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Evelyn in Transit
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.”
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.”
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 20, 2026
138 people are currently reading
9872 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
October 12, 2025
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.
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.
December 27, 2025
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.
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.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2025
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.
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.
February 2, 2026
I picked up "Evelyn in Transit" feeling genuinely excited — I deeply enjoyed "Snow Falling on Cedars," and this was my first return to David Guterson’s work. It follows Evelyn on a journey that’s both literal and figurative but, unfortunately, I found myself struggling to come along for the ride.
While this book was a little difficult for me to sink into and engage with, I should mention that the same thing happened to me with "Snow Falling" — I actually abandoned that one halfway through, feeling disinterested, then came back a couple years later and absolutely loved it. Perhaps this is another case of the right book at the wrong time, and if I should ever give "Evelyn" another chance, it's very possible this pattern would repeat.
It's also worth noting that this felt like a definite shift in tone from "Snow Falling," although it's been so long since I've read his books that it may be consistent with his current style. I found the tone to be less pensive and the focus a little less purposefully meaningful. That said, the writing quality is strong, and this novel is likely to find its home with readers who like slower-paced literary fiction with philosophical undercurrents that invite contemplation.
Thank you to RBMedia, NetGalley, and David Guterson for an advance copy for honest review.
While this book was a little difficult for me to sink into and engage with, I should mention that the same thing happened to me with "Snow Falling" — I actually abandoned that one halfway through, feeling disinterested, then came back a couple years later and absolutely loved it. Perhaps this is another case of the right book at the wrong time, and if I should ever give "Evelyn" another chance, it's very possible this pattern would repeat.
It's also worth noting that this felt like a definite shift in tone from "Snow Falling," although it's been so long since I've read his books that it may be consistent with his current style. I found the tone to be less pensive and the focus a little less purposefully meaningful. That said, the writing quality is strong, and this novel is likely to find its home with readers who like slower-paced literary fiction with philosophical undercurrents that invite contemplation.
Thank you to RBMedia, NetGalley, and David Guterson for an advance copy for honest review.
March 13, 2026
I've loved some Guterson books (Snow Falling on Cedars, East of the Mountains, Our Lady of the Forest), but this one was not one I enjoyed. The main character appears to be autistic and this makes her a challenging character to animate; we see her as a child not able to communicate her feelings well and this continues into adulthood. The other story is about the person believed to be an incarnation of a famous Buddhist teacher; how the two stories connect is interesting, but not enough to save the book IMHO. Ho hum...
March 7, 2026
I struggled to get through this book. It felt choppy and disjointed. I think he was trying to send a bigger message of the interconnected natural of the world but it didn’t land. Torture to get through
January 29, 2026
Quick, poetic and disjointed on the multi-narrative surface, with strong philosophical undercurrents; perfect for those with a wandering spirit in search of the meaning to our human experience.
December 21, 2025
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.
March 9, 2026
Evelyn Bednarz is unusual, and has never fit in with her peers, her family or anyone else. She was born in Evansville, Illinois, raised as a Catholic, and constantly annoys others with her questions and unwillingness to conform. Once she leaves home at eighteen, she travels around, taking manual labour jobs wherever she stops, and even helps construct a Buddhist shrine on a mountain. She gets involved with a young man, and after they split up, she has a son whom she names Cliff. When Cliff is five, three monks show up on her doorstep and inform her Cliff is the reincarnation of a Tibeten lama.
Instead of being put off, or dismissing them, Evelyn thinks this could be interesting, and a chance for Cliff to grow up as a lama, so she picks up and moves them so he can be raised to fulfil his spiritual destiny.
At the same time, we're told of the life of the sixth Norbu Rinpoche, who is named Tsering. He lives as a lama, and one of his dreams is what leads monks eventually to Evelyn's door.
This is a quite, and unusual story. It simply told has moments of beauty and peace. And surprising moments of gentle humour. Author David Guterson treats Evelyn's seeking and curious wandering, as well as Tsering's life and attitudes, with respect, but Guterson never makes bold statements about anyone's choices, allowing one instead to appreciate the directions the characters' lives take and where their spiritual leanings lead them.
Though I enjoyed the prose, and the audio, which is narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan in quiet, soothing tones, I never fully resonated with the story.
Thank you to Netgalley, W. W. Norton & Company and to RBmedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
Instead of being put off, or dismissing them, Evelyn thinks this could be interesting, and a chance for Cliff to grow up as a lama, so she picks up and moves them so he can be raised to fulfil his spiritual destiny.
At the same time, we're told of the life of the sixth Norbu Rinpoche, who is named Tsering. He lives as a lama, and one of his dreams is what leads monks eventually to Evelyn's door.
This is a quite, and unusual story. It simply told has moments of beauty and peace. And surprising moments of gentle humour. Author David Guterson treats Evelyn's seeking and curious wandering, as well as Tsering's life and attitudes, with respect, but Guterson never makes bold statements about anyone's choices, allowing one instead to appreciate the directions the characters' lives take and where their spiritual leanings lead them.
Though I enjoyed the prose, and the audio, which is narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan in quiet, soothing tones, I never fully resonated with the story.
Thank you to Netgalley, W. W. Norton & Company and to RBmedia for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
February 7, 2026
Read my mini-review HERE.
April 1, 2026
Wow. I’m not even sure what to say about this book. I really liked it but there were times while I was both reading it and even finished it where I was puzzled about why I did. Not wanting to give any spoilers, I will sum up this book as a woman’s journey to find truth. That’s really simplistic. This book is definitely different. If you are looking for something similar to Guterson’s Snow Falling on Cedar, this is not the book. I do applaud him for the beautiful vivid writing in this novel which reminds me very much of The Journey to the East by Hermann Hesse.
Did Not Finish
January 18, 2026DNF @ 35%
I was looking forward to a slower, meandering tale that will lead me to insights and possible self-reflection moments. I’m not getting the feeling that this will be as fulfilling as I’m hoping for. DNFing for now, but may try again in the future.
Thank you to WW Norton & Company for the physical ARC and thank you to Libro.fm for access to the ALC!
I was looking forward to a slower, meandering tale that will lead me to insights and possible self-reflection moments. I’m not getting the feeling that this will be as fulfilling as I’m hoping for. DNFing for now, but may try again in the future.
Thank you to WW Norton & Company for the physical ARC and thank you to Libro.fm for access to the ALC!
December 8, 2025
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.
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.
September 20, 2025
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.
March 24, 2026
I really wanted to like this one, but I struggled to connect with it. Put it down a few times, but finished it.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
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.
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.
March 6, 2026
My Rating : ⭐⭐⭐
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐
The theme here is religion. In this book, we follow two stories, of two very different lives in different time periods (good luck figuring out what year we are in when literally anything happens - I think the only thing I’m sure of is that Evelyn was a kid in the 70’s? I’m still not too sure) We follow Evelyn, a girl larger in size than her peers, raised catholic, who is a very strange girl - maybe on the spectrum - that ends up running away from home and traveling the US doing odd jobs and meeting odd people. We also follow Tsering, a young Tibetan boy tapped by the Lama’s as a reincarnation in a line of reincarnations of an important member of Buddhist culture, and he then leaves his monastery and goes to the US to tour around the country answering questions about Buddhism. These two lives are completely separate until Evelyn's only son is tapped as the next incarnation of this same line, roughly 10 years after Tsering has passed away. (At this point - near the very end of the book - this was the first time I realized they were in different times, not just different countries). Overall, the premise of this book was interesting, but the execution was long winded and did not keep my interest. If I had not won this as a goodreads giveaway, I likely would have DNF’d this book at around 25%-30%.
What I Loved:
I feel I learned a lot from this book. I got more out of the non-fiction aspects of this book than I did the fictional story of it. There were also a handful of monologues and points made by different characters that I resonated with.
What I Didn’t Love:
This book was very disjointed. I had a hard time grasping the “when, where, and why” for a lot of this book. At no point did I know what year we were in, either of the character's age, or their reasoning for their actions. I feel this book would have been better if we were in first person, inside the minds of the two MC’s. There are so many points in this book where we’d just jump days/weeks/months/years and I wouldn’t even realize it. So many little stories of their lives that felt unrelated. I’m a fan of a linear story that is easier to follow, this book was difficult for me to follow along and understand to its full potential.
Writing: ⭐⭐⭐
What the author writes is good, deep, poetic, introspective. I just think it’s stretched out, drags, there’s a lot of unnecessary fluff that I ended up skimming whole paragraphs to get to the point.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2025
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.
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.
October 26, 2025
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,
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,
December 7, 2025
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.
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.
November 23, 2025
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to #RBMedia and #NetGalley for an advanced AUDIOBOOK copy of David Guterson's forthcoming novel -- #EvelynInTransit (due for publication on 1/20/2026.
I can really sum up so much about why I loved this book in two words: EVELYN BEDNARZ. She is a force of nature.
From our earliest introduction to her as a child, she is a standout, standalone girl who is her own person (which, socially, is for better and for worse). She is a strong (in both personality and physicality) and inquisitive child who matures into an even stronger and outspoken adult and never wavers from being exactly who she is (even if she has no idea what that may be at any given time). She greatly impacts the people she meets (her family, schoolmates, romantic partners, and eventually her son, Cliff, who takes on more importance in the latter portion of the book).
Simultaneously, we meet a young Tibetan boy named Tsering who transitions from a young Buddhist monk into a high lama over the course of the book.
I will not give away plot details (some are listed in the book's synopsis) but the novel follows each of these characters throughout their lives (their travels and adventures) and eventually brings the reader up to the modern day influence(s) of media and cultural opinion. It's pretty incredible how the plot propels forward through time and one of Guterson's gifts is his mastery of plot and language.
The novel had me reflecting on LIFE and the purpose of an individual human life (in how we impact one another). Following these characters so masterfully made it impossible not to think about consequences, coincidences, and miracles. I especially LOVED the very short epilogue. The book is expertly narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan and I think the #audiobook format allowed me to better follow the course of the story.
I finished the book a few days ago and have been reflecting back on aspects ever since -- always a good sign that's it's a keeper. Thank you!!
I can really sum up so much about why I loved this book in two words: EVELYN BEDNARZ. She is a force of nature.
From our earliest introduction to her as a child, she is a standout, standalone girl who is her own person (which, socially, is for better and for worse). She is a strong (in both personality and physicality) and inquisitive child who matures into an even stronger and outspoken adult and never wavers from being exactly who she is (even if she has no idea what that may be at any given time). She greatly impacts the people she meets (her family, schoolmates, romantic partners, and eventually her son, Cliff, who takes on more importance in the latter portion of the book).
Simultaneously, we meet a young Tibetan boy named Tsering who transitions from a young Buddhist monk into a high lama over the course of the book.
I will not give away plot details (some are listed in the book's synopsis) but the novel follows each of these characters throughout their lives (their travels and adventures) and eventually brings the reader up to the modern day influence(s) of media and cultural opinion. It's pretty incredible how the plot propels forward through time and one of Guterson's gifts is his mastery of plot and language.
The novel had me reflecting on LIFE and the purpose of an individual human life (in how we impact one another). Following these characters so masterfully made it impossible not to think about consequences, coincidences, and miracles. I especially LOVED the very short epilogue. The book is expertly narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan and I think the #audiobook format allowed me to better follow the course of the story.
I finished the book a few days ago and have been reflecting back on aspects ever since -- always a good sign that's it's a keeper. Thank you!!
January 22, 2026
Maybe we should call it the Harper Lee syndrome; you write one absolutely amazing novel. It becomes iconic, and then, nothing else ever works again. I hope that’s not what has happened to David Guterson, the author of Snow Falling on Cedars. For whatever reason, his new book, Evelyn in Transit, is a complete wash for me.
My thanks go to W.W. Norton, RB Media, and NetGalley for the review copies. This book is for sale now.
We have two protagonists, Evelyn and Tsering. Evelyn is a curious and somewhat oppositional child in Indiana; Tsering is in Tibet. We see their separate stories in the beginning, but the transitions are abrupt and I cannot find any emotional connection with either of them. Ultimately, they are connected within the story when a group of lamas (people, not llamas) turn up on the now-grown Evelyn’s porch to tell her that her kindergartener is the reincarnation of the Dali lama that has recently died.
The promotional blurb tells us that the story is written in “a spare, precise style of extraordinary beauty, full of surprising humor and luminosity.” I’ll vouch for the “spare” part; I think of it as a “see Spot run” style, reminiscent of early grade school reading texts. The humor and luminosity, however, have eluded me.
It might have helped to have more of an internal monologue, particularly for Evelyn; she did and said so many things that were surprising and inappropriate, and if I had a better handle on her motivation, she might have seemed more like a seeker and less like an antisocial outlier. Tsering was even worse.
I had access to both the audio and digital review copies; the reader did a competent job, but couldn’t save the narrative. I don’t think anyone could have. I can’t recommend it.
My thanks go to W.W. Norton, RB Media, and NetGalley for the review copies. This book is for sale now.
We have two protagonists, Evelyn and Tsering. Evelyn is a curious and somewhat oppositional child in Indiana; Tsering is in Tibet. We see their separate stories in the beginning, but the transitions are abrupt and I cannot find any emotional connection with either of them. Ultimately, they are connected within the story when a group of lamas (people, not llamas) turn up on the now-grown Evelyn’s porch to tell her that her kindergartener is the reincarnation of the Dali lama that has recently died.
The promotional blurb tells us that the story is written in “a spare, precise style of extraordinary beauty, full of surprising humor and luminosity.” I’ll vouch for the “spare” part; I think of it as a “see Spot run” style, reminiscent of early grade school reading texts. The humor and luminosity, however, have eluded me.
It might have helped to have more of an internal monologue, particularly for Evelyn; she did and said so many things that were surprising and inappropriate, and if I had a better handle on her motivation, she might have seemed more like a seeker and less like an antisocial outlier. Tsering was even worse.
I had access to both the audio and digital review copies; the reader did a competent job, but couldn’t save the narrative. I don’t think anyone could have. I can’t recommend it.
January 26, 2026
*** This is based on the audiobook - which i can't change the edition of ***
Evelyn in Transit is a quiet, meditative journey through the inner life of a woman adrift. Following Evelyn as she travels across the American West, the story avoids traditional action in favor of a "liminal" atmosphere—exploring the state of being between places, identities, and phases of life. As she moves through motels and bus stations, Evelyn acts as a ghost-like observer, interacting with fleeting strangers who highlight her own profound isolation and grief. It is a slow-burn study of a woman trying to process her past while suspended in the physical act of moving.
This is a quintessential "mood" book. Guterson’s prose is lyrical and evocative; he captures the lonely beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the sterile melancholy of travel with incredible precision. If you enjoy literary fiction where the setting is a character and the sentences are worth savoring for their own sake, there is much to admire here. It perfectly captures that specific, modern ache of belonging nowhere.
However, the book’s greatest strength is also its weakness. The pacing is incredibly slow, and because the narrative is almost entirely internal, it often feels like it's circling the same emotional drain without moving forward. I found it difficult to truly connect with Evelyn; her detachment from the world makes her feel distant from the reader as well. It’s a beautifully written, atmospheric read, but it lacks the narrative hook or emotional payoff to make it truly memorable. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon, but don't expect it to stay with you long after you close the cover.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Evelyn in Transit is a quiet, meditative journey through the inner life of a woman adrift. Following Evelyn as she travels across the American West, the story avoids traditional action in favor of a "liminal" atmosphere—exploring the state of being between places, identities, and phases of life. As she moves through motels and bus stations, Evelyn acts as a ghost-like observer, interacting with fleeting strangers who highlight her own profound isolation and grief. It is a slow-burn study of a woman trying to process her past while suspended in the physical act of moving.
This is a quintessential "mood" book. Guterson’s prose is lyrical and evocative; he captures the lonely beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the sterile melancholy of travel with incredible precision. If you enjoy literary fiction where the setting is a character and the sentences are worth savoring for their own sake, there is much to admire here. It perfectly captures that specific, modern ache of belonging nowhere.
However, the book’s greatest strength is also its weakness. The pacing is incredibly slow, and because the narrative is almost entirely internal, it often feels like it's circling the same emotional drain without moving forward. I found it difficult to truly connect with Evelyn; her detachment from the world makes her feel distant from the reader as well. It’s a beautifully written, atmospheric read, but it lacks the narrative hook or emotional payoff to make it truly memorable. It’s perfect for a rainy afternoon, but don't expect it to stay with you long after you close the cover.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
October 26, 2025
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.
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.
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October 18, 2025Title: 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
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
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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. .
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. .
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was really an interesting read and very thought provoking. This book was outside of my normal novels and I am glad that I read it.
Synopsis: The story is told from 2 unique perspectives: Evelyn Bednarz and a monk named Tsering. Evelyn had been labeled as a trouble maker and a misfit in school and home and hitchhikes across the American West taking odd jobs as a young adult.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, Tsering has been raised as a Buddhist monk in the mountains of Tibet, and becomes a high lama.
Fast forward a number of years and the two seemingly unrelated stories become oddly 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.
This author’s writing style is very different than my usual reads, so it did take me time to get used to style and rhythm of the writing. It is was well worth it as this unique story had me thinking about this book long after I read it.
The book makes you ponder the right way to live your life as well as some Buddhist concepts that I do not normally think about. This is a book that you have to take your time reading and thinking about. I also enjoyed the epilogue and did not forsee the ending although maybe I should have!
Thank you to David Gutterson and W.W. Norton for a copy of this book. Evelyn in Transit publishes on January 20.
Synopsis: The story is told from 2 unique perspectives: Evelyn Bednarz and a monk named Tsering. Evelyn had been labeled as a trouble maker and a misfit in school and home and hitchhikes across the American West taking odd jobs as a young adult.
Meanwhile, in Tibet, Tsering has been raised as a Buddhist monk in the mountains of Tibet, and becomes a high lama.
Fast forward a number of years and the two seemingly unrelated stories become oddly 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.
This author’s writing style is very different than my usual reads, so it did take me time to get used to style and rhythm of the writing. It is was well worth it as this unique story had me thinking about this book long after I read it.
The book makes you ponder the right way to live your life as well as some Buddhist concepts that I do not normally think about. This is a book that you have to take your time reading and thinking about. I also enjoyed the epilogue and did not forsee the ending although maybe I should have!
Thank you to David Gutterson and W.W. Norton for a copy of this book. Evelyn in Transit publishes on January 20.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thanks to W. W. Norton & Company, Recorded Books, Inc., David Guterson (author), Edelweiss, and Libro.fm for providing an advance digital review copy and an advance listening copy (narrated by Alyssa Bresnahan) of Evelyn in Transit. Their generosity did not influence my review in any way.
Firstly, the audiobook narrator is fantastic. She had 218 audiobooks credited to her when I did a Google search, and I can tell by the absolute boss job she did here that she enjoys her job.
In the novel, which can be seen as a collection of interconnecting stories, Evelyn 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. She convinces herself that she needs to hitchhike across the American West and take odd jobs along the way. 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. He has his own quirkiness, and eventually becomes a high lama. How do these two lives interact? Well, one day a group of lamas knock on Evelyn’s door and announce that her 5 yr old son is the 7th reincarnation of the illustrious and recently deceased Rinpoche. I mean, what do you do about that?
How far will someone go to find purpose? How do we live the right way? What is the meaning of life? What do we owe to ourselves and to each other? These and other questions are posited and sort of answered here, often in a funny but deadpan way. 3.75 stars
Firstly, the audiobook narrator is fantastic. She had 218 audiobooks credited to her when I did a Google search, and I can tell by the absolute boss job she did here that she enjoys her job.
In the novel, which can be seen as a collection of interconnecting stories, Evelyn 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. She convinces herself that she needs to hitchhike across the American West and take odd jobs along the way. 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. He has his own quirkiness, and eventually becomes a high lama. How do these two lives interact? Well, one day a group of lamas knock on Evelyn’s door and announce that her 5 yr old son is the 7th reincarnation of the illustrious and recently deceased Rinpoche. I mean, what do you do about that?
How far will someone go to find purpose? How do we live the right way? What is the meaning of life? What do we owe to ourselves and to each other? These and other questions are posited and sort of answered here, often in a funny but deadpan way. 3.75 stars
January 20, 2026
“Evelyn in Transit,” by David Guterson, W. W. Norton & Company, 256 pages, Jan. 20, 2026.
Evelyn Bednarz is a single mother of a son, Cliff, 5. As a child she was easily bored, unsuited to life at school, asked odd questions about faith and time, and saw through conventions others take for granted.
When she graduated, Evelyn hitchhiked 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.
Evelyn’s and Tsering’s lives are strangely linked. Three 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.
The novel’s format of short sentences and unexplained jumps between paragraphs is really annoying. If you prefer tightly plotted narratives, this will seem very disjointed to you. Even at the end the story wasn’t clear to me.
David Guterson is best known as the author of the bestselling novel “Snow Falling on Cedars” which is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, I really struggled with “Evelyn in Transit,” and can only rate it three out of five stars.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a review.
Evelyn Bednarz is a single mother of a son, Cliff, 5. As a child she was easily bored, unsuited to life at school, asked odd questions about faith and time, and saw through conventions others take for granted.
When she graduated, Evelyn hitchhiked 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.
Evelyn’s and Tsering’s lives are strangely linked. Three 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.
The novel’s format of short sentences and unexplained jumps between paragraphs is really annoying. If you prefer tightly plotted narratives, this will seem very disjointed to you. Even at the end the story wasn’t clear to me.
David Guterson is best known as the author of the bestselling novel “Snow Falling on Cedars” which is one of my favorite books. Unfortunately, I really struggled with “Evelyn in Transit,” and can only rate it three out of five stars.
In accordance with FTC guidelines, the advance reader's edition of this book was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for a review.
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