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The Shortest Way Home – Book Review

October 28, 2012 by Jennifer Donovan

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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I loved this book. I loved it from start to finish, front cover to last word. The Shortest Way Home is a book that brought me great satisfaction while reading it — pulling at my heartstrings in just the right way, and engaging me into these wonderfully written characters.

Sean Doran is an irascible, committed yet unrooted kind of guy. For the last 20 years he’s been working as a nurse giving humanitarian aid in various places around the globe, yet neglecting his own family back home in Massachusetts. When he finally returns for a visit after a 6 year absence, he notices his aunt who raised him for most of his life is starting to have memory problems. His nephew Kevin, who she and his sister took in when his father died, is now 11 and seems to be sort of raising himself.

Sean once felt a calling to his profession, an obligation to take his life and make something good of it, but he’s now feeling lost. It seems he’s dodged the Huntington’s disease genetic bullet that took his mother before she even reached his age. He always assumed he’d die in his 30’s, but the idea of living a full normal lifespan has him at a crossroads.

Does he have it in him to really live — instead of living like he’s dying? Returning home and connecting with old friends and family forces him to examine his life and take a good hard look at who hes been and who he wants to be.

Each and every character in The Shortest Way Home by Juliette Fay grew beyond the stereotype into wonderfully imperfect lovable people. Issues such as fatal genetic diseases, physical deformities, infertility, abandonment and more are obstacles that these characters face and are shaping them into who they are. Fay handles these issues with a delicate touch. They are all grave issues, yet she didn’t overplay them. At almost 400 pages, this is a relatively long women’s fiction novel, but I would have gladly stayed in this world for 400 more.

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About Jennifer Donovan

Jennifer Donovan has been a part of the 5 Minutes for Mom team since 2007. She writes product reviews, covers events, and manages the 5 Minutes for Books weekly column and website. She lives in Houston and blogs at Snapshot about life with her family.

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42 Comments

  1. Van says

    November 8, 2012 at 11:41 am

    I am one of those deeply rooted people also.

    Reply
  2. Angela E. says

    November 7, 2012 at 9:24 am

    I like to travel and go places when I can afford it ofcourse, but getting back home is always nice.

    Reply
  3. June says

    November 6, 2012 at 9:52 am

    I guess I am a deeply rooted person.

    Reply
  4. Sharon says

    November 6, 2012 at 6:55 am

    I’d love to read this book. I read Shelter me and loved it.

    Reply
    • Sharon says

      November 6, 2012 at 6:55 am

      I am deeply rooted.

      Reply
  5. Anita Yancey says

    November 5, 2012 at 3:41 pm

    I use to be a nomad when I was young, but now that I have grand children I am deeply rooted.

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

    Reply
  6. Susan S. says

    November 5, 2012 at 9:48 am

    Definitely deeply rooted. Although my roots aren’t where they want to be right now. Maybe some day.

    Reply
  7. Michelle H says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:15 pm

    Well, I don’t live in my hometown or near related family—but we are still very close and talk almost daily. So I would go with well-rooted.

    Reply
  8. Ruth Hill says

    November 4, 2012 at 10:00 am

    I am well-rooted.

    Reply
  9. Angie says

    November 3, 2012 at 10:50 pm

    I’m more Deeply Rooted.

    Reply
  10. samantha w says

    November 3, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    a little of both I guess

    Reply
  11. Don says

    November 3, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Taking a trip somewhere else is always nice, but getting back home has it’s perks as well.

    Reply
  12. Jen N says

    November 2, 2012 at 11:09 pm

    Deeply Rooted- love home and family time.

    Reply
  13. benita says

    November 1, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    I’m very deeply rooted.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  14. Staci A says

    November 1, 2012 at 2:13 pm

    Definitely am deeply rooted.

    Reply
  15. Chuck says

    November 1, 2012 at 10:21 am

    I’d have to say that I’m very rooted.

    Reply
  16. Amy M says

    October 31, 2012 at 3:18 pm

    I am deeply rooted. 🙂

    Reply
  17. Garrett says

    October 31, 2012 at 11:15 am

    I’m a little of both I guess.

    Reply
  18. Cindi says

    October 30, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    I am very deeply rooted, but find myself wanting to become
    nomadic, the older that I get!
    Many thanks, Cindi

    Reply
  19. Lori D. says

    October 30, 2012 at 12:16 pm

    There’s no place like coming back home.

    Reply
  20. Shari says

    October 30, 2012 at 10:35 am

    Can I be a little bit of both? I do love to travel, to see new places, but I’m very much rooted in home, too, and need to have one place to which to return! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Cindy B says

    October 30, 2012 at 12:11 am

    Definitely a nomad!

    Reply
  22. nannypanpan says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    deeply rooted
    [email protected]

    Reply
  23. Daniel M says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:41 pm

    deeply rooted but want to be a nomad

    Reply
  24. Linda Kish says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:40 pm

    I’m pretty well rooted.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  25. DEBIJOT says

    October 29, 2012 at 7:45 pm

    I am deeply rooted.

    Reply
  26. Beth C says

    October 29, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    We are deeply rooted.

    Reply
  27. Marjorie says

    October 29, 2012 at 5:36 pm

    A nomad for a longtime and now a home body. I prefer the nomad life.

    Reply
  28. Joy says

    October 29, 2012 at 3:36 pm

    I am deeply rooted. I want to be around my friends and family as long as possible.

    Reply
  29. Sandra K321 says

    October 29, 2012 at 1:30 pm

    I’m pretty much rooted right here. I live within 45 minutes of where I was born and grew up.

    Reply
  30. Susan P. says

    October 29, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I’m both! I love to travel and see new places but have lived in the same house for 32 years.

    Reply
  31. Idaho Jill says

    October 29, 2012 at 11:21 am

    both – I love being at home, but also love to travel. I have lived in 3 different states, so maybe more of a nomad?

    Reply
  32. Juliette Fay says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Wow, Jennifer — what a lovely, thoughtful review! I’m so glad you liked it and grateful to you for sharing it with your readers.

    Reply
  33. ellie says

    October 29, 2012 at 10:44 am

    I am deeply rooted. Thanks for this giveaway.

    Reply
  34. angie says

    October 29, 2012 at 9:01 am

    I have deep roots but love to move about. I have always considered myself a nomad or a person with a gypsy heart as I have deep roots in a few different areas and seem to travel among them

    Reply
  35. K.Pugh says

    October 29, 2012 at 7:30 am

    I’m a nomad.
    Thanks for the chance.

    Reply
  36. Cassandra says

    October 29, 2012 at 2:17 am

    Both? I’m very much a homebody most of the time. But occasionally I get this huge itch to travel. My family moved a LOT when I was growing up so it’s weird for me to stay in the same place for years. We just moved to Washington from Arizona but I was in Arizona for 13 years. Before that, I lived in numerous different states. Now, I mostly stay close to home but visit family around the country at least once a year. That seems to take care of my travel itch.

    Sounds like a good story!

    Reply
  37. Jessica T says

    October 28, 2012 at 11:49 pm

    Deeply rooted. VERY deeply!

    Reply
  38. Chelsea says

    October 28, 2012 at 11:10 pm

    we’re deeply rooted (my husband and I)

    Reply
  39. Simon says

    October 28, 2012 at 11:08 pm

    I think my wife would really like this book.

    Reply
  40. Matty says

    October 28, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    Book sounds awesome! I would love it!

    Reply
  41. Emily says

    October 28, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    I’m a Nomad! Love to travel!

    Reply

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