Answer
The answer is "Mr. Vertigo" by Paul Auster, published in 1994. The novel follows the journey of Walter Rawley, a man who embarks on a cross-country walk from New York City to San Francisco to escape his troubled past and find meaning in life. Auster's exploration of themes like identity, loss, and self-discovery through Rawley's introspective journey captivated readers, solidifying "Mr. Vertigo" as a notable work in contemporary American literature.