Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Back Roads by Tawni O'Dell ISBN: 0-451-20234-1 Publisher: Signet Pub. Date: 02 January, 2001 Format: Mass Market Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.94 (295 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Heartbreaking, disturbing and downright awesome
Comment: After reading the reviews, it would appear that this book evoked strong feelings, both positive and negative, from its readers. From that standpoint alone it is a success. Even those who hated it were profoundly affected. There was little indifference. I am in the category of those who loved it. It didn't start out that way. Oh, there was no doubt that O'Dell's writing was magnificent, almost poetic. Nor was I bothered by the disturbing subjects of incest, murder, statutory rape. One reviewer asked why we need to read about these things. Because they exist, and burying our heads in the sand is not an option. I just couldn't make a connection with the book, even though I acnkowledged the gorgeous writing, and found the characters well developed and interesting. But something happened halfway through the book. I can't really figure out what it was, but suddenly I became deeply and emotionally drawn to the story and its characters. I couldn't put the book down. Harley, the protagonist of the story, evoked such strong maternal feelings (I am the mother of a 17 year old and a 20 year old, both girls) because he was a young man in pain, with no one to turn to, and with such overwhelming responsibilities to his sisters. He seeks love with the mother of his younger sister's best friend. His father is dead and his mother is in prison for his murder. And he is only 19. For the rest of the book, I found myself alternately laughing and weeping. Some reviewers have complained that there is no humor in the book. It is subtle, and of course muted by the disturbing subject matter of the book, but it is there. I literally went from feeling the book was OK but not extraordinary, to realizing that it was one of, if not the, best book to come down the pike in a long time. Harley and his sisters, Jody, Misty, and Amber, will stay with me for a long time. Don't read this if you are uncomfortable with controversial subject matters. But if you are not, you will be depriving yourself of a most remarkable experience if you don't read it. I am far from an Oprah fan, and her endorsement had nothing to do with my decision to read this. So whether or not you like or don't like Oprah, leave her out of the equasion. This book stands on its own merits as a significant literary event. I, like some other readers, await with great anticipation, more books from this incredibly talented author.
Rating: 4
Summary: A challenging read.
Comment: O'dell's book is raw and edgy. The main character,Harley,is such a very sad person and you can hardly believe he hasn't lost his mind with all the atrocities he has seen in his short life. Yet he is a survivor at heart and along with the drive to care for and protect what is left of his family, that is his three sisters, he also longs to live the life of a regular nineteen year old. Basically to be with a woman and drink beer as much as he wants. As you read and the horror of the actual truth unfolds, you just want to rescue him and allow him to not have to deal with such horrible truths anymore. A young man his age just cannot possibly withstand the pressure he is under. All in all, BACK ROADS is an eye-opening novel for the typical sheltered American (myself included) who cannot imagine the terrible things underprivileged families experience day-to-day. My emotions went from hope to despair to deep sympathy. I hope someday I can meet a child like Harley and adopt him.
Rating: 1
Summary: Protect the innocent from abuse.
Comment: It seems I have stumbled onto another trashy novel about the South. So like the V C Andrews' mass assortment about incest and the TO LIVE AND DIE IN DIXIE, this too makes us in the South look bad beyond belief.
These poor children endure so much, but the murder by the older boy and his sordid affair with the offbeat mother of two just down the road are a little much. Another murder takes place there in the filthy outdoors by one of the sisters and the mother goes to prison for a crime she does not do but didn't try to avoid.
I gave this book away just to get it out of my presence, as I consider it nasty and disturbing. What bothers me is that this kind of literature(?) gets published in the first place.
There certainly were back roads, but the premise of the story is about the interwoven lives of two families who live there. It must have occurred before there were social services to look after homeless children.
 |
Title: A Virtuous Woman by Kaye Gibbons ISBN: 0375703063 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 05 November, 1997 List Price(USD): $11.00 |
 |
Title: Black and Blue by Anna Quindlen ISBN: 0440226104 Publisher: Dell Pub. Date: 02 February, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: What Looks Like Crazy On An Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage ISBN: 038079487X Publisher: Avon Pub. Date: 01 November, 1998 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
 |
Title: While I Was Gone by Sue Miller, Sue Miller ISBN: 0345443284 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 12 May, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
 |
Title: Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio ISBN: 0142000205 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 08 March, 2001 List Price(USD): $13.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
