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Back Roads
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Back Roads (2000) (edit title/settings)

by Tawni O'Dell (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

Harley Altmyer's mother is in prison for killing his father. So Harley is bringing up his younger sisters and working two jobs to pay the bills-and that doesn't leave a lot of time for distractions. But lately, he's getting distracted by Callie Mercer, an older woman who fills him with such... read more

Summary edit see section history

I was reluctant to pick up this book. I started it a few times and the story line didn't appeal to me. I stated, in another discussion, that I had absolutely no desire to know these characters. Then I tried one more time and then Harley made me want to read more.

Harley didn't try to... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

I was reluctant to pick up this book. I started it a few times and the story line didn't appeal to me. I stated, in another discussion, that I had absolutely no desire to know these characters. Then I tried one more time and then Harley made me want to read more.

Harley didn't try to kill his little brother, it was his friend Skip's younger brother Donny that they would ply with Little Debbie snacks and tell him to do crazy and dangerous things.

Also it was stated by Harley near the end of the book that he was schizophrenic and I believe that he was, but then again I'm not a doctor. But then he ended up in a psychiatric institution. He had so many mean and deadly thoughts that he hadn't acted on except for that girl in his truck. He was a loner and I think he was quite intelligent. If only he was able to go to college and get away from that family he could have been successful. He didn't have a lot going for him and he was torn between living his own life and taking care of his dysfunctional family.

Once we learned of the truth of Misty and her father, everything fell into place for me. And then there was Amber, Harley didn't have a chance since he actually buried the incestuous relationship he had with her.

Now Callie on the other hand. She was a predator, I believe. Here's a kid with so many problems and she's aware of his family history, she thereby more or less molested him. As we've read he stopped bathing and his thoughts started whirling around in his head nonstop for days. She should have known better! I think this triggered his mind to spiral downward. He wanted the love he never had. Except for the love he had for Jody and Elvis.

In the end, Harley did exactly what his mother did with Misty, he took the blame for Amber.

Here's a prophetic paragraph that reminded me of what just happened in our society recently with Casey Anthony.

Harley The biggest surprise is I CAN think about Amber now. Not everything. But some of it. I try to think positively when I think about her future. It would be nice if she had one of those trials like O.J.'s where everybody knows she did it, but they let her go anyway because they don't like the prosecutor's hairstyle. But that s___ only happens on TV.

Donna

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First Sentence edit see section history

All those times me and Skip tried to kill his little brother, Donny, were just for fun.

Series & Lists edit see section history

This is book 35 of 70 in Oprah's Book Club. (authoritative list)

Preceded by Daughter of Fortune, and followed by The Bluest Eye.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. Tawni O'Dell (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Viking Press/Allen Lane
Country: United States of America
Publication Date: January 2000
ISBN: 0-670-88760-9
Page Count: 338

Classification edit see section history

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