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.
I am one of those deeply rooted people also.
I like to travel and go places when I can afford it ofcourse, but getting back home is always nice.
I guess I am a deeply rooted person.
I’d love to read this book. I read Shelter me and loved it.
I am deeply rooted.
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
Definitely deeply rooted. Although my roots aren’t where they want to be right now. Maybe some day.
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.
I am well-rooted.
I’m more Deeply Rooted.
a little of both I guess
Taking a trip somewhere else is always nice, but getting back home has it’s perks as well.
Deeply Rooted- love home and family time.
I’m very deeply rooted.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Definitely am deeply rooted.
I’d have to say that I’m very rooted.
I am deeply rooted. 🙂
I’m a little of both I guess.
I am very deeply rooted, but find myself wanting to become
nomadic, the older that I get!
Many thanks, Cindi
There’s no place like coming back home.
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! 🙂
Definitely a nomad!
deeply rooted
nannypanpan@gmail.com
deeply rooted but want to be a nomad
I’m pretty well rooted.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I am deeply rooted.
We are deeply rooted.
A nomad for a longtime and now a home body. I prefer the nomad life.
I am deeply rooted. I want to be around my friends and family as long as possible.
I’m pretty much rooted right here. I live within 45 minutes of where I was born and grew up.
I’m both! I love to travel and see new places but have lived in the same house for 32 years.
both – I love being at home, but also love to travel. I have lived in 3 different states, so maybe more of a nomad?
Wow, Jennifer — what a lovely, thoughtful review! I’m so glad you liked it and grateful to you for sharing it with your readers.
I am deeply rooted. Thanks for this giveaway.
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
I’m a nomad.
Thanks for the chance.
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!
Deeply rooted. VERY deeply!
we’re deeply rooted (my husband and I)
I think my wife would really like this book.
Book sounds awesome! I would love it!
I’m a Nomad! Love to travel!