Rating: 
Summary: Gripping
Review: I couldn't put this book down. One of the best I have read in a long time. I can't wait for her next one!!
Rating:
Summary: Dont miss this one!!
Review: This is one of the best books I have ever read. It is filled with secrets and leaves you guessing about what really happened all the way to the end. Surprises hit you in almost every chapter, some you expected and some you didnt. This book would make a great movie!!! You guys have got to read it!!!
Rating:
Summary: Heartbreaking, disturbing and downright awesome
Review: 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: 
Summary: Very Good read
Review: I won't go into the summary of the book, as other reviews have already accomplished, but I will go into how I felt while reading this book. I felt compelled by the book's honesty, grit, humor, and integrity. The dysfunction of the character and his perception of those around him are shocking at times, but reasonable in thought at other times. The book certainly is entertaining, well written, and makes the reader aware that love can exist where dysfuntion lies, and that love can be perceived in more ways than one. The perception of the main character is compelling, interesting, dramatic, violent at times, perverse, and compassionate, but he stays true to his feelings which are totally and completely real. I believe you will not only enjoy this book, but will remember it.
Rating:
Summary: Fun With Family Dysfunction.
Review: Back Roads is the quirky tale of Harley Altmeyer, a twenty-year-old, deep-thinking, virgin, Pennsylvania hillbilly who's raising his three young sisters--the oldest of whom is a bit slutty--in his mother's stead, since she's in prison for the murder of her abusive husband. Harley, a neo-classical tortured soul, rectifies his virgin status with an older, drunken, married, hotty neighbor. Then things get weird in this literary soap opera. Very weird. But this is not a Jerry Springer Show script. It is a thoughtful novel.The book stands out from the pack for several reasons. Tawni O'Dell takes on a daunting and unusual task: female authoring of a male protagonist in first person narrative. And does a good job. The style is colloquial, age-appropriate, and rich with dark wit and understatement. She paints a clear and seemingly accurate picture of Pennsylvania coal country for out-of-state readers. We are drawn into the story not so much out of affection or connection with Harley, but by morbid curiosity. How bad does it get? At several points I thought the dysfunction was over done. But no, real life gets this bad and worse. I met Tawni O'Dell at a booksigning at the Ruminator (nee Hungry Mind) in St. Paul a few weeks before Back Roads became an Oprah pick. I asked whether she had written other books. Yes, six earlier ones, none of which will ever sell. This fact is illustrative. No one spends the time to write six failed novels and tackle a seventh without a passion for the craft. The product is Back Roads. She's now a polished and courageous writer. Congratulations from Christopher Bonn Jonnes, author of Wake Up Dead.
Rating:
Summary: Oh my God!
Review: I'm not sure if I liked this book, but it impacted me and caused me to think about it after I was done reading it. Sometimes we come across things like that. Its dark and violent and many people will not like this book for that reason. It is moving and leaves an impression, but not a positive one. Any book that makes me think about it and discuss it with others I believe is good because it does just that. I don't think this book was written for enjoyment but, to provoke thought and think about situations that might be strange in our lives, but also very real for others.
Rating:
Summary: Mesmerizing
Review: This story is disturbing and mesmerizing at the same time. All of the characters are very complicated and true understanding probably isn't possible with just one reading. Harley is one of the most fascinating characters I've ever come across. He is so human and vulnerable it's difficult to believe he is a figment of the author's imagination. The smart humor interjected at critical points in the story saves it from being depressing. There is a lot in this book to ponder and I don't think that I will soon forget it.
Rating: 
Summary: Put this book on the back shelf
Review: After reading the first ten pges of this book,I thought I'm not going to like this and that turned out to be the truth,This book actually made me sick. These kinds of things happen in families but who wants to read about it . This entire family had issues including the aunt and uncle.The mother's problems started when she was a child and had lost her own parents.harley and his sisters never had a chance with an abusive father and a mother who would allow the abuse.I dont know why the neighbor had the hots for harley especially when he was all nasty and dirty.there was nothing funny in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Bitter disappointment
Review: This could have been a great book if the characters were better developed. I felt almost cheated the further I read on ... realizing that the mystery and vagueness of Harley and his sisters' personalities were leading nowhere. The book left me feeling empty and disappointed. I find it interesting that that there is even a Reading Group Guide with 'Topics for Discussion'. Does she really believe this to be great writing? Don't flatter yourself Tawni, you're only an amateur.
Rating:
Summary: An incredibly brilliant book by a new author!
Review: I have to say that I'm very impressed with this first novel. Harley Altmeyer is a character with incredible depth that actually stays with you long after the last page. He's a confused and troubled young man trying to keep his family together after his mother murders his father. He works two jobs to keep their lives together but slowly begins to unravel after he mets the older, Callie whom he loses his virginity to and after he starts uncovering the shocking truth behind his family. Many people might find the subject matter to be a little offensive. I think the book was done in a way that was able to take you beyond the disturbing to the truth. This stuff happens and whether we like to admit or not, it happens every day. Tawni takes you into this boy's life and sucks you in with the thoughts and feelings of this kid who is in trouble. Highly sexual, beautifully written, I loved this book. However, if one is offended easily, this isn't for you. Read it with an open mind and open heart. A truly brilliant piece of work!
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