy read you should consider this book, but i would not recommend it due to its lack of action. Henry Oelsner: Clyde Edgerton’s “Walking Across Egypt” was a nice leisurely summer read. Edgerton did a wonderful job at taking the reader into the minds of the various characters, from the mind of a kind southern woman in Mattie Rigsbee to the mind of a troubled teenage delinquent in Wesley. I enjoyed how Edgerton let us hear everyone’s thoughts during numerous parts in the book. For instance, the hectic dinner party where Wesley is arrested was written very well, just because Edgerton took us into the minds of every character present at the table, including minor characters like Laurie. I also enjoyed reading about Mattie, because in some respects she reminded me a lot of my own 84 year old grandma. As I read, I could imagine my grandma thinking similarly. For instance, my grandma is very religious like Mattie and she has her church friends which she looks forward to seeing every Sunday. Also my grandma worries about the smallest things and what people will think very similarly to Mattie, who could only think about her dirty dishes in the sink and what people would think of them when she was stuck in the rocking chair. Although this book was a relaxing book, I did not thoroughly enjoy it as I have with other books. First, the book was rather dull with no really exciting plot twists, and the big moments that are present, such as Wesley being caught at Mattie’s house, are exaggerated so that its not too exciting and Wesley doesn’t even put up any struggle. Second, I felt like the book was written for a younger age group. I didn’t mind this second point that much though, because it was a satisfying change from the more difficult books of my summer reading. Lastly, the ending was abrupt and did not provide me with a feeling of closure. I believe Edgerton could have continued the book a bit more and have shown life for Mattie with Wesley living in her home. All in all, I read this book fast which made me feel good, because I am a slow reader and it provided a change of pace from the rest of the assigned school books, in the sense that it was much easier and more of a leisurely read.

Hannah Fisher: Once I started reading //Walking Across Egypt//, I knew it was going to be an amazing book. Not only was it an easy read, but the whole way through I couldn't wait to see what happened next. Clyde Edgerton wrote with such detail that I could picture Mattie exactly. Her foods physically would jump off the page and would make me what to taste her recipies. Her simple soul, her famous delicacies, and her attitude about life made me smile even though it was just a story. The novel inspires people to have faith in any type of person. It doesn't matter if they are troubled or sick, they can still be "helped". Once Wesley entered her life, after he has escaped from the RC, she knew she was in for a ride. He didn't have the manners Mattie expected of him, but she could sense his potential. The whole time she thought he was out of the RC because he was on a break, but he had actually escaped. Wesley hoped this older woman was his grandmother so he could stay with her and never go back. At the beginning of the book ironically we see Mattie get rid of a dog because she is "slowing down", but in the end she has to decide whether or not she should take Wesley in so he can experience a real life. A life that he could finally be happy in and of course she HAS to fix his teeth because he's never been to the dentist. In the end, Mattie looks for the answer by praying to G-d. Then she sees six figures: three on the right and three on the left, and if Wesley should stay with her then all the ones on the right should stand, but if not, the ones on the left will stand in disagreement. In the end, the three on the right stand and Mattie says, "That's that." This book is a wonderful read, and I am so happy I chose such an inspiring book.

Amy McGreevy: //Walking Across Egypt// was a really good book. Like Hannah said, it was really easy to read which made it much more enjoyable. I actually enjoyed reading the book. I didn't want to put the book down because I wanted to find out what happened next. Mattie was hilarious and kept me laughing. Her character, her recipes, and her oblivious nature made her a perfect main character. When Wesley entered the story, Mattie was completely cluesless about his past and did not even question where he was from, but instead just took in a complete stranger. Mattie's obliviousness made the story ten times better. One particularly funny part is when the police come to try and capture Wesley and take him back to RC while they are in church, Wesley puts on a choir robe and pretends that he is part of the choir. He is not caught until later but his disguise worked out perfectly! Mattie is the perfect housekeeper and sounds like an excellent cook. I want to try some of her recipes. I was very inspired by this book because it shows how we judge people first off without even giving them a chance. I was shown that we need to wait to pass judgement on people until we have actually seen what they are like on the inside.

Sarah Guest: I enjoyed reading //Walking Across Egypt//. It was definately an easy read, but a good story at the same time. The way Clyde Edgerton characterized his charcters made it easy for me to picture them in my mind. I liked the way he would have a character say a sentence and then right after you would see what that character was thinking inside their head. This added a nice comic effect as well as an insight on the charcter's personality. And the way he described the food that Mattie would make even made me crave some of my own grandmother's home cooking. In the end though I realized that yes, it was Maddie's purpose to help out the juvenile delinquent, Wesley, but at the same time, I think that Wesley actually helped her out, and took her mind off of her "slowing down." He was like her grandson that she never had, which I think is exactly what she needed to focus her attention on, and to give her something to care for, otherwise she eventually would have "stopped".

Alize Mussini: //Walking Across Egypt// was a fantastic book to read. The well explained atmosphere in which the setting takes place make the reader comfortable about the story and help picturing the actions in an easy way.The main character, Mattie Rigsbee, is described deeply and more particularly her daily life and her habits that she got through the years of living by herself in a house. Her entire day is schedule in function of her TV program but also of the many religious songs that she plays to the piano, "She had only a few minutes before All My Children." However her daily routine is interrupted when a young, delinquent Wesley Benfield enter in her life and thinks, or maybe hopes that she is the grand mother he never had. At this moment Mattie's life changes and she wants to take care of him. I think she finds a reason to tell to her family for this unexpected devotion to this kid in the Bible as something she has to do for God and her own soul. This book shows faith in humankind and how some people whom should take care of themselves first because of their age, are brave to also take care of people who are in need.

Marshall Mickalis: //Walking Across Egypt// was and enjoyable and easy novel to read. It was a step out of your typical classroom book that has many themes and multiple meanings. The book may have been quite simple but it displayed an extremely important theme in life. Clyde Edgerton displayes a phase most of us will reach when we get older, slowing down or at least thinking we are, in a typically southern styled neighborhood. Slowing down was the major theme and this book and it seemed that Mattie believed her time was coming soon and she couldn't except any responsibilities because of that. The theme was first displayed with the stray dog who was removed from her home by the dog catcher because Mattie believed she was too old and slow to take care of a dog. As the story went on, we learned that Mattie was a deeply reliylgious woman and she believed God wanted her to help Wesley because he was a "least of our brethren." Although she did help Wesley in the end by deciding to adopt him, Wesley did more for her because without him Mattie would have spent the rest of her life looking forward to nothing but death. He got her back on her feet and ready to except responsibilities. The book ends with Mattie pondering over if she should go back to the pound to get the stray dog from the beginning of the novel, proving she is her old self again. I believe the big message in this novel is following God always leads to good places, proving Clyde Edgerton is most likely a very religious guy.

Kedar Trivedi: //Walking Across Egypt ,// as everyone has said is an easy read enjoyable and interesting. The reason I picked this book was because I am interested in World History, but of course now I know it was a misleading title. Though I don't regret it in the slightest bit. The first few pages were quite a shock to me because I couldn't imagine a 78-year old women to be cabable of doing. Her recipes sounded so delicious that I could imagine them in front me. Mattie Rigsbee has an easy going life style who seems quite religious to me because she sings religious songs. I don't really know anything about Clyde Edgerton but seeing that he could write such a spectacular novel with good imagery abouth the southern lifestyle, he must be a southener. Mattie attitude to living at such an old age was imaginable when how seeing these days that people in their 40's can't even compare to the cheerful attitude of Mattie. Mattie didn't believe in her self fo taking care of the stray dog and we know that she is capable to do that task but she doesn't have faith in herself so if we don't have faith in ourselves then who will. This book shows that you should have faith in yourself and also other people. We knew at the end that she was capable to take care of the dog because she adopted Wesley at the end of the book so she was more than capble to take care of a stray dog. Now Wesley, in my opinion, was like the grandson Mattie never had and vice versa. They helped each other in the book. Mattie helped Wesley by loving and sheltering him and Wesley brought her to knowing to have faith in herself that is capable of having responsibilities. The main statement in the book is to have faith

Nikki Derbyshire: Much like an actual walk across Egypt this book was dry, barren and in desperate need of rejuvenation. Edgerton’s idea to write a book about the good will of an individual towards others was honorable, but his execution was poor. One notable issue with his writing was the constant shifts in point of view. When he would want to express thoughts of different characters he would switch into first person and then back into third. By doing this he made it impossible to fully see into any one character’s mind.Also many of the events that were “funny” were not book funny. For example, Mattie falling through her chair was not very humorous, to be at least, in a book, perhaps it would have been in a movie. Another example of this was when Robert was stuck on the roof and Mattie put couch cushions down to break his fall.Finally, the ending was just a bit flat. When I closed the back cover of this book, I did not really get a sense of closure in any way.

Sam Chick: I found Clyde Edgerton's //Walking Across Egypt// to be an excellent novel, nevertheless, I must agree with Nikki, that at times it was in need of rejuvenation. Although this novel was an easy read, as many have pointed out, and had great comedic flair, I found the ending a bit bland. Throughout the novel Edgerton's marvelous descriptions would leap off the page, leaving me wanting more and unable to put down the book, as well as craving one of Mattie's amazing meals and a slice of "the best pound cake ever". Upon finishing the book, however I found myself feeling a little disappointed. The ending simply lacked the excellence of the rest of the novel, once again leaving me wanting more and wishing Edgerton had ended the book differently. Overall, I did enjoy the story and found Mattie's belief in helping "the least of these my brethren" as well as the theme of giving second chances very admirable. I can't say this is the most amazing book I've ever read in my life, but I did find it to be one of the more enjoyable summer reading books I've ever read and I definitely don't regret choosing it.

Bradley McClelland: Clyde Edgerton's book Walking Across Egypt is an enjoyable masterpiece of fiction. In this novel Edgerton uses his fantastic diction and his descriptive genius in order to provide a fascinating aura behind the seventy-eight year old Mattie Rigsbee, a home-cooking delightful church going character who makes the "best pound cake ever". Mattie is a culinary master who invites others into her household for a meal whenever it is possible. Since she is such a wonderful cook everyone is always willing to schedule an appointment to fix something around lunch or supper time. In the beginning of the book Mattie takes in a stray fice that she calls the dogcatcher to come get because she is "slowing down". The dogcatcher, a man named Lamar Benfield who happens to have a young delinquient nephew named Wesley, whom at the time is residing in the RC, comes to get the dog. Wesley sends a note to his Uncle Lamar asking for him to sign some papers so Wesley can get out of the Correction Facility. Mattie being the intrusive yet helpful person she is, reads the note and finds out about Wesley. Then she goes to visit him and instantly there is a connection between them. Mattie keeps telling herself that she can't take him in for reasons like his bad teeth. Convinced that the lady who came to see him at the RC is his grandmother, Wesley escapes and flees to Lamar's trailer. Next Wesley heads to see "grandma" who makes the moistest pound cake ever, telling her he is on a break that he gets once a month. Wesley ends up staying with Mattie on two conditions he takes a bath and goes to church with her on Sunday. He agrees hoping to get some pound cake. He takes a bath and uses all the soap in order to make the bubbles he saw in the commercials. The next day while in church, the police come for Wesley after getting a lead from the talkative Beatrice, a sunday school goer in Mattie's class. Wesley and a policeman both dress up in choir robes not knowing of each others presence. The chase ultimately ends at Matties after church when the Chevy Lebaron Wesley stole is found at Mattie's. In the end, Mattie signs the papers, and diverts her slowing down. She even begins to look for the hymn she has searched so long for, Walking Across Egypt. Also she gets the stray back so it isn't put down. This book shows how faith in others can bring about good things, and really defines the lifestyle spoken off in the verse about the "least of these my brethren". Mattie is a prime example of the love and forgiveness of both God and Christians, as well as practicing what you preach; unlike some people like Alora and Finner. This book's theme is that of a second chance. I personally would recommend such a wonderful and eye opening book to anyone.

Bruce Norton: I thoroughly enjoyed reading “Walking Across Egypt”. Clyde Edgerton brilliantly tells the story of seventy-eight year old Mattie Rigsbee, whose attempts to slow down are thwarted by a stray dog and a teenage delinquent. Edgerton flawlessly keeps an underlying humorous tone while depicting some very serious situations. For instance, when Mattie falls through her chair and is stuck waiting for several hours. While many would consider this situation serious, Edgerton turns it into a comical event. Edgerton’s descriptive ability is also remarkable. Mattie’s cooking seems to jump off the page. Religion plays a major theme throughout the book. Mattie’s faith affects many parts of her life, whether it is how she sits down at her piano every night and sings church hymns, or her reasoning for adopting Wesley. In short, Mattie Rigsbee is a very real character, and although the ending lacked any real closure, sometimes a cliffhanger can be just as good.

Banks Bailey: Clyde Edgerton's //Walking Across Egypt// was a well-written, down-to-earth piece of Carolina home-cooked literature. I chose this book for its knee-slapping comedy and a nearby setting with which I could relate. After reading it, I appreciated it not only for the laugh-out-loud moments, but also for the sentimental value of an old woman finding the will to live again in fostering a teenage boy who is a bit rough around the edges. However, at times, I felt like the plot started slowing down because it lacked action, even conflict. Edgerton made up for it though, with his vivid description and insightful looks into each character's thoughts. During last year's summer reading, I found this was a technique Michael Crichton employed in //Next// but overdid it a little to the point where I felt distanced from the main character. Edgerton does a much tidier job of balancing out the different perspectives to provide a better understanding of the story. The cast of characters is very unique and adds greatly to the book's comedic appeal. //Walking Across Egypt// has an open, realistic quality to it paired with Edgerton's brilliant description makes for a fun read that really captures the reader. I can easily picture Alora walking down the road with a gun concealed underneath a Kleenex to fend off the rapists or Robert dangling helplessly from the top of a rotting ladder barking at his mom to bring him some pillows to soften the fall. I disagree with those who said the ending lacked closure because it seemed very clear to me that Mattie had decided to become Wesley's legal guardian and possibly bring home the dog, too. Also, Robert and Elaine were on the road to finally settling down and having a family, which was an internal conflict for Mattie since the beginning of the book. It turns out that all it took was a little spice to Mattie's life to to send her in the right direction. Walking Across Egypt was an enjoyable read with a theme that teaches us that everyone deserves a second chance.

Nolan Coulter: I really enjoyed reading //Walking Across Egypt//. The book was an easy read which was a good change after reading //Guns, Germs, and Steal.// I thought Clyde Edgerton did an admirable job on how he illustrated and described each and everyone of his characters. I found it rather easy to picture scenes in the book, such as when Robert got stuck on the ladder and rotted wooden ladder was falling out from under him, and how Clyde described Mattie's cooking was amazing. Also, at no point in the novel did I find myself asking what the characters were thinking because Clyde always made it clear. //Walking Across Egypt// was a book filled comedy. Mattie always kept me laughing with her innocent and forgetful nature from the start of the book when she fell through the chair, to when she becomes Wesley's "grandma." As much as I did like reading this novel, I felt that this book was lacking some key features that could really have set it over the top. I felt that certain parts of the story were repetitive and didn't lead to anything, and I found this to be irritating and quite boring. I also felt that Mattie's innocent and forgetful nature, although humorous at times, became to overpowering later in the book. This book did have some flaws but I enjoyed reading this book and felt that I have grasped the moral of the story: not to judge someone before we really get to know them.

Katherine Ham: As I was reading //Walking Across Egypt,// I was transported to a little town in North Carolina where an old woman named Mattie Rigsbee lived. She is a seventy-eight year old woman who cooks delicious food, plays hymns at the piano every night, and who refuses to keep a stray dog because she thinks that she is slowing down. I found it humorous how after some of the other characters in the book would say things, such as the neighbor Alora and Mattie's son Robert and daughter Elaine, that as soon as they finished speaking, Clyde Edgerton would add an insight into their minds by writing what they were really thinking. This really allowed me to know what some of the characters, who were not necessarily developed as well as some of the others because they came into the story at the end, were like and how they thought about certain events that were happening in the story. Edgerton's descriptions of the characters, events, situations, and best of all Mattie's home cooking were amazingly detailed in such a way that everyone and everything in the story seemed so real. I also think that this contributed to the book's ability to be very easily read. When Wesley came into the story, I knew at once that things were going to change. Although this is to be expected since he was a teenage delinquent, his character added a lot to the story. His character showed us how truly faithful Mattie was to the teachings of the Bible and how even if she was in danger, she was still going to help Wesley have the life that he was never able to have. All in all it was a good book that did an excellent job of capturing the reader into the innerworkings of a small town. The ending may not have had a specific ending, but Edgerton left it so that the reader could have the enjoyment of continuing the adventure that began the moment Mattie met Wesley and progressed even further when she decided to adopt him.

William Vingi: As a whole I enjoyed Walking Across Egypt although I can’t say that Clyde Edgerton’s book will be one of my favorites. The characters in the novel did have potential to be comical but I feel that the way he wrote took away from their humor. I am not saying that I didn’t find anything funny; for instance, I thought it was funny that Mattie couldn’t bear to miss “All My Children” because I have a grandmother that you can’t even have a conversation with if her show is on. Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the realistic personalities of all the characters, when you read about a person in the book you had a very clear picture of him/her in your mind. As for the plot of the novel I thought that it was put together nicely with plenty of twists to keep you reading but I was disappointed at how abruptly it ended and also how the dog seemed to drop off as an important character throughout the book. After finishing the book I felt like it needed something more and that if Edgerton was going to end his novel so suddenly perhaps should have considered a sequel. However, there were more parts I liked in the book than ones I didn’t so I have to say I enjoyed it; also it was a short story that was a quick read and I’ll take that over a long boring book any day.

Layne Mather: Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt is both an enjoyable and easy read. It is the story of an old widow, Mattie Rigsbee, and her many adventures as she grows older. She thinks her life is "slowing down", until a young juvenile delinquent named Wesley enters her life. There were many features of the book that I liked. First, Edgerton did a wonderful job in describing the many characters, the setting, and the foods in his story. I loved how all of Edgerton's characters had different quirks about them, which made them even more realistic. Even the minor characters, such as Beatrice, were described thoroughly. Another great aspect of the book was the plot. Edgerton was able to keep the reader's attention all throughtout the book, and it kept me guessing what was going to happen next. Although it was a fun book to read, I felt like the story finished too quickly. Edgerton spent too much time on short, funny stories, rather than on the main plot. For example, the story about Robert falling through the ladder and then getting stuck was humorous, but it wasn't imporant to the overall story. Also, I wished the ending had been a little more exciting like the rest of the book had been. It left me bored and disappointed. However, I am very glad that I chose to read Walking Across Egypt.

Evan Love: //Walking Across Egypt// was an easy book to read which was one of the reasons why i enjoyed it soo much. Cylde Edgerton really made this book comical by adding in funny little short stories. When i first began to read this book i thought to myself that this book had to be about the hardships that one encountered through a dessert. But to my relief Walking Across Egypt was non of the sort. The book was about a 78 yr. old widow named Mattie Rigsbee who was a nice down to earth women. Despite her old age she was able to cook, clean, and do common chores around the house, even though throughout the book she said she was "slowing down". Mattie Rigsbee encounters a stray dog on the back step of her house one day and decides to call the dog catcher. She says there is no way she can take care of it and in the next day or two she meets a nice man named Lamar. Lamar comes to the house and they become good friends for the rest of the book. After Lamar gets the dog he leaves his wallet. Mattie uses this as a good time to see whats happening in this mans life and this is when she discovers a man named Wesley. All the way to the end Mattie trys her best to help this criminal but in the end he is sent to jail. Despite the ending of this book and the wacky plot line this book was very enjoyable.

Ethan Zisk: Clyde Edgerton's //Walking Across Egypt// is as touching as it is entertaining. When old Mattie Rigsbee finds a stray dog on her back step, however much she wants to keep and care for it, she decides she must call the dog catcher to get the dog and keep it safe. When Lamar arrives to help her with the dog, it sparks a new friendship that would last for the rest of their lives. This friendship would lead to a new, more important, unlikely friendship. Mattie becomes close with a young "criminal" at a correction facility. When it turns out that the boy, named Wesley, escaped from the facility, he chooses to go to Mattie's house, for he loves her cooking and thinks that she might be his grandmother. What happens from here in their relationship is a touching story of love and hardship, in which the young and fairly innocent Wesley is caught one day after church at Mattie's house. Mattie gets him to stay as long as possible with her food, and before he departs, she reassures him that everything will be fine. This easy read by Clyde Edgerton keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, waiting for what will happen next from the minute the dog steps onto Mattie's property. I enjoyed reading //Walking Across Egypt// because it gave me the perfect mixture of emotion and excitement from start to finish.

Caralina Wonnacott: I thoroughly enjoyed Clyde Edgerton’s Walking Across Egypt. Though the plot seemed slightly outrageous, I found the book entertaining and the characters similarly amusing. Mattie Rigsbee’s independent and determined personality really carved out the nature of the book. Though Mattie continually used the phrase ‘slowing down’ to describe herself, I did not for a moment believe that to be the truth. While hilarious, the rocking chair incident, the choir debacle, and many other odd situations occurring throughout the novel seemed almost too shocking to be accurate. Therefore I believe the saying “truth is often stranger than fiction” describes this narrative perfectly. The scene where Mattie and her sister, Pearle, traveled to the funeral home to sort out their ‘arrangements’ was definitely one of my favorites. Especially when Pearle refered to one of the caskets as a convertible. My least favorite character was Alora. Although perfectly portrayed as the town gossip, I found that her worrying often caused more harm than good and was just generally annoying. Regardless, I would absolutely recommend this book to everyone!

Dirk Gadsden: On the surface //Walking Across Egypt// was a delightful romp that ended too soon. The characters were crafted precisely and almost perfectly fit their respective stereotypes, and example being Alora, as Caralina mentioned above. But when I think about the book in the big picture, its two main drawbacks become apparent: its brevity (Around 2 hours spent reading) and the very static nature of the characters. While Wesley, Mattie, Lamar, and the rest were well made and hilarious to watch, I felt that overall development of the characters was far from dynamic. Wesley, who you would expect to change dramatically throughout the story, as Mattie exerted her positive influence on him, actually made little improvement from the thief that the prison had made him. And while the book does raise a few interesting questions about stereotyping, being judgmental, and the influence of people's surroundings on their personality, it fails to provide more than a dramatic, yet shallow plot that would fit perfectly into a modern soap opera. //Walking Across Egypt// was exciting and entertaining, but it failed to become anything more.

Dane Derbyshire: Upon finishing Walking Across Egypt, I found that I had mixed feelings about the book. One of the strengths of the book was Clyde Edgerton's development of Mattie as a character. As the reader, I felt as though I truly knew Mattie and in many ways she seems to embody the typical grandmother. At first I was annoyed at the amount of detail used in describing Mattie's cooking and household chores. However, by the time I finished the book I realized that these household tasks took up most of Mattie's life and the detail with which they are described makes you further understand how Mattie takes pride in how precisely executed each chore is. Also, while reading the book I felt as though all of the supporting characters such as Lamar, Wesley, Elaine, and Robert lacked depth and seemed as though they were the same at the end of the book as they were at the start. However, I soon realized how short a period of time this book covered and how unrealistic it would have been for Mattie's dreams of grandchildren and a church-going Wesley would have been. While some thought that the ending was unsatisfying, I believed that like many good authors, Clyde Edgerton crafted the ending beautifully so that the reader would be free to fill in the blanks and decide for for his or herself how everything would turn out for Wesley and Mattie. I believe that the book as a whole was somewhat cliche dealing with the changing of Wesley's ways, but I did find Mattie an extremely likable character that reminded me in many ways of my own grandmother.\

Victor Hyman: Walking Across Egypt was an easy and surprisingly enjoyable book to read. At the end of every chapter, the book lured me into wanting to know what will happen next. Clyde Edgerton displayed the theme of slowing down throughout the novel, and the difficulties Mattie Rigsbee had which she conquered. In the begging of the book Lamar Benfield, “the dogcatcher,” goes to her Mattie’s house to pick up a stray dog. Mattie doesn’t believe that she has the energy and the devotion to worry about someone, or something else, which foreshadows about something later in the book. Mattie’s character is thoughtful and she seems like she would be the epitome of a grandmother; she cooks well, form the book the reader can understand that she is soft spoken, and she also invites everyone she is friendly with to eat a meal with her. For instance, Lamar was helping her with the dog, and she invited him in for an afternoon lunch, and he kept doing chores for her, and her being sweet and thoughtful, invited him in over and over for meals. What changes the plot is when Wesley come into it. Lamar Benfield happens to have a young delinquent nephew named Wesley, whom at the time is residing in the RC. Wesley sends a note to his Uncle Lamar asking for him to sign some papers so Wesley can get out of the Correction Facility in a faster amount of time. Mattie being the intrusive yet graceful person she is, reads the note and finds out about Wesley. From this point on, Wesley come into her and Lamar’s life. Wesley, being the young and foolish person he is thinks that Mattie is his grandmother because she cares for him so much. I would have liked it if Edgerton didn’t end the book so abruptly because it left the reader thinking, “Now what?” Edgerton Is an extremely good noveltist, and even though this book was not putting me on the edge of the seat the whole time, I was reading it surprisingly fast because I am not the fastest reader. One last theme in this book was that now matter who you are you can always get a second chance.

Carissa Steichen: Overall, I found Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt to be an enjoyable book. While I was reading it, I didn't realize how fast the pages were passing by. Although this book is an easy read, the story keeps you interested at every moment. Edgerton's vivid descriptions brought Mattie's house to life and made me feel like I was right there in her kitchen. The story is centered around the life of Mattie Rigsbee, an old woman who is slowing down and lives by herself. When a juvenile delinquent named Wesley shows up in the story, Mattie's life is suddenly full of excitement. Mattie acts as a grandmother towards Wesley and eventually ends up adopting him. The abrupt ending to this book leaves the reader wondering how each of the characters lives will carry on after Mattie makes the final decision to adopt Wesley. Although Walking Across Egypt didn't take much time to read, I thoroughly enjoyed the full descriptions Edgerton wrote about. I especially liked the descriptions of Mattie's fantastic cooking. Also, this book was suspenseful and left me wondering what would happen every time I finished a chapter. Even though Walking Across Egypt is a short book, I'm glad I got to experience Edgerton's vivid descriptions in this bright and adventurous story.

AJ Beane: As those have said before me this was an easy book but still is interesting on every page. The author of Walking Across Egypt, Clyde Edgerton, has an appealing way to write this book with almost constant vibrant descriptions of the characteres in the story and of the environment around them. The main character a 78 year-old woman named Mattie Rigsbee is very self-suffient, especially for her age. The story shows she is an unconfident person because she sees a stray dog she calls the dogcatcher. She doesn't believe she could handle a dog at her age, but she still feels badly for it. Later in the novel Mattie comes across a letter that was from a juvenile deliquent Wesley that was to Lamar Benfiled which thrusts Wesley right into Mattie's life. He believes that Mattie is his grandmothert due to naivete, because she cares for him and feeds him. The book was already short, but the ending was pretty quick. We have no idea how it will end but that can be a good or bad ending based on the person. Some people like to guess and test all the possible ways a book could end while others like a concrete ending.

Ashton Phillips: I thought that //Walking Across Egypt// was an interesting book, although it was certainly unique. It did not follow the regular cycle of the plot. It had no true climax or rising or falling actions. It was basically the story of how an old woman lives for two weeks. As with many people, I am sure, I made a comparison between Mattie and my own grandmother. Both cook very well, live alone, are religous, and love having people over at their house to feed and entertain. But one thing that I noticed was that the story line was rather ironic. This woman, Mattie, was trying to slow down when the dog walks up to her back step at the beginning of the story. Since she does not want to have to care for a dog because she is "slowing down", she calls the dog catcher, thereby setting off the chain of events that does not slow her down, but rather speed her up. This dog catcher not only comes over time after time to eat her wonderful lunches, but thinks her to be his grandmother. Adopting Wesley certainly did not slow Mattie down. Despite this irony, I thought the plot was good and the book was a quick read.

Bailey Crump: I thoroughly enjoyed reading "Walking Across Egypt". Clyde Edgerton did a fantastic job with the imagery and vivid detail making the book come alive; wrapping you up in the story. Once I started I got hooked and before I knew it I was finished. You got to know the characters in intimate detail, getting into thier thoughts throughout the novel. Mattie is a religious, forgiving, yet intresting 78 year old woman. She has two children. Robert, a middle aged, single man and Elaine a middle aged feminist. Both children have failed to give Mattie grandchildren Lamar is a kind, well mannered dog catcher. He helps Mattie out of the chair she gets herself stuck in and takes away the dog that she can not take care of because she is "slowing down". Wesley,Lamar's nephew, is a 16 year old boy that was put in the YMRC for stealing a car. He escapes and goes to live with Mattie who he thinks is his grandma. Pearl is Mattie's sister and has the same humor as Mattie. Alora and Finner, Mattie's neighbors look after Mattie. Mattie has great relationships with all the charachters in the book, finding the good in anyone as a good the good christian she is, and makes noone feel like a stranger. Mattie reminded me so much of my great grandmother who is a fantastic cook and also piddles around before meals making sure everyone else is comfortable. I would definitly recommend the book. It was a very easy read yet interesting, humorous and eventful.

Sachin Abrol: Walking Across Egypt was surprisingly interesting even though the subject at hand did not intrigue me at first. The book was definitely very easy to read, and Edgerton did a great job of explaining all the small things that most books failed to do. Using his specific minutia, it brought life to the tale of this 78 year old woman. One thing that I liked about this book was how Mattie was so sincere and good-going and paired up with the thief, Wesley. When Mattie feels that Wesley needs help, she uses the Lord's advice and tried to guide Wesley. I thought that it was quite interesting in how Edgerton structured the story. It was not the generic Rising action/Climax/falling action, but more of a memoir of life. I liked how Mattie showed some Round characteristics. She was not willing to adopt a dog, but found it in her heart to adopt and train a young boy. The theme was very important, that anyone, whether it be a criminal or not, can be trained with a little help from society. One thing I disliked about the book was how characters other than Mattie/Wesley were not developed enough to become important. Edgerton has at least created a very interesting story that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Hudson Worthy: Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt, was a very entertaining read about a 78 year old widow named Mattie Rigsby who becomes attached to a young orphan named Wesley who is a very troubled and is serving time in Juvenile Detention for car theft. This book was very slow in the beginning but when she meets Wesley this book became hard to put down. One morning Mattie came upon a stray dog on her porch and being the good helpful Christian she is, feeds the dog while she realizes that she is 'slowing down' and can not care for a stray dog. She calls the pound to pick the dog up. After she calls the pound she accidently gets stuck in an old rocking chair in her home. Luckily for the dogcatcher, named Lamar, who came to pick up the dog helped her out of her chair. Being the kind, well-respected widow that she always has been she asks Lamar to come over for lunch and Lamar does not refuse. During their lunch, Lamar brings up Wesley who is his nephew. Mattie goes to the Pre-penitentiary to meets this young boy because she feels like she can help him. After one visit, Mattie becomes attached to this young boy and really finds some good in him. Wesley soon escapes the RC and comes to Matties. Mattie not knowing Wesley is all over the news for escaping jail, she lets him stay at her home. The two become very close over a matter of just a couple of days and Wesley really feels at home and even calls Mattie Grandma. I think Mattie begins to realize that she is not slowing down as much and Wesley brings out the young side thats still left in her. Clyde Edgerton does a great job in describing the characters in this book and he even does an excellent job in describing the minor characters like Mattie's neighbors. I felt like there was a quick ending but it ended happily so i liked the book and i would recommend it to all ages.

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Leah Guest: When I read //Walking Across Egypt// this summer, I was pleasantly surprised to find it an enjoyable book that I was able to get easily absorbed in. Clyde Edgerton did a fantastic job at describing the characters so the reader can really picture them in their head. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Mattie, Wesley and even Beatrice very well. Mattie Rigsbee, a seventy-eight year old southern belle, strongly believes she is "slowing down" and nearing the end of her life. Nevertheless, she gets voluntary help from many people in exchange for her southern, home-cooked meals. One of these encounters includes a dogcatcher, Lamar, who is very different from his nephew, Wesley, a juvenile delinquent. Mattie and Wesley become very close after he escapes to her house for refugee. He keeps her life going and sort of keeps it going instead of it slowing down. After the police chase him down, Mattie agrees to become his legal guardian to keep him out of the YMRC. Edgerton does a great job portraying the characters in this book and showing readers how much people can change each others’ lives.=====


 * __Taylor Barber__**: When I first started reading Walking Across Egypt, I thought it was going to take a long time because I wasn't particularly drawn into it, but as I got farther and farther into the book it got better and better and became an overall easy read. The book is based off the two main charcters Mattie, who is 78 years old, and Wesley, who is sixteen years old. Mattie is an old widow who stays in her house and cooks all the time. She is well respected by her neighbors and friends at the church. Wesley has no upbringing and is a trouble maker at a young age and is sent to a "pre-penitentiary" where he has spent all of his younger years. One day Mattie is visited by a stray dog that sits on her porch, but she believes she is too old and has too much going on to keep it, so she calls the pound so they can pick it up. While waiting, she gets stuck in a chair which leads her to meet Lamar, who helps her get out of the chair. Lamar is the uncle of Wesley and he tells Mattie about Wesley during one of their lunches together. Mattie then becomes curious and gives Wesley a visit at the penitentiary, where they meet a few times. Finally one night, Wesley and his closest friend in the penitentiary escape, and he goes to Mattie's house where she begins to take care of him. In the end, the cops find Wesley and take him back to the penitentiary, but he is soon released into the custody of Mattie who adopts him. The main theme that I got out of the book is that you should always keep your faith in people no matter if they are a criminal or not. Mattie shows that she can help Wesley through all his troubles even though everyone else is against it.

MacGregor McGehee: While I was reading the first few pages of the novel //Walking Across Egpyt// I felt like I had made a poor choice. Contrary to what I first thought, I ended up enjoying this book much more than I had anticipated. It's plot line strayed from the typical plot line to which I am accustomed. It had no significant rising action, climax, or resolution. I enjoyed this change. Each page drew me in a little bit further. It was a quick read, but established an important theme: keep your faith. The prime example that supports this theme is how Mattie, despite adverse cirumstances, kept her faith in Wesley. Soon I had become fully engaged in the later events of Mattie Rigsbee's life. Mattie was becoming unsure of herself in her old age (78). She did not feel like she had the ability to take care of the poor, stray dog that had wandered to her house. Therefore she called Lamar Benfied, the "dog catcher." This phone call triggers the main events that occur in this book. Mattie soon discovers Wesley, Lamar's delinquent nephew who is suddenly a key part of her life. Mattie visits Wesley in the penitentiary in which he is stationed. She sees true potential in the boy, and believes he can be changed into a gentleman. Soon enough, she gets the chance. After Wesley's escape, he ends up on her doorstep looking for a place to stay. Mattie showed true hospitality as she let Wesley stay in her home. After a few days, the police find Wesley, and take him back. This is the point in the book where Mattie shows true courage, and she takes the serious step of adopting Wesley. In my opinion, each character in Walking Across Egpyt has his or her own disctinct personality, and all of the characters are clearly estabished individuals. At the end of the book, I felt like the character's' personalities had remained static (besides Wesley and Mattie, who show some hint of change towards the end.) I then realized that the length of the plot was only a brief period of time, not leaving much room for characters to change. I feel like this book had an abrupt ending, but it leaves the reader room to assume his/her own ending. Walking Across Egpyt was an excellent piece of literature, and I enjoyed it.

Kim Koon: Clyde //Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt// was a light, entertaining, and amusing summer read. The life of Mattie Rigsbee, an elderly widow who constantly beleives she is "slowing down," is turned upside down when the ex-convict teen Wesley enters her life. Wesley, all along thinking this old woman is his grandmother, escapes from the RC and pleads for Mattie to take him in (because all other means of escaping have fallen through and he likes her cooking.) Even after a heated chase by the police in which Wesley disguises himself as a singer in the church choir, steals Harvey Odum's LeBaron, and finally plays sick in hopes to escape the hands of the law, Mattie still sees the potential of a good, christian, boy in Wesley and agrees to take him in. //Walking Across Egypt// is much of a satire on Christianity. Although one of the main doctrines of the Christian faith is to love neighbors as ourselves, all of Mattie's fellow church people will have absolutely nothing to do with Wesley. They, on the other hand, are disgusted and frightened of him. Mattie, who playes the role of the "Good Samaritan" is looked upon as crazy by her so-called fellow Christians for even associating herself with such trash. As for the ending of the book, I was a bit dissapointed. Finally after much contemplation, Mattie signs the guardian papers and takes Wesley in. The last scene, Mattie at the breakfast table with Lamar, leaves you hanging and wanting to know more. I guess we all have to come up with our own ending on how life with Wesley turns out for Mattie.

Stanton Seckinger: Upon hearing the plof of Clyde Edgerton's //Waking Across Egypt//, I was not sure how exciting and interesting this book was going to be. As I read on, it became a very enjoyable read that was quite easy. The book is about an old lady by the name of Maddie Rigsbee who is 78 years old and lives by herself. Maddie's life is on the decline and little did she know it but it was getting ready to spike back up with excitment. This happens when a young man by the name of Wesley who is an escapie from the RC comes into her life and really attaches to Maddie for her food, hospitality, and his belief that she is his grandmother whom he has never met. Maddie meets Wesley through a dog catcher who is Wesley's uncle that she calls to retrieve a dog that has felt the same hospitality and tasted the same great food that Wesley would eventually be atrtracted to. Though this book was not the greatest book I have ever read, I feel that Clyde Edgerton did a great job taking a plot that doesn't sound too interesting and making it a pleasant and enjoyable read. I would not suggest this book to anyone who is looking for an action packed book that will keep you on your feet, but this book would be excellent if you were just looking for a story to slowly work through during your break of summer.

Annie Hay: When I first started reading Walking Across Egypt, I thought it was going to be slow and boring. As I read I found that it was easy, entertaining and the pages seemed to fly by. Edgerton's vivid descriptions helped you picture Mattie's wonderful personality and make you want to taste her delicious food. The main character is Mattie, a 78 year old woman who is an excellent cook and very well known in her church and neighborhood. Mattie finds a dog on her porch one afternoon and calls the dogcatcher because, she is getting old and doesn't have the time to keep a dog. When Lamar, the dogcatcher, comes to pick up the dog he finds Mattie stuck in a rocking chair. After Lamar gets Mattie out of her chair, Mattie invites him to lunch for some of her delicious food. Lamar mentions his nephew Wesley that is in the RC, and Mattie decides to visit him. Mattie being one of the few visitors he ever has, makes him believe that they are related. When Wesley escapes, he comes to Mattie's house because he still believes she is his grandmother and he wants more of her amazing pound cake. All though Wesley is unappreciative and poorly mannered, Mattie becomes attached to him. Wesley causes Mattie's life that is slowing down to speed back up. The quick ending leaves you wondering and wanting more. I wanted to know if Mattie's decision to adopt Wesley was a big mistake or a good decision. Overall I am glad I picked this book and think it was a good summer read.

David Salley: Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt, gripped me from the very begining. I found it to be a quick and enjoyable read. I found myself wanting to read the book more and more as it went on. The book gives the story of a 78 year old, church going, woman named Mattie Rigsby. Although she is getting very old, she doesn't want to slow down. She still cooks all of the time and sometimes invites others over for lunch. Her slow life is abruptly sped up when she learns of a young boy from the RC named Wesley. When Wesley breaks out of the RC, she decides to try and help him by taking him into her home for a night, and bringing him to church the next morning. Wesley is rude and ungrateful the whole time, yet, Mattie develops a strange bond with him. The next day at church, the police find out that Wesley has escaped, and they raid the church looking for him. Eventually they catch him back at Mattie's house and take him back to the RC. A couple days after the incident, Wesley's uncle, the dog catcher Lamar, asks Mattie if she would be willing to house Wesley. Mattie, after some long thinking and praying, agrees. And the story ends with Mattie and Lamar sitting at her table discussing what Wesley will do when he finds out. I really enjoyed this book. The images that Edgerton gives are vivid, and really help you too see the story in your head as you read. I couldn't help but think of my grandmother as I read, and how she doesn't want to admit that she's "slowing down". Im really glad that I picked this as my Wiki book. It was one of the best summer reads that I've ever had.

Grace Barrett: Clyde Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt was an entertaining and easy summer read. I was surpirsed about how fast the book went by. While reading this book, I was intrigued and kept on guessing about what was going to happen next. Edgerton's description of the characters was done very well and I was able to imagine them visually. Mattie, the main character, was an elderly woman who was once an active citizen, but as she became older she was starting to slow down. When Wesley, a teenage convict, showed up at Mattie's home thinking that she was his grandmother; she was testd in her true values. Although their were no relations between them, by welcoming him in her home she changed her life. She became more active again. Although Wesley did not appreciate Mattie's hospitality as much as he should have, Mattie became attached to him. This novel was inspiring and it shows that anyone can be a "good" person. Overall I enjoyed reading this book and I am glad that I chose it for my summer reading.

Rishire Akabidavis: Walking Across Egypt was a very intgeresting book. It's about an old lady who enjoys doing things herself. She has a dog, but she called the dog catcher when she could no longer take care of it. The dog catcher is nice and helps her out of a chair when she falls. The dog catcher's nephew was in juvenile detention, but he broke out and stayed with the old lady. I don't want to ruin the whole story, for it is surely one that is a good read.

John Craver: Walking Across Egypt was a humorus tale of an old woman that is taken advantage of by the dogcatcher's nephew. The story is centered on Mattie, the old woman, who finds a dog one day on her porch. Mattie is a do-it-yourselfer is "slowing down." She decides that she can't take care of the dog and calls the dog catcher, Lamar, who ands up being a very helpful and kind man. His nephew, Wesley, however, is a juvenile delinquent in the YMRC for stealing a car. He claims that he didn't do it. Wesley breaks out of the YMRC and stays at Matties house planning to rob her. MAttie takes him in because she is trying to do her Christian duty. After a bizzare police "chase" in which Wesley is apprehended, MAttie decides to become his legal guardian so that he can stay out of the YMRC. Mattie's two kids, Robert and Elaine, disapprove and think that she is going crazy. That is pretty much the book. It was a light read, but very short. The plot was quite odd, but it was al-in-all a good book.

Win Lipov: Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton was a nice, entertaining, and enjoyable read this summer. Mattie Rigsby felt like her life was slowing down. Although she felt like this, her life was about to take a big turn. Once she decides that she is unable to take care of her dog she called the dog catcher to help her out. Lamar, the dog catcher has a nephew, Wesley, who plays a major role in this book. Wesley a juvenile delinquent stole a car. Wesley escapes from YMRC (the prison) and stays with Mattie for the night. She ends up taking him to church in the morning and becomes close with him. Wesley finds himself in a police chase and is taken. Mattie then decides to become Wesley's legal guardian so that he could stay out of prison. Mattie ends up adopting Wesley. Edgerton did a great job in this book describing each character and using imagry. At first I didn't think that I was going to enjoy this book, but by the end I really felt like it was a good read.

Jack Meadors: Clide Edgerton's Walking Across Egypt was an extraordinary book. Although i didn't originaly plan on read this book, im glad the book store didn't have my first choice. I began reading the book with the notion that the pages would turn slowly and i'de be almost bored to tears, but it was a pleasant surprise to find out otherwise. The main character is a 78 year old woman named Mattie Rigsby who is "slowing down." She is a self- reliant lady that doesn't want to believe that she is slowing down. She does everything she used to do including mowing her lawn, and she loves to cook for anybody that will come to her house and visit. Mattie finds herself tangled up with a young boy named Wesley, a juvenile delinquent and son of the dog catcher. Wesley comes to stay with Mattie for a while after he escapes from the YMRC. She tries to chance him by giving him new cloths and cleaning him up. She even takes him to church one morning. Although the book didn't contain alot of action it certainly held my attention and was fun to read.

Mclean Coen: Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton was an interesting novel. However, I found the plot to be slightly boring and slow at times. I also didn't like the ending of the novel. I thought it left in indecisive feel when I put it down. I made it clear that Mattie was going to take Wesley, the juvenile delinquent, but the dog's future was left unclear. The protagonist is an elderly woman named Mattie Rigsby who feel she is "slowing down." She's an excelllent cook and is also very religious. She takes 16-year-old Wesley in on the basis that he is somehow Jesus Christ in her mind. She also plays religious hymns on the piano and attends church and sunday school every Sunday. Wesley is Lamar's nephew. Lamar first meets Mattie because he is the dogcatcher who comes to get a dog that Mattie called in. Wesley was put in the YMCR, a prision, for stealing a car. However, he claims to have been framed by another boy for the crime. Wesley believes Mattie to be his long lost grandmother, and tries to come and live with her. Mattie isn't fond of the idea of Wesley living with her at first, but she quickly warms up to the idea of shaping him up herself. Mattie also has a personal quest to have grandchildren. She is constantly refering to sperm and her two children (Robert and Elaine) are constantly questioned about marriage. All together i thought Walking Across Egypt was not entertaining and not a book i would reccomend.

Suzanne Trivette: Walking Across Egypt, by Clyde Edgerton, was a short but entertaining book. It is about Mattie Rigsbee, a very religious elderly woman who seems to always have a new adventure. During the beginning of the book, Mattie finds a stray dog at her doorstep. This leads to her falling through a chair and meeting the dogcatcher, and this leads to her later meeting his nephew Wesley who is in a facility for juvenile delinquents. Clyde Edgerton develops the characters in the book well, giving each of them very unique personalities. I also like how he switches to different characters' point of views, even though he is usually writing from Mattie's point of view. This makes some parts of the book more funny, as well as explaining how certain characters can see the same situation very differently. I also like the amount of detail in the book. The way characters and setting were described made me feel like I could actually see them. Walking Across Egypt had some very funny parts, and one of my favorites was when Mattie fell through the chair. This part was hilarious. One thing I didn't like about the book was that it ended too quickly, without having a good ending. The ending was somewhat weird and confusing, and the reader never finds out whether or not Wesley went to live with Mattie or whether or not she went back to get the dog. I also did not like how the dog, even though it seemed like it would become a big part of the book, was barely mentioned. However, I really liked Walking Across Egypt, and I would recommend it.