Rush Home Road : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: A lovely book
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The story was interesting and gave me a greater understanding of how Black people lived in South-western Ontario after the Underground Railroad. From that perspective I found it really fascinating. The relationship between Sharla and Addy was beautifully described and moved me to tears sometimes. The ending was a bit of a coincidence but these things do happen in real life sometimes. The only problem I had was that too many sad things happen to Addy. When the train jumps the bridge, it was too too much misfortune in one person's life. It felt too melodramatic, but I still feel this was a most worthwhile read. Thank you, Lori!

Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming First Novel by Lori Lansens
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this novel by Lori Lansens. However, I will admit that the introductory chapter had me worried that this book would be depressing. Yet as I read on I found that the damage done could be undone with faith and love, as so much evil in the world can. There are many great lessons to be learned throughout the story as Addy Shadd, a strong woman with a big heart, regresses into her past and the reader gets a glimpse of how she learned these life lessons. One of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was its realness. There were hardships and trials yet there were times of true and complete happiness just as there are in everyone's life. The characters in this novel went through struggles, learned from them, and went on to revel in the joys of life. The aspect of the writing style that I enjoyed most was the way the author brought us into the past as Addy herself was drawn into it. As Addy becomes more entrenched in her past, the story begins to spend more time in the past as well. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Read
Review: I too really enjoyed this book, it was easy to read, but still had me sitting up until late at night to finish it!
Great characters & the storyline was really moving. I do agree that the ending was a bit cliche, but it really didn't ruin the book at all & sometimes we all need a bit of a happy ending!

Rating:
Summary: A lovely engaging read
Review: If Oprah's bookclub was back in business this would surely be a novel she would love. Black Canadian history, hardship, heartache and joy all figure prominantly in this very readable first novel. This is the story of Addy Shadd, an elderly Black woman with plenty of heartbreaking secrets in her past. Addy comes to "inherit" five year old Sharla Cody, a mixed race child with no father and a less than caring mother. The fascinating story of Addy's life is carefully weaved into her present relationship with Sharla, it makes for a story you won't want to put down. My only minor negative comment would be that at times the volume of tragedy in Addy's life seems overwhelming even for the reader. That aside, I would highly recommend seeking out this novel. 4.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: A lovely engaging read
Review: If Oprah's bookclub was back in business this would surely be a novel she would love. Black Canadian history, hardship, heartache and joy all figure prominantly in this very readable first novel. This is the story of Addy Shadd, an elderly Black woman with plenty of heartbreaking secrets in her past. Addy comes to "inherit" five year old Sharla Cody, a mixed race child with no father and a less than caring mother. The fascinating story of Addy's life is carefully weaved into her present relationship with Sharla, it makes for a story you won't want to put down. My only minor negative comment would be that at times the volume of tragedy in Addy's life seems overwhelming even for the reader. That aside, I would highly recommend seeking out this novel. 4.5 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: My Aunt gave me this book when I was home visiting in Toronto. I remember traveling down to Windsor to visit family so many times growing up before I moved to the States. Now I can put a story to those roads traveled buy so many people before me. "Rush Home Road" grabs you and loves you and you love it for telling you about Sharla and Addy.

Rating:
Summary: Buy it. Read it. And pass it on to those you love.
Review: THIS IS A MUST MUST READ !!!!! I HAVE BEEN TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT IT. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR MY FRIENDS TO READ IT AND RETURN IT SO I CAN READ IT AGAIN !

Rating:
Summary: I could not put it down---- Recommended Read for Women
Review: This is a must read book! As I turned the pages I couldn't help but visualize each and every scene. I grew up in Chatham, Ontario (where this book is set) and not only did I enjoy the references to local landmarks but can now better understand an important part of our history.

Rating:
Summary: A real story...
Review: This is a novel that took me into another world. The world of Sharla Cody and Adelaide Shadd. This book captured my interest that no other novel has done.

It told a story about life, people, trust,love, pain, and sorrow. Moreover, throughout the ups and downs of Sharla and Addy's lives,it also told a story of finding and sharing happeniness with others. Reading this novel, my outlook of my own life has changed, as the life of Addy and Sharla showed me, you can go on and life is what you make it, even through troubles times.

When I started reading this book I had a connection with the characters. As well, I am familiar with the surroundings of the setting, Southwertern Ontario Canada. This is a novel that I think everyone can relate to in oneway or another from all walks of life.

I have shared this novel with family and friends and I enjoy speaking about this book with other readers who are looking for something new and adventurous.

I'm not someone that you would call a bookworm, but when I started reading this novel, I could not (believe me) put this book down. I loved the way Lori Lansens switched from Addy's past life and the present life she was living with Sharla.

After reading the novel,I still wonder what life is like for Addy and Sharla today. I wish and hope that there will be a continuation of Rush Home Road.

More books need to be written like Rush Home Road....I look forward to more novels by Lori Lansens....Beautiful, Just a beautiful story.