Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed
Review: This was a book that I started reading and I could not put it down. It was a good story line at first and it held your interest as to what Harley would think of next. It started out very innocent and touching. About the last quarter of the book, it took a turn for the worst. I think Tawni O'Dell wanted it to be more of a mystery, but nothing led up to a mystery until the last quarter when the dog dug up a bloody shirt. It then became so predictable. Then it started becoming incestuous as if it came out of no where. The main character is dreaming of his older neighbor and has an affair with her, then all of the sudden, he's having sex with his sister. The incest could have been left out of the book. If they were trying to express the love that the sister had for the brother, it could have been done in a better way without the incest. It wasn't necessary. The story started out great....then the incest started and the children are all murderers and it became very far-fetched. I noticed that this was the only book the author has written, hopefully if she decides to write another one, she will take her time and think it out before she tries to throw a bad plot together. Sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Gripping
Review: This book has a lot of depth to it. I really don't think it was intended for 'light reading' at all. I could not put it down, despite the harsh plot. The main character, Harley, is forced to grow up & take care of his three sisters when his mother is in jail for shooting his father. There are so many stories that unwind & secrets that unlock in this book. This book is about reality & its cruelty. I do not recommend it for the weak-stomached.
Rating:
Summary: Surprise!
Review: There's nothing that I enjoy more in a book, than to be in the process of reading it...and somewhere in the middle...just when I think that I know where it's going, and how it's going to end, it takes a turn on me, sending me on a mission to quickly find out what's about to happen next. And so...I am left unable to put the book down. Back Roads is that kind of book. Pick it up...and don't dare put it down, 'cause you might miss something. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book
Review: this book deserves a positive review. It's wonderful writing and a great story. I would have paid double the amount the bookstore was asking for it. Definitely NOT a waste of money or time.
Rating: 
Summary: Grab your prozac
Review: This is the most depressing book I have ever read. Yes, it is a story that keeps you turning the pages, but each chapter brings a new sense of sadness and tragedy. If your life is filled with happiness and wealth and you need a reality pill to show you how other people live, then this book is for you. But if you are looking for a reason to be happy each morning, skip this book. I am avoiding all of the Oprah books from now on.
Rating: 
Summary: Violation
Review: This recent novel, a novel and Oprah Pick by Tawni O'Dell, gives us a fascinating protaginist in Harley. Harley is a nineteen year old with far too many responsibilities. His father is dead, and his mother in prison for his murder, leaving Harley in charge of his three younger sisters, and working two minimum-wage jobs in a rural Pennsylvania town to support them. Harley is still trying to grow up himself. With state-provided therapy, Harley begins working through his family dynamics, to ultimately bring him to realizations about his life and family, perhaps that he doesn't want to have. Back Roads is ultimatly a story of violation. Parents violate their children's trust, a teenager violates a neighbor's body, and ultimately there is a violation of the social order and law. This isn't an easy book to read - I often found myself flinching at the violence and darkness in the pages of the book. And, the resolution may be ultimately unbelievable. That said, it is worthwhile book in its look at rural poverty and child abuse.
Rating:
Summary: Secrets and lies...
Review: With BACK ROADS, Tawni O'Dell has crafted a gritty and tremendously engrossing first novel which is reminiscent of Lisa Reardon's BILLY DEAD.
Harley Altmyer is nineteen years old, left to take care of his three younger sisters after his mother is imprisoned for shooting her husband.
As the novels opens, Harley is being held by authorities for reasons that are at first unclear. The story follows Harley, a both complex and passionate teen as he struggles to be brother, father and mother to his sisters, all while he works two jobs and battles his own personal demons. By the novel's stunning conclusion, the secrets and lies of the Altmyer become clear not only to Harley, but to the reader as well.
This is a tough and emotionally draining novel, but O'Dell's gift as a natural storyteller makes every page worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Superb male narrative!
Review: Backroads is about what dysfunction can do to a family.
It's about a system that doesn't work.
It's about a mother who allows her husband to beat the [stuffing] out of her and her kids.
It's about generational patterns.
It's about a father who will not change.
It's about how innocence can transform into immoral, ugly behavior.
******
Tawni O'dell has hit the nail on the head with her male narrator...How did she do that so well!
Harley is sooo teenagery male that I wonder if O'dell had lots of brothers (or something.)
I love Harley. I know Harley. I have gone out with many a Harley. He is a bad boy dying to be good. He is just a kid who happens to have dysfunctional parents and grandparents. He is a brother who because of circumstance, becomes a parent himself. So here it is...
Harley's mom ends up in prison and he ends up taking care of his three younger sisters. This is no small task for a nineteen year old. Especially since one of them is going through hormonal stuff herself, experimenting (Alot) with sex, boys, her independence. On top of that...she is [upset] as heck that he is stuck watching them in the first place. Harley works two jobs and still can't put food on the table (an abundance of hot dogs) is about as good as it gets.
It's not fair. Life isn't fair. Harley lets the reader know this right off the bat. Harley doesn't hold back anything. He meets Cally in the super market (A mother figure who happens to have a fantastic figure.) She is a 32 year old miserable house-wife. Guess what happens after that? Virginal Harley gets what he has been dreaming, thinking, and praying for. I hate 32 year old women like that! She should be put in jail. This book is full of tenderness, wit,humor, magnificent dialouge, and what not to do as parents!!!!!!!
I loved it.
And I pray that all of the Harley's out there will come out of their "Bad Boy Shells" and reveal the "Good Boy" who has been waiting to free himself (even if their parents were jerks).
Rating:
Summary: Intense, Dark, and Beautifully Written
Review: This is not a feel good book. The story, hopefully,takes you places you've never been. I have recommended, and lent, this book to everybody that shares my love for reading. All but one have thanked me. The story could upset you. I believe that is why the one person responded negatively.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing Read, O'Dell is my favorite Author
Review: I didn't know the reason why I had to go looking for this particular book after seeing it on Oprah a few years back;That show made such and impact on me that I was in tears. I looked everywhere for the book not really sure why? When I finally found it. I got too busy and put it away, but about a week ago I decided to do something good for myself and read. I'm not really a big fan of reading. I get bored with most of the books I pick up, but after the first five minutes I was hooked. Maybe, I can relate somewhat to the character he is so human and truthful it's scary. Or maybe because I am also 19 and thinking about being put in that position is scary.Harley does the best that he could, I don't blame him. We can't judge because most of us don't know how it is not to be loved by the one person we want most to care. It is so sad what happened to that family but none of them could have helped it. I was in love with all the characters especially Callie and Harley. What they had was messy and unclear but in a way absolutely beautiful. When I finished that book I couldn't stop crying and thinking about how horrible life can get. Then it also reminded me how wonderful and bright it could be. This novel shows both sides, at first I was really upset with the ending but the more time I had to think about it, it was perfect especially the last sentence. Amazing, O'Dell put the passion for reading in me again, Thank you and I cannot wait till your next novel you have a new fan. One more thing Jody is a sweetheart and a real joy ,she represented hope. Everyone do something good for yourself..READ THIS BOOK!
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