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Summary: up with the best
Review: This book is fabulous. My favorites are She's Come Undone and White Oleander, if you liked them you will love Back roads, it is a touching yet disturbing story that keeps you hungry for more!
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Summary: Completely Strains credibility...
Review: As other reviewers have mentioned this story starts out strongly but falters as it progresses. The author is able to convincingly develop the character of Harley and he has a distinctive voice.I enjoyed the initial parts of the book, but the subsequent developments were completely unbelievable. I'm unwilling to accept the reality of a story that has two members of one family separately committing murders. The plot does not tie together and is ultimately very disappointing.
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Summary: Gripping with realism
Review: This book is very well written. It pulls you in and you cannot put the book down. I highly recommend this book.
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Summary: FAST-PACED...DISTURBING
Review: Harley Altmyer has a load of responsibilities for a man of his young age. Harley's father is dead, and his mother is in prison for the murder, so he is left to raise his three younger sisters. Working two jobs, and looking for love in all the wrong places, his story of abuse, incest, and the strange relationships between siblings will unfold to answer the question...can he be the savior his family needs? "Back Roads" is a fast-paced novel dealing with some disturbing issues. At times hilarious and heartbreaking, while also being gritty and violent, first time author, Tawni O'Dell, handles herself like a seasoned pro; dishing out the heavy subject matter, and at the same time creating a hero in Harley. This book was an Oprah pick, but don't read it for that reason, read it because it is a well written, well executed story that grabs the reader and doesn't let go. This may not be a book for everyone, but any reader looking for intense fiction should pick it up. Nick Gonnella
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Summary: This book should be titled "In the Gutter"
Review: I did like the writer's style and found the character of 19 year old Harley to be likeable. However, this book really goes to the pit of society and paints a graphic picture of incest. If incestuous loves scenes do not bother you, or perhaps thrill you, then this is a very good book for you. If on the other hand, you find this kind of thing disturbing, then I would not suggest this book. Also, this is a dark book with a depressing tone throughout and a depressing ending. I wasn't quite sure what type a point the writer was trying to make, if any.
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Summary: Back Roads is Very Good
Review: Reviews often tell too much of a book, so I'll only say that I go to the library each week, find about 10 books with possibilities, then go home and start on them. Two pages and you know if the person can write well. Ten pages and you know if there is a story and a character you care about. This week Tawni O'Dell's Back Roads was the only book that made it past page 10. A woman writing from a 19 year-old boy's perspective, and I care about him, and believe him, even like him. Harley is confused, eruptive, tender, hormonal, dark, and hurting. All of this while he takes care of his three sisters after their mother kills their father. Ms. O'Dell takes us through Harley's mind and backwoods world. There are a lot of books that let us escape into the dangers of the outer world. But here we are taken into the inner world of Harley's thoughts. The book arcs leisurely, like real life, letting us descend into the tangles of this young man's head. And we might be surprised to find some of our own thoughts there. This is a fine book. I recommend it, and thank Ms. O'Dell for writing it.
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Summary: Don't waste your time or money on this stupid book
Review: Trust me. This is an overeducated writing-school drone's attempt to "slum it" by portraying characters she cannot articulate or understand. Worse, the twists and turns are at once sensationalistic and pedestrian. It's true, the dust jacket appears to have been written by someone who was unfamiliar with the book. I wish now I fell into that category too. I listened to the audiobook, so perhaps the novel's better on paper. But I doubt it. When will first novelists learn that hardscrabble does not automatically mean poetic or literary? When will first novelists abandon the notion that metaphors seem from the pores of the downtrodden? Again, don't waste your time. And think twice about Oprah's abused-protagonist-of-the-month club; that doesn't make the writing good. If I could give ZERO stars, I would. But they won't let me.
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Summary: A little far fetched...
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. We get the opportunity to see into the complicated life of, Harley. He has to raise his three young sisters (his mom is in jail for murdering their father), his best friend has gone away to college(a life Harley can only imagine), and he must support his family financially by working 2 jobs. The writing is very good. I did feel like the author included a lot of plot twists for shock value which wasn't necessary. Although the story line becomes a little too "hollywood" (it includes everything from incest to murder), it is a very intriguing read. I couldn't put it down! You feel sympathy, excitement, anger, happiness, frustration, fear and tenderness along with Harley. The ending takes a twist that I was a little disappointed with but, kind of expected. All said, I would recommend it!
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Summary: A Wonderful Book!!!
Review: I started reading this book on a plane home from a wedding, and couldn't put it down! I finished this book in a little less than 2 days. The story is amazing. The characters are so real I felt like I was a part of the story... living it with the characters. Harley is a great complex character as are his sisters. Really a fantastic book!
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Summary: The Characters Are So Easy To Relate To
Review: As a native of Pennsylvania I must say that Tawni O'Dell has expressed the true "back road" atmosphere of this beautiful state. The character development in this novel is excellent. We are introduced to Harley, who is left to care for his younger sisters while his mother is in jail. One can easily feel for this boy who is just that; a boy that has not had the chance to actually LIVE. Every amount of his energy has been given away. Hopefully you will enjoy this story. Ms. O'Dell is a brilliant author, and I am anxiously awaiting her next piece of literary genius.
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