Rating: 
Summary: Distressing, disturbing yet moving story
Review: You don't need three hundred reviews to see that this is an excellent first novel. Although the first ten pages can produce some confusion, when O'Dell shifts to the 'real' start of the story, the introduction makes sense and draws in the reader. This is one of the best novels I've read in two or three years. O'Dell's first work reminded me of Nelson DeMille's best work, although on a much more local, low-end scale.
Admittedly, the first ten pages almost led me to close the book, unfinished. Instead, I finished the entire book in one long night's read. It is true: This book is hard to put down. And, to the other 'crictics', yes, there are many elements of this story that would be the grist for about two weeks of Jerry Springer shows, e.g., "Horny housewife seduces murderer's son." And, having spent a bit of time in western Pennsylvania myself as a youth (my grandparents lived in western Pennsylvania; one grandfather was a coal miner), the title still left me scratching my head a bit, even at the end. There weren't that many back roads involved and the tenor of the setting seemed a bit generic, white trash, even red neck, and not peculiar to coal mining country in Pennsylvania.
Those aren't knocks on "Back Roads". O'Dell has a great ear for dialog and, as a female author inabiting the male protagonist's mind and body, she does an excellent job. Her attnetion to the small details of life in this depressed, stressed, and repressed world brings life to a very dark story of incest, murder, betrayal, and poverty. Harley gives 'single parenthood' a whole new meaning as he struggles as the brother cum father of three girls, each with profound psychological wounds. And, as a teen, he acquits himself well, even as he fumes, fumbles, and makes his own mistakes. It made me wonder: "Could I have done any better?"
A final note: Don't let a young son or daughter read this. The subject, not the language or sex, is not pleasant. For a more mature reader, there are lessons and there is light in this dark tale.
Rating: 
Summary: Sternie
Review: Author is a really good story-teller. The several twists were different for a change. Many reviews said you you really feel for the protagonist but I usually disliked the way he thought of, and treated others. The female author was effective in getting into the head of a male - I liked that. It takes an exceptional writer to turn so little in to so much.
Rating:
Summary: NOT FOR EVERYONE - BUT I LIKED IT
Review: This would not be everyone's cup of tea..not by a long shot. I certainly would not recommend it for younger readers. Being older than dirt myself, I was able to handle it and rather enjoyed it and in fact could sort of relate to it. Of course I could always relate to Holden too, so....Anyway, I would recommend digging into it, with the that it is a bit rough in places and some could well find it offensive. It is well worth the time though.
Rating:
Summary: A rough life
Review: This was one of those books that I could not put down. It portrays some brutal truth as to how some families have to live. In this case, Harley steps up to the plate to take care of his 3 younger sisters because his father is dead and his mother is in prison. He's having a hard time dealing with what his life is dishing out to him. He is young and torn between what he wants in life and obligations. It's hard to explain ANYTHING about this book without giving something away. There is always something happening in every chapter. There are a few sexual scenes that could be on the light side of graphic. And a few other situations that could leave you shocked. It is not for the weak of heart or for someone looking for a sweet story of a family. If you begin to read this book and think " OH MY GOSH" then put it down and step away.
I really enjoyed this book. I think that the author did an excellent job telling the story. It should be made into a movie. It's got some twists.
Rating: 
Summary: Overdone and gross
Review: I recently read this book, and I was dissapointed. I saw that is was part of Oprah's book club, so i took a chance and decided to read it. What i got was a book overflowing with over-the-top dirty and disturbing content. Normally, I find one or two disturbing twists exciting, but there are so many in this book that after you finish it you feel nauseous. The character was not likeable, the ending was terrible, and the book is innapropiete for people under 18. I would only recommend it as a book to scare you... and not the good healthy kind.
Rating:
Summary: good.
Review: This book was anded to me by uncle and i was told that neither him or my mother were able to read it. so i was down to nothing to read, so i dove into it, figuring what the heck. 4 hours later i was deep inside the story, enjoying the portrayal of the 19 year old make mind. About halfway, i it dawned upon me that the book took place 20 minutes from where i lived. NOT IN THE DEEP SOUTH LIKE ONE OF THE PREVIOUS REVEIWERS SAID. sorry that annoyed me a little bit when i saw that. we are north of the mason dixon line. First thoughts were that he was a middle class holden caulfield(sic). But this book seemed to be a little bit easier to relate to. in the beginning at least. the thing about catcher in the rye that bothered me was that it was all about a rich kid whining about his life. always hated that about people, try being on the other end of the spectrum and hating your life. anyways. overall the book took some expected turns, knew what was going to happen in the end. but overall the book was an interesting read. i am sorry if some people were disturbed by the language and visuals that were presented, but you know what? get over it, that is what life is like for some people. not everything is peachy keen for some people and things like this do happen in the world. i will be looking for more books from this author.
Rating: 
Summary: Not for young readers...
Review: I could not put this book down. I read it in two days. Deeply disturbing and very sad. Harley, a 19 year old boy is left to care for his three sisters after his mother is sent to prison for shooting her husband (so we are led to believe). It is strange to see that Harley ends up taking the blame for shooting Callie just like his mother ends up taking the blame for shooting her husband. Tawni (the author) is very good at describing her characters and making you feel as though you know them personally. I would definitely recommend this book to fellow readers but would caution them around the contents.
Rating:
Summary: Of the best page-turner books i've ever read...
Review: Back roads,written by o'dell is not just a novel,but a true picture of the life which a great many teenagers have to face.With a mom in jail and a murdered dad and three other sisters,Harley has to play the role of both the bread-winner and the house-keeper beside having to face the mental needs of his sisters and himself.
As in the book,we read; " That was when I realised being the bread-winner took the joy out of a lot of things". The book is sad,but enjoyable,a new work,not like the other happy ending novels written for the pleasure of the reader,its the truth.
The novel narrates the story of sexually abused kids with a sacrifying mother ,yet a fantasy sex life of a 19 year old boy who finds himself obsseded with the woman-the mother of two kids with a husband-living in the neighbourhood.
O'dell smartly points to some other issues on the sides;From the disabled young man working in the shop-which totally reminds me of SAM in "I'm Sam"- to the harsh police officers of the state.
Onthewhole,I obviously advise this book to those who seek real-life non-fiction stories.
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