The Shortest Way Home
Juliette Fay
Penguin, Oct 30 2012, $15.00
ISBN: 9780143121916
When their mother died from Huntington’s, their father dumped his three kids on their Auntie Vivvy in Pelham, Massachusetts. The oldest Sean became a nurse providing medical care in the worst areas of the world. Now in his forties he comes home from the democratic Republic of Congo after learning that his younger brother Hugh died. Sean is shocked how old his thirtyish sister Deidre the actress turned surrogate mother to their nephew Kevin looks. She informs him their aunt is beginning to show signs of senility.
He tries to help Deidre with Kevin, but parenting is something he never dealt with before. Sean feels attracted to his childhood friend Becky, who reciprocates. However, though he suffers from PTSD, Sean feels unable to stay home.
Though there is some similarity to the relationships in Shelter Me (also in Pelham), The Shortest Way Home is an engaging family drama as the aunt, siblings and nephew each have personal issues. Character-driven, love may not be enough to heal this dysfunctional quartet as Juliette Fay provides readers with an engaging warm contemporary.
Harriet Klausner
Juliette Fay
Penguin, Oct 30 2012, $15.00
ISBN: 9780143121916
When their mother died from Huntington’s, their father dumped his three kids on their Auntie Vivvy in Pelham, Massachusetts. The oldest Sean became a nurse providing medical care in the worst areas of the world. Now in his forties he comes home from the democratic Republic of Congo after learning that his younger brother Hugh died. Sean is shocked how old his thirtyish sister Deidre the actress turned surrogate mother to their nephew Kevin looks. She informs him their aunt is beginning to show signs of senility.
He tries to help Deidre with Kevin, but parenting is something he never dealt with before. Sean feels attracted to his childhood friend Becky, who reciprocates. However, though he suffers from PTSD, Sean feels unable to stay home.
Though there is some similarity to the relationships in Shelter Me (also in Pelham), The Shortest Way Home is an engaging family drama as the aunt, siblings and nephew each have personal issues. Character-driven, love may not be enough to heal this dysfunctional quartet as Juliette Fay provides readers with an engaging warm contemporary.
Harriet Klausner
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