Rating: 
Summary: An interesting read...
Review: I enjoyed Back Roads, and while I was reading it, I found I could barely put it down. Tawni O'Dell tells the story of a troubled young man forced to be an adult too soon. Though disturbed by his violent fantasies (which contributed to the suspense of the book), I found I like the character and even laughed out loud at some of his views of the world. (Asking to the talk to the bank, for instance, was very clever.) I don't know if this book will stand out in my mind over the next few months or years, but it definitely kept me enthralled while I was reading it.
Rating: 
Summary: Awful but has a few redeeming qualities
Review: Tawni O'Dell is not a bad writer. She can use language well, has somewhat interesting characters (although not believable ones) and paces her story dramtically. Those few positives can't help the fact that this is a terrible book. The storyline, which could have been a fascinting look at the coping mechanisms of children who survived the murder of a parent by the other parent, is instead a VC Andrews tale of incest and murder. Nothing that happens even remotely resembles reality. Furthermore, the over the top use of WORDS in CAPITAL letters is annoying, as are the characterizations of both Misty and Amber. These two characters are so unsympathetic that you can't imagine caring for them. I am shocked that Oprah picked this for her club because the story is just so over-the-top; it is steeped in bathos. What starts off promising descends to a level of Gothic melodrama so perverse (becuase the author chooses to throw many Jerry Springer type cliches into the mix) you'd almost laugh if you didn't realize you just spent a day reading the novel.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting
Review: I have made it a point to read all of Oprah's selections since she has introduced the joy of reading to the public. This is one of her selections and it's one of the few that I had a hard time getting into. For one thing, it is very dark and depressing. I wish someone had warned me of that when I bought this book. It is also extremely violent ~~ which I have a hard time grasping. There is enough violence in this world, I know, but this book just rubbed me raw. Harley, the main character of this book, is a young man stuck with the responsibilty of raising his younger sisters since his mom went to jail for murdering his dad. This book is mostly flashbacks of Harley's life and the present-day. Struggling to keep food on the table and the roof over his head, Harley shows a lot of resentment for such a heavy responsibilty. He refuses to visit his mom in jail. He tends to defend his father who is abusive. He resents his sisters for being young and not working. He fights to keep his sisters together even when they ignore what he wants. He also falls in love with a beautiful housewife who appears to have it all. Then it all explodes into a mass confusion and stark truth. It leaves Harley (and the reader) reeling with shock and confusion. This is an interesting book ~~ but too dark and violent for my personal taste. I usually buy books to escape into ~~ not to escape from! O'Dell definitely showed the darker side of human nature in this book ~~ and dysfunctional family takes on a new whole meaning as well. If you are into dark reading, this book is perfect for you. It's well-written with doses of black humor and despair. If it's a lighter read you are looking for, don't get this one. 7-7-03
Rating:
Summary: Captivating but flawed
Review: I bought Back Roads solely because it was on the sale rack at the bookstore. I do not regret my purchase, but have a few problems with this book. In it, Harley, a 19-year-old boy, must take care of and provide for his three younger sisters, one of which is a [mean] 16 year old who has sex with every guy in their small town. Harley's past is tainted by the abuse of his father and the murder committed by his mother. Not being a child of abuse myself, I don't know what kind of pain is experienced by these children, but I have never met ANY 19-year-old (man OR woman) who cries as much as Harley does in this novel. I found the book to be depressing, but truthful. It's certainly not for the weak-stomached. The book's ending was strange to say the least, I'm not sure incest was a necessary factor in a story that already included [so much else] but Hey, that's just me. THe book is quick-paced but ultimately dissapointing. I would reccomend this book for someone who usually likes Oprah's picks, it follows her typical themes of depression and abuse in families. Still, I have to saym if your going to read an Oprah book about families, I enjoyed THE RAPTURE OF CANAAN much more(it's also about a teenager in a bad situation). Overall, it was a good debut, but I hope O'Dell's next book is a little lighter and perhaps a little more realistic.
Rating:
Summary: Back Roads
Review: Back Roads, by Tawni O'Dell, was a great book. I thought that Harvey, the main character, was the best character I have read about in a long time. Harvey has so much responsibility on him, and although he always does the right thing on the outside, it is interesting to hear his thoughts on the inside. He is full of disdain and almost hatred for everyone around him, and is often fuming with rage. Although the book dabbles in such dark topics as incest, murder, and insanity, the characters still come across as very normal. The way it was written made me feel close to all of the characters, and it made me feel like any of these terrible things could happen to me. There was also a lot of imagery in the book. O'Dell has a talent for setting the scene, allowing the reader to see lots of details most writers would overlook. Overall, Back Roads was an excellent read and I would highly recommend it.
Rating: 
Summary: Highway Through Hell
Review: The author IS the protaganist in this sick story of incest, violence and murder. The reader is artfully allowed inside Ms O'Dell's mind as she lays bare the desperation of a drunk, sexually-starved, masturbating teen-ager. Like a cue ball on a losing snooker table, Harley smashes head-on into the balls, but without sinking any.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down!
Review: I loved how the characters past experiences were explained while they lived and struggled day to day. Tawni writes in a way that flows like a river, not confusing at all. You love the characters and identify with their UNIQUE struggles in coming to terms with their situation the best they can. It's real and raw and a joy to read.
Rating:
Summary: Draws You in and then Slams You in the End!
Review: I started reading this book as soon as I received it and found that I liked the characters in it so much that I couldn't put it down. I had to see what was going to happen with them next! I felt as though the personality of the middle daughter, Misty, was not explored as much as that of Amber and Jodi, though, so I didn't feel as though I "knew" Misty or cared all that much about what was going on with her throughout the story. Jodi definitely leaves an impression on my mind and heart, though! I devoured the book in one day, and did enjoy it very much, but I hated the end. It felt to me as though the author got tired of her characters and started writing more and more vaguely, until, finally, she ended the book with a surprise that I just didn't feel fit with the entire rest of the story. The parallels between what Harley ultimately ended up doing, and what his mother had done could have been explored more. It just seemed that the realistic tone that was felt throughout the story was gone by the end and it was a vague, euphemistic conclusion. All in all, I did like the book, and will definitely read the next book that Tawni O'dell writes.
Rating:
Summary: One of my favorites!
Review: This is a dark tale about hardship, family, and all of the things nobody ever likes to talk about. Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. I thought the characters were well developed and I absolutely loved the writing style. The author created a world using minimal description, she never got too involved with the details and chose instead, to stick with telling the story and letting readers use their own imaginations. The writing was simplistic but it was a perfect fit for the tone of the novel. This is one of those novels that sticks with you for days after you read it. I hope Mrs. O'dell will write something new soon!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Story
Review: This book is very easy to get into, and once you start reading, you cannot put it down. After you read the story, you realize how twisted it really is. There are a couple surprises in it, but it's not very realistic. Nonetheless, this is still one of my favorites!
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