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Summary: Slow Way Home
Review: For some reason I put my name on the list for this book when the library received its copies. I guess it was because I like to read current books by southern authors.
I enjoyed every minute of this book and its believable characters. (...) am anxiously awaiting more from Michael Morris.
He affected me the same way as John Grisham with The Firm and I hope he is going to be as prolific.
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Summary: A well written novel that pulls at the heartstrings
Review: I read this book on the sales rep's recommendation. I think that this is great literary fiction, I couldn't put it down. Brandon's character is well developed and so well drawn I seemed to feel his emotions. I think that there are perhaps many children like Brandon, living in one foster home after another and this book offers great insight into their unsettled lives. This would be a great book club book because of the many diverse characters and the subject matter. This is the first I've read of this author but I'm looking forward to the next book!
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Summary: teacher approved
Review: I'm a fourth grade teacher and I have seen the story in this book played out time and time again. The writer captured the raw emotions of a child in need. Surprisingly, with humor and loving characters who are sent to help this boy, the book is not at all depressing. I only hope that when you read this book you will think about what you can do to help children like this boy who are in need of love.
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Summary: Brilliant Depiction of Raw Southern Life
Review: In "Slow Way Home", Michael Morris gives a gripping tale of raw Southern life. It's ugly, it's dramatic--it's as real as it can get.
Brandon Willard was born to a single mother who bounced from relationship to relationship, most of which inflicted constant abuse on both her and her son. Finally, after another man comes along with a grand dream, Sophie ships Brandon off to live with his God-fearing grandparents.
Nana and Poppy give the boy stability and love, but they soon learn that the law favors the mother--no matter her history and her condition. They are forced to flee with the boy and start a new life in Florida.
The tale is gripping with such staples of Southern life as fishing, farming, and the KKK.
It's a heartwarming tale of how good (eventually) triumphs.
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Summary: Fantastic Southern Flavor!
Review: Mike Morris has done it again. As he did in A PLACE CALLED WIREGRASS, Morris has created downhome characters in a believable southern setting and sent them on a journey that pulls at the heart of anyone who has ever loved a child. In SLOW WAY HOME, eight-year-old Brandon has spent his childhood in the care of his flighty mother and her string of abusive and irresponsible boyfriends. When Brandon's mother drops him off "temporarily" at his grandparents house, she fails to show up again until he's formed a loving bond and sense of security in his new setting. Maintaining custody finally forces the threesome to take flight. With so many children abandoned to their grandparents in today's culture, this is a timely story that's sure to speak to a wide scope of readers.
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Summary: Lyrical writing and a memorable character
Review: Slow Way Home is a treasure of a novel. I discovered it as a Staff Pick at my local library. It is beautifully written with childlike innocence and lyrical prose. The back of this novel claims that the voice of Brandon will reamin with the reader. It certainly did with me. I look forward to reading this author's other books.
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Summary: Don't Miss Slow Way Home!
Review: This is the first novel I've found since ELLEN FOSTER that moved me in such a profound way. The voice of this child, Brandon, stayed with me. The story line brings Brandon into contact with many lively characters. But in the end, its the voices of Brandon and Siser Delores (his African American preacher) that resonate. This book is beautifully written. Now, I can't wait to read this author's other books. Don't miss SLOW WAY HOME!
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Summary: Slow Way Home - Heart-Touching Book!
Review: This story of Brandon's life is so true of the way many children live today, in homes with parents who never consider the emotional trauma they bring on the children. But Brandon, like many others, has loving grandparents who will stop at nothing to give him the life he deserves. Many other influential people are there for him along the way.
This is a touching story for me because my husband lived with his grandparents, and Michael Morris describes the life just as I've heard my husband do many times.
You must read this book. I've also read Michael's book "A Place Called Wiregrass" and it was great too but this one really touched my heart in a way no other book has. Read both of Michael's books, and I'm certain you won't be disappointed. Michael Morris is an excellent writer, and I'm looking forward to reading many books by him in the future.
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Summary: Timely and Moving
Review: What an enjoyable reading experience...this novel is one of the most moving I have read. Since so many grandparents are now taking on the responsibility of raising their grandchildren, this novel is timely. The writer never "preaches" about the subject but puts the grandparents into our hearts through the voice of a little boy narrator. What I thought would be a sad novel instead turned out to be one that left me inspired.I can't wait to read more from this writer.
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Summary: A Beautiful and Classic Vehicle
Review: With a cover that evokes Southern pathos, "Slow Way Home" enticed me with its jacket blurb and endorsements. I loved a similar looking novel, "The Secret Life of Bees," and I must say that I was expecting this book to live up to my enjoyment of "...Bees." An unfair expectation, I know. Morris is a formidable writer. He conveys the tale of young Brandon, a child pulled between a wandering mother and a loyal set of grandparents. Morris' characters and dialogue, his descriptions and numerous similes, work effectively. The book is everything one would hope for in a Southern novel. It has humor, racial issues, spiritual moments, family dysfunction, and family honor. Many scenes are worth savoring. And yet, I had a difficult time with it. Unlike "The Secret Life of Bees" or "The Lovely Bones," this novel has no mystery or secrets to drive it forward. For me, it was a beautiful and classic vehicle lacking the gas to propel me along. Yes, the jacket blurb gets it right: this novel will be remembered for the voice of its lead character. That alone is high praise. Although, with a backdrop of mystery, I could've been hooked beyond description. Without a doubt, I'll go back and read Morris' first novel. His writing is sublime.
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