Evelyn in Transit

by David Guterson

Radically open-minded, formidably strong, and unusually clear-eyed about herself and others, Evelyn Bednarz has always been a misfit. She’s easily bored, unsuited to life at school, asks odd questions about faith and time, and sees through conventions others take for granted. Seeking to be true to herself, she hitchhikes across the American West taking odd jobs.

In distant Tibet, another life unfolds as remote from Evelyn’s as can be: the life of a boy named Tsering, raised as a Buddhist monk in the mountains of Tibet, who eventually becomes a high lama.

And yet, their lives are strangely linked—as Evelyn discovers when a trio of Buddhist lamas show up at her door to announce that her five-year-old son Cliff is the seventh reincarnation of the illustrious Norbu Rinpoche, recently deceased. The lamas’ visit sets off a family crisis and a media firestorm over Cliff’s future.

Written in a spare, precise style of extraordinary beauty, full of surprising humor and luminosity, Evelyn in Transit delivers much-needed insight and compassion about humanity’s strivings for transcendence, and what it might mean to “live the right way.”

Genres: Fiction, Literary Fiction, Buddhism

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication January 20, 2026

About the author

David Guterson is an American novelist.

Reviews

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is a good life? And how do you find it? Evelyn Bednarz is a seeker. Born in Evansville, IN, and raised a Catholic, she spends her childhood feeling like something is wrong, something's missing, something isn't right. She leaves home at eighteen and wanders, doing manual labor as she goes. At one point she carries a thousand stones to help build a Buddhist shrine on a mountain top. But even with this freedom to do what she pleases, she still feels something is missing.

Eventually she has a son she names Cliff and when he is five, Evelyn is told he is the seventh reincarnation of a Tibetan Buddhist lama. Evelyn's reaction? 'I just feel like, hey, if Cliff has the chance to live a spiritual life and grow up to be a spiritual person, that's worth checking into.'

In a parallel storyline, we get to know the sixth Norbu Rinpoche, Tsering, whose dream will lead his fellow monks to Cliff after his passing.

David Guterson notes that while his novel is a work of fiction, it was 'inspired in part' by actual events.

Although I also consider myself a seeker, this novel just wasn't for me. Perhaps I was hoping for some greater insights. It was at times amusing and the characters were interesting but the plot meandered rather like Evelyn in her odyssey.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Ryan Davison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is a virgin giving birth to the son of God more inexplicable than reincarnation? Does belief that barley meal placed in the mouth of the dead blesses the soul require more faith than trusting a priest can turn a wafer into holy flesh. These questions and many like it are addressed in David Guterson's sharply crafted novel Evelyn in Transit.

Evelyn Bednartz is a lunky, spunky girl, who steals pencils, enjoys roller derby and is a skilled swimmer. She gives a book report to her class at school, asks if there are questions, then calls them all punks and tells them she hates them. She works a paper route, cleans up at a fried chicken place, helps at an elderly home, picks fruit with migrant workers and spends a year at a Buddhist mediation retreat center. Evelyn is a content vagabond, meets all sorts and eventually becomes pregnant.

Our other protagonist, Tsering Lekpa, is also a special. Not only because he can read and write by age six, but because he is identified as the sixth reincarnation of an incredibly holy Tibetan lama. His future, once dependent on frozen yak meat and butter as a commodity more valuable than gold, explodes with opportunity. Tsering is able to explore the world with a previously unimagined freedom, eventually landing at the University of Washington to assist in translating Tibetan texts.

Evelyn’s child is exceptional but we will end the plot summation there so you discover why for yourself. This is a streamlined work of literary fiction, devoid of pretension but loaded with thought provoking situations. Gutterson has a knack for making the mundane remarkable and his writing style engages the reader with fast moving, loosely-connected sequences. Even when the plot functions like lists of activities, the writing is exquisite and depth is achieved with simplicity. Through Evelyn and Tsering, Gutterson highlights how youth raised in different belief systems can see the world through similar eyes and all traditions are equally suspect.

Evelyn in Transit is an easy novel to devour but with plenty of flavor to savor. Recommended to fans of lit fic, 70’s Americana and spiritual dilemmas.

Thanks to Edelweiss and W. W. Norton & Company for a review copy.

[Fresh Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 out of 5 stars

David Guterson’s Evelyn in Transit is a novel that asks big questions through lived, messy lives. It is at once grounded in the ordinary and haunted by the extraordinary. The story follows Evelyn Bednarz, a restless and fiercely individualistic young woman, and Tsering Lekpa (also called Cliff), a child identified as a reincarnation of a high Tibetan lama.

Their lives intersect in unexpected ways, raising difficult questions about belief, faith, identity, and what it means to live “the right way.” Evelyn Bednartz herself is a misfit from Illinois, wandering through a myriad of jobs and circumstances, all in search of something authentic. She herself also raises a few questions—is a virgin birth possible? etc.

Tsering Lekpa/Cliff is an extraordinary child: precocious, kind of an anomaly because of his spiritual status. When Buddhist lamas claim that Cliff is the reincarnation of Norbu Rinpoche, a high lama, it changes his life—and that of many others. He himself, for example, is given opportunities he could never have fathomed from his life as a child living off butter and frozen yak meat.

The two tracks—Evelyn's wandering, her life on the margins of conventional belief—and Cliff’s glorious new life. Both tie to a powerful religious identity—are interwoven in a way that explores how different worldviews overlap, conflict, and sometimes mirror each other. Guterson’s strength here is how he juxtaposes spiritual belief systems without privileging one over the other, and examines both the comfort and the complications of belief.

Stylistically, the novel is spare, precise, and often beautiful in its simplicity. There’s a looseness to the structure—episodes in Evelyn’s life that accumulate rather than build in a conventional linear arc—but that looseness is part of the power. The small moments become luminous. The humor is dry at times, the observation sharp; nevertheless, the emotional stakes are deeply felt.

However, because of the episodic nature of Evelyn’s wanderings and the way the novel sometimes lingers on small scene after small scene, some readers might feel there is less momentum than expected. If you prefer tightly plotted narratives with strong forward propulsion, you may find it a little meandering. And if you like novels that take a firm stance or resolve spiritual issues, this one remains somewhat ambivalent. I assume that's intentional, but it still might frustrate readers who want more certainty. The novel is also a bit complex in that it involves Tibetan Buddhism, reincarnation, media scrutiny, and cross-cultural clashes. Some may also feel Guterson’s portrayal of religious tradition or spiritual authority could be more deeply rooted or nuanced, especially given the stakes.

Overall, however, in my eyes, Guterson treats everything he handles with respect and curiosity. Evelyn in Transit is a rich, contemplative novel. It’s ideal for readers who appreciate literary fiction with philosophical undercurrents. If you enjoy novels that linger in the interstices — between dogma and doubt, between homeland and wandering, between spiritual privilege and human fallibility — you’ll find much to savor here. And for all its spiritual and metaphysical questions, the book remains deeply human: awkward, messy, full of longing, hope, and sometimes humor. Guterson reminds us that even when traditions and beliefs seem irreconcilable, the human heart often walks the boundary.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Guterson is such a lyrical and beautiful writer and I will always remember reading "Snow Falling on Cedars" when I was in my mid-twenties, living in Hong Kong, and newly married. I was so happy to receive an advanced copy of Guterson's forthcoming novel, "Evelyn in Transit" and found that so much of the story resonated with my younger self. Evelyn desires to see more of the world beyond her Midwestern roots and heads to the West Coast and has a young child who opens her world even more.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book. I love Guterson’s prose. However, I just couldn’t connect with these characters or the connections between them. Although I could understand Evelyn’s need to figure out how, as a “misfit”, she could fit in, the story just felt disjointed - like a jigsaw puzzle that was missing a few pieces - but perhaps that was the point - most of our stories are missing a few pieces.

[Cathy O'c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting Journey
Evelyn in Transition is a unique novel, it took me longer than usual to feel immersed in this story. Shifting between Evelyn to the sixth lama named Norbu Rinpoche, I wondered how in the world this novel was going to bring those two cultures together. Like Evelyn's mother I knew more about llamas than lamas, so this book was an education. What kept me reading and rewarded me with a memorable conclusion was the unforgettable character of Evelyn. Evelyn is so real she creeps into your heart as she tries to find her purpose in life and place in this world.

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Guterson is best known for his debut novel, Snow Falling on Cedars, which, like most people, I loved. Over the years, I’ve read other of his novels like Ed King (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/...) and The Final Case (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/...) but have been less impressed. His latest book, Evelyn in Transit, was also not a page turner for me.

There are two storylines set in very different parts of the world. Evelyn Bednarz is born in Indiana. From the beginning she feels like a misfit. She’s tall and large and very physically strong. Restless and fiercely individualistic, she is unsuited to life at school. At the age of eighteen, she leaves home and travels across the American West, taking odd jobs and living life on her own terms. She becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son she names Cliff River Bednarz. The other story is set in Tibet. Tsering Lekpa, a young boy believed to be the reincarnation of a high lama, is taken from his home and raised as a Buddhist monk.

The two stories merge, two-thirds through the novel, when a trio of Buddhist monks arrives at the Bednarz home to announce that 5-year-old Cliff is the reincarnation of a high lama. Evelyn is forced to question whether she believes in reincarnation and whether she should relinquish her young son to a monastic life.

The ending is so predictable. First there’s the title. Then there’s Evelyn’s desire “to live the right way”; she says, “’from my earliest memories, I’ve felt like something’s wrong, something’s missing, something isn’t right.’” Her attitude to life seems to be that of a Buddhist: she’s detached and aloof, showing little emotion, and lives mindfully in the present, not needing to control the future. Her love of nature and her nomadic lifestyle can only be foreshadowing. Of course, if readers know little about Buddhist practices, they will not perceive the inevitable narrative direction.

I did not enjoy the narrative style. Evelyn and Tsering’s lives are described through a series of vignettes. This episodic style feels disjointed. And the predominance of short, simple sentences makes for tedious reading. In addition, there is little plot. For the longest time the plot just meanders: something happens and time moves on and something else happens. The lack of momentum means a lack of tension which means a lack of interest. The narrative just feels aimless, especially because the two storylines intersect late in the book.

Because of the style, much is not explained. For instance, the political situation in Tibet leading to Buddhist monks fleeing the country should be explained. Much of Tibetan culture and Buddhist tradition is described vaguely or left unexplained. It is by fortuitous chance that I just finished reading The Last of Earth by Deepa Anappara set in Tibet; this novel describes much about Tibet. Were it not for this reading, I would have been confused for large parts of Evelyn in Transit.

I’m afraid this slow-paced novel about spiritual quests was not for me.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via Edelweiss.

Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) or substack (https://doreenyakabuski.substack.com/) for over 1,200 of my book reviews.

[Genevieve Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson is a novel that is interesting in both form and content. It follows two parallel stories that touch thematically but don’t interweave in exactly the way most readers have come to expect. Evelyn Bednarz grows up in Illinois and goes to a school where the teachers are nuns. Tsering grows up in rural Tibet. He lives first with his family, and then with his uncle Samten until he is recognized as the reincarnation of Norbu Rinpoche and taken to a monastery for training. Both children question who they are and how they fit in. They are both curious and questioning, paying attention to their experiences and perceptions. Their experiences raise the questions of identity and belief that are central to the theme of the novel as well as to the unfolding narrative.

Evelyn is not a Buddhist, but her questions reflect concepts in Buddhist thought. Tsering doesn’t know if he believes in reincarnation or if he is indeed the reincarnation of Norbu Rimpoche, and so he often asks about these things. As David Guterson takes his reader back and forth between these two disparate lives, he raises questions about our human situation, our beliefs, and the choices we make.

The story itself twists and turns. Choices are made and fates altered. What remains central throughout are the observations being made and the questions being asked. Both protagonists choose to sit slightly apart and witness their own lives and the lives of others. Based on their observations, they make choices that reverberate far beyond their individual lives.

This is an excellent book for people who enjoy offbeat characters who ask profound questions. This is a book where the profound is discovered in the mundane and the mundane has profound implications. It has humor, and interesting characters, and the twists and turns of story, while hovering below the surface is an invitation to ponder the beliefs that shape our lives.

In addition, the Epilogue tells us that the author met both Evely Bednarz and her son Cliff and that pieces of this novel are based on real characters and actual choices made. While there is an air of unreality to some of the scenes in this novel, it purports to be grounded in the real and therefore invites us to look once again at our expectations.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for access to this ARC.

[Alesa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m very conflicted about how to describe this book. A lot of the time while reading it, I was thinking, “What the heck?” I mean, here is David Guterson, an author I admire tremendously (mostly because of Snow Falling on Cedars, writing what feels like a total mishmash — of plots, fiction vs nonfiction, styles, etc.

Let’s start with plots. There are two. One follows a Tibetan boy who is identified at a young age as a reincarnated lama, starts out studying in a monastery, and then leaves to roam around the countryside. Then there’s an extremely odd American woman who never fits in anywhere and bounces around the country doing odd (very odd jobs), who ends up with a child late in the book who is also identified as a reincarnated lama. Okay, now how do these stories relate? Well, after doing some research, I learned that the Tibetan boy came to America and became a teacher at the Tibetan Buddhist group in Seattle that the author belongs to. So he’s a real person. And he has the same name that Guterson gives him in the novel.

The American woman is loosely based on a real woman, whom Guterson thanks in the epilogue, but he has changed her name. And he has modified some of her story in what seems to be an amalgamation of several American boys who have been identified as reincarnated Tibetan holy men.

So why did he call this a novel if some characters are real, with their actual names, and others are not? And why have these disparate stories put together into one book? I was just shaking my head a lot of the time, trying to figure out what Guterson’s point was. But even at the end, it wasn’t at all clear. Or maybe I’m just not smart enough to have figured it out.

Then there’s the style. Big sigh. Why oh why did Guterson have to mimic Hemingway with all of the super short sentences, lack of careful explanation, and unexplained jumps between paragraphs? And so many short sentences, one after the other, in the same simplistic pattern (subject, verb, object). It got really annoying. But I soldiered on, hoping that there was something brilliant awaiting me at the end.

Maybe this book just went over my head somehow. I’ve read a lot about both Buddhism and Tibet though…

Overall, I felt like Guterson let me down on this book, which was disappointing, because I’ve been such a fan,

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Guterson’s new novel Evelyn in Transit opens with two children in very different worlds coming to the same realization. In Indiana, a girl named Evelyn climbs a tree, looks warily upon the “big view” from her perch, and thinks, “I’m alive. I’m separate from everything else.” Half a world away in Nepal, a boy named Tsering reaches the same insight from atop a pile of yak hides.

From there, the story follows their journeys into adulthood. A misfit and somewhat of a rebel, Evelyn leaves home to hitchhike around the Western United States taking odd jobs and doing migrant labor before eventually settling near her family with her young son Cliff. Tsering follows his destiny as the sixth reincarnation of a lama named Norbu Rinpoche; he studies with monks, becomes abbot of a monastery, and eventually travels to the US to teach and translate. Their paths intersect when lamas arrive at Evelyn’s home to inform her that Cliff is believed to be the seventh reincarnation of Norbu Rinpoche, leaving Evelyn with a major decision to make about her son’s future.

Guterson’s writing here is simply lovely. The narrative voice is a bit distant and the prose is spare, yet lyrical, with flashes of dry humor. He successfully strikes the balance he describes in his opening letter to readers: “on the one hand, a detached observer; on the other, driven by pathos.” A lot of the action happens between scenes and off the page, leaving readers to fill in their own interpretation of what happened and how Evelyn and Tsering are feeling. I found that my mind naturally filled the blanks with the emotion that wasn’t explicitly written on the page, which added depth to my reading experience.

At its heart, Evelyn in Transit is about a human searching for meaning and wanting to do what’s best for her son. In that way, Evelyn could be any of us. This is not the easiest book to read and interpret but it’s got a strong emotional payoff and will leave you reflecting on the nature of existence, spirituality, and how to “live the right way.” Evelyn in Transit would be a wonderful novel for book clubs to explore these questions and interpretations together.

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at http://www.fogfiction.com.

[Laura Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to W. W. Norton & Company and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on January 20th, 2026.

Writing: 5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot: 3.5/5

A beautifully written story that slowly winds its way through the process of transitioning new incarnations of a Tibetan Tulku — the “emanation of a realized being.” Two parallel narratives come together mid way through the book to cover the identification of the seventh incarnation of the Tibetan abbot Norbu Rinpoche. The first narrative follows Evelyn, a midwest misfit who travels the country doing odd jobs and questioning life, purpose, time, belief and perceptions. The other follows Tsering, a rural Tibetan who accepts his position as the sixth incarnation of the Rinpoche, while continuing to question the whole concept. These stories come together when Evelyn’s five-year old son is identified as seventh Rinpoche after Tsering passes away.

I enjoyed the philosophical nature of this book. The “action” in each story line is minimal, but it is accompanied by a deep and ongoing questioning on the nature of the world and one’s place in it. Unlike a lot of the literary fiction that I read, very little of this questioning thought is devoted to understanding one’s own internal machinations. Both characters appear detached to me, showing little emotion, worry, or planning for the future. Instead, each seemed to embody the “Be Here Now” tenet of Buddhism. This made the book (for me) more of an intellectual exercise, rather than an engaging story. The language was stellar, the characters interesting, but not engaging at an emotional level, and the story a little slow paced for my taste. However, it was certainly thought provoking which counts for a lot in my world. As an aside, the author’s note at the end made it clear that he had met Evelyn and her son, and that parts of this story were based on their experiences.

[Karen Axnick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a strangely engaging novel due to both its style and content. In many passages the writing seems like a stream of consciousness in describing everyday activities, thoughts, and dialogue. There is both beauty and humor reflected in the prose. It all adds up to an unusual and fascinating approach to an unconventional person’s life.

Evelyn Bednarz never felt like she fit in. Her perception of herself was that she was too large (in girth and height) and not attractive. As she describes toward the conclusion of the book, she always felt something was “missing,” which led to her nomadic lifestyle.

Woven into the storyline is the life of Tsering, a young Tibetan boy who is eventually recognized as the sixth incarnation of the revered lama, Norbu Rinpoche. The lives of Evelyn and the lama never directly intersect, until three lamas arrive on Evelyn’s doorstep announcing that her five-year-old son is the seventh incarnation. What ensues is an inquiry into beliefs (or disbeliefs) in reincarnation and the appropriateness of a mother relinquishing her young son into a monastic life.

It was a little challenging to get into the unusual rhythm of the writing and into embracing Evelyn with her unusual orientation to the world. The most interesting aspect was the surprise twist revealed in the epilogue.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

[Abdul Wahab]

Title: Thoughtful and Poetic, Though Occasionally Slow

Review:
“Evelyn in Transit” by David Guterson is a beautifully written, introspective novel that explores identity, love, and the quiet uncertainties of life. Guterson’s prose is elegant and thoughtful, filled with the kind of quiet observation that turns ordinary moments into reflections on meaning and change.

The story follows Evelyn, a woman caught between her past and future, as she navigates emotional transitions and personal discovery. The author captures her internal world with a poetic sensitivity that makes the narrative feel deeply human. It’s less about big events and more about subtle emotional shifts — something Guterson does extremely well.

However, the pacing can be uneven. Some sections feel drawn out, and readers looking for a plot-driven story may find themselves losing focus. The book shines more in its language and introspection than in its action or drama.

Despite that, “Evelyn in Transit” has a quiet power. It’s a reflective novel that invites readers to slow down, think, and feel alongside its characters. Fans of literary fiction, introspective writing, and emotional realism will likely appreciate it.

✅ Positive Points:

Beautiful, lyrical writing style

Deep emotional insight into the main character

Thoughtful themes of change, love, and identity

⚠️ Negative Points:

Slow pacing in several chapters

Lacks strong plot tension

May feel overly introspective for some readers

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn is unlike anyone she knows. She thinks and speaks with unabashed frankness and acts without fear or hesitation. Her story begins with her childhood and continues from there. Because she doesn't fear change, she moves quite undisturbed through to another location, job, whatever.

After Tsering is injured as a boy, he lives with his uncle, a devout Buddhist, so Tsering was educated toward becoming a monk in Bhutan. But Tsering, like Evelyn, was also in transit. He left his uncle and the monastery heading out on his own, eventually becoming a lama (Buddhist Holy Man, for lack of a deeper description).

When the two characters intersect, we feel both the inevitability and randomness of their transits.

David Guterson tells their stories in a series of vignettes. His language is plain and straightforward so the reader is free to make independent assessments of the characters. At first this seemed a bit awkward to me. It is written in a "just the facts" style. This turns out to be brilliant by offering us a more complete understanding of the characters than if he had used a different treatment. We become swept along with each story. Each vignette provides a unique window. I easily connected with both characters. Evelyn in Transit is a lovely read as the reader's thoughts are continually stimulated.

Reading Evelyn in Transit has inspired me to read more about Buddhism and the Dalai Lama though I already have some per some knowledge. The book is worthwhile, enjoyable and at times humorous. Definitely recommend. .

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, there was the realization that one is alive and separate from the world and everything in it. From this awareness grew the search for meaning, something eternal and beyond the transitory world and its concerns. Their search connects two characters from different times and places.

Evelyn was never at home in the world. She did not fit in, her body too tall and large, her spirit too restless. She rejected the traditions and values of the world. She became a wanderer, working odd jobs, as a caretaker, as a manual laborer hauling stones up a mountain where a Buddhist shrine was being built. Buddhism had always fascinated her. Along the way, she had lovers and a son, Cliff.

In previous times, the child Tsering was sent to live with an uncle who lived in retreat. A monk from the nearby monastery identified Tsering as the reincarnation of an important lama and brought him into the monastery to prepare for his position. In exile, he taught in America aided by his interpreter. After his death, there is a search for a his reincarnation in a child.

The book tells the tale of these two seekers, and finally connects them.

It is a quiet, internal search about the deepest questions in life. It is a thing of great beauty, a gentle earthquake that mirrors our deepest doubts and our quest to find the missing pieces that make us whole.

The novel is inspired by the lives of real people he has met.

Thanks to the publisher for a free book through NetGalley.

[Patricia Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to be good…
Evelyn in Transit by David Guterson is neither a spell-binding page turner nor a literary masterpiece. Instead, the author has given us a special story of one girl and her journey to “live the right way.”
Rejecting her Catholic and public/alternative school upbringing Evelyn travels around the country doing odd jobs and meeting odd people. She is determined to find what she feels is missing in her life and the lives of those around her. Inevitably, she becomes pregnant and returns to her family home. Guterson also follows the life of Tsering, a Tibetan boy as he becomes an important Lama. The two never meet but their lives will come together in a unique way.
In the foreword, Guterson writes that he was befriended by a Tibetan family with familial ties to a line of high lamas when he was young. The idea for this book came from that relationship and his own experience as a father of five.
Neither page turner nor masterpiece, Evelyn in Transit is poignant and funny, yet a study of everyday people in extraordinary circumstances. This book is recommended for those who try to be “good,” are humbled by the weight of raising children to be “good” and are looking for a great story about others seeking the same thing.

[Barbara Boyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had such high hopes for this book given others I've read by Guterson, but I struggled to immerse myself in Evelyn in Transit. The opening chapter of Evelyn's childhood left me annoyed because I found her unlikeable, and the paragraphs were disjointed, making me think the book was simply too experimental and over my head. I considered putting it down as DNF but wanted to give it time to develop and read forward. The chapters about Tsering had more purpose and flow. The glimpses into monastic life of the Buddhists drew me in and from the description, I knew the two stories would cross eventually, so I forged ahead to the end and overall, am glad I did.

There's no doubt about Guterson's skill as a writer; the descriptions are lovely, even poetic. It presents a collection of moments that when summed up create the lives of the characters. For most readers, this is probably a book that you either love or hate. If you enjoy literary fiction, it's worth getting through the first 20 percent or so as it improves and satisfies in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

#netgalley #evelynintransit

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unconventional book for consideration
EVELYN IN TRANSIT is not a book for everyone. It is a book for those who like to visit unknown places and unconventional people in their reading. It is a book for those who like to think about what they are reading, and have a discussion with others about some topics not normally on their radar screen. Maybe explore a bit of comparative spirituality. Or some existential issues dealing with parenting. The structure of this book reminds me of a collage. There are lots of snippets of things that happen to the main characters, but one snippet doesn't always lead to the next one, although the book does have a roughly linear trajectory. As such, while not long, it is a bit of slow read, with a lot to digest as you go from one section to the next. The chapters generally alternate between the perspectives of the two main characters. So, with these disclaimers for those who don't appreciate anything but a good traditional storyline, I will recommend it to readers who like such challenges and the rewards that they offer. Thank you to BookBrowse for the Advance Reading Copy.

[Jodi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never read this author before and maybe that is what left me a bit confused. Two parallel stories that touch thematically but don’t interweave in exactly the way most readers have come to expect. Evelyn Bednarz grows up in Illinois and goes to a school where the teachers are nuns. Tsering grows up in rural Tibet. He lives first with his family, and then with his uncle Samten until he is recognized as the reincarnation of Norbu Rinpoche and taken to a monastery for training. Both children question who they are and how they fit in. They are both curious and questioning, paying attention to their experiences and perceptions. Their experiences raise the questions of identity and belief that are central to the theme of the novel as well as to the unfolding narrative. I just couldn’t connect with these characters or the connections between them. Although I could understand Evelyn’s need to figure out how, as a “misfit”, she could fit in, the story just felt disjointed - like a jigsaw puzzle that was missing a few pieces - but perhaps that was the point - most of our stories are missing a few pieces. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

[Valarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how to review this book. It was such a different reading experience from any other book I have read recently.

The positives- The writing style really draws you in. It just floats along and you keep going along with it even if you don't completely understand what's happening. There are a lot of short, simple sentences, but somehow it worked.

I've always been fascinated by Tibetan Buddhism so those elements of the story were interesting to me and held my attention.

The negatives- This is essentially a plotless book. Yes, events happen and time moves along, but it was really meandering and more than once I asked myself, where is this going? The answer is nowhere.

Is this really fiction? The epilogue makes it clear it's about real people and basically their real stories, so I don't know. Maybe it's more of a biography?

I didn't hate this, but I didn't really love it either. I'm sure this will be a polarizing read. Thanks to the publisher and @netgalley for the ARC!

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn Bednarz has an epiphany one day that she’s unique; she’s separate from others, from everything else. Meanwhile in Nepal, a young boy, Tsering, has the same epiphany. From there flows two stories of two people going against the grain of what “normal” life for them should be with complied but interesting results.

First, the writing is splendid. Second, this is less of a novel and more of a philosophical exploration of the meaning of life and one’s place in it - so don’t expect action. Rather, the book seeks to understand how people choose to find the right way to live. And, there are moments of humor that add some levity to serious moments in the story. I liked Evelyn more than Tsering but neither grabbed me emotionally. Per the Author’s Note, he met Evelyn, so the book is based on a real person in part.

I would like to thank NetGalley and the publisher, W.W. Norton, for allowing me to read this charming book.

[Jamie Barringer (Ravenmount) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn, a girl who is bigger and taller than most girls her age, never has fit in, and always had a rough time as a kid. As an adult she spent years being nomadic and taking random jobs and roles as they became available to her. A very different child, in the distant mountains of Nepal, grew up knowing exactly what his role is, having been born the next Norbu Rinpoche. When his path crosses with Evelyn's the result leads to a choice Evelyn's family has a hard time accepting, let alone understanding.
This is a nice, short novel that brings up questions about belief, and the role of religion and faith in a person's life, and how people find meaning or peace, or whatever they feel they need to find in their lives.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the way the book was written. It was divided into sections for each of several characters. Within each section, the sentences were short, with the story told in an episodic way. It moved along well. Being inside Evelyn’s head was engaging, humorous, and, at times, sad. The monk’s sections were not as interesting to me. What was disappointing was the overall plot. I felt like I kept waiting for a climax in the story, but there never was one. I completed the book feeling like I had met some characters, and knew their stories, but I was missing the sense of satisfaction and completion I usually feel at the end of a book.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone who loves quirky characters, Evelyn in Transit offers the unforgettable Evelyn Bednarz, a large woman who asks large questions and lives life on her own terms. In a parallel narrative, we meet Tsering Lepka, a boy living through the Chinese invasion of Tibet, divined to be the reincarnation of a prominent lama. When Evelyn gives birth to a boy deemed Tsering’s reincarnation, she is faced with the largest questions of her life, requiring momentous decisions. In turns humorous and thought-provoking, Evelyn in Transit is an entirely original work.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to open a review with the word unfortunately, but unfortunately for this one I have to. This was a Do Not Finish for me, I got to 50% and finally had to give it up. I’m sure others may truly enjoy this story, but it was just way too far out there for me.
I could not get into nor follow along with Evelyn. I absolutely loved Snow Falling on Cedars and was expecting the same type of book, this wasn’t it. This is only my opinion, this book may be for you.
Comes in with 3 stars.
I thank W.W. Norton & Company along with NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Genna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a quiet, thoughtful story that makes you stop and think about identity, belief, and what shapes a person. Evelyn herself sticks with you. She’s introspective and real, even if the story drifts at times. The pace is slow, the plot not always clear, but the writing is beautiful, and the moments of reflection linger long after you put the book down. It’s not a page-turner, but it’s one you sit with and let settle.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Evelyn is an outsized character in search of meaning. She is meticulous and driven to make sense of the world. This is her journey from daughter to dog owner to mother to enlightened one. She faces some interesting situations and takes on ambitious challenges. She is also naive in the ways of the world, to a great extent, and this contrast makes her more compelling. While the pace is slow at times, the scenery and activities are described in detail, and the meditative pace suits the story.
The audiobook is well narrated. 3.75 rounded up.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @RBMedia, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook for review purposes. Publication date: 20 January 2026.

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

wildly unique and interesting story that is filled with meditative aspects and about a really unique event, an american kid being named the reincarnation of one of the lamas. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

[Maura Danehey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Evelyn in Transit is beautifully written, examining the depths of life and the power of how we live with intention. Recommend reading through the final sentence of the Epilogue, which hits with a beautiful pang.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am lost. I missed the point. I kept thinking it would make sense, but I never got there.
thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.