From the back of the audio case: In her bestselling
novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the depths of friendship, the loyalty
of sisters, and the secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally
powerful story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled
marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a husband and
wife, in love and at war.
All marriages have a breaking point. All families have wounds. All wars have a cost. . . .
Like
many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face the pressures of
everyday life—children, careers, bills, chores—even as their
twelve-year marriage is falling apart. Then an unexpected deployment
sends Jolene deep into harm’s way and leaves defense attorney Michael at
home, unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As a
mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a solider she has
always understood the true meaning of duty. In her letters home, she
paints a rose-colored version of her life on the front lines, shielding
her family from the truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none
of them could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face his
darkest fear and fight a battle of his own—for everything that
matters to his family.
Read by: Maggi-Meg Reed
My thoughts: I really enjoy books by Kristin Hannah. She creates stories that really tug at your heart and this one was no exception. Home Front takes a hard look on the effects of war, PTSD and grief, while taking the reader on quite an emotional roller coaster. This is definitely a story that needs to be read/listened to with tissues nearby.
Jolene came from a dysfunctional family and when her parents were killed in a drunk driving accident, she decides to enlist in the “high school to flight school” program. She then becomes a Blackhawk helicopter pilot for the National Guard. Michael is a defense attorney who is anti-military and anti-war. They are the parents to two daughters, Betsy and Lulu. Their marriage is not without problems and when Jolene’s unit is called up to be deployed, the family’s whole life is turned upside down.
On top of this, the new client that Michael is defending is an ex-marine who is accused of killing his wife. It is this client who is able to provide some much needed assistance and awareness to Michael and Jolene at a time when both seem lost. But will it be too late?
This is an amazing story of love, determination, stubbornness, hope and loyalty. It takes a look at just what happens on the “home front” when soldiers go off to war and how things can change in an instant. This is a story that will stay with me for a long time – one that I can’t seem to help but come back to, even though I finished it a while ago. Have you read this one yet? Have you read anything that really stays with you, giving you such profound insight into the every day life? To me, Kristin Hannah has hit it out of the ballpark with this one and I look forward to seeing what her next book will bring.
(I borrowed this audio book from the library.)
Bonus Material: Thanks to Esther Bochner at MacMillan Audio, I have a clip of Home Front to share with you.
http://media.us.macmillan.com/
This sounds like an audiobook I'd enjoy. Nice review!
Mary: It's so good. But be sure to have to tissues nearby!
Nice review. I have this book on audio as well. I hope I have time to listen to it as well.
Kristin, I thought this was a great book! (also on audio). It was subject matter that I haven't found often addressed but unfortunately should be.