A Thousand Roads Home

 

Meet Tom…

Or Dr O’Grady, as he used to be called. When you pass him on the street, most people don’t even give him a second glance. You see, Tom isn’t living his best life. Burdened by grief, he’s only got his loyal dog, Bette Davis, for company and a rucksack containing his whole world.

Then there’s Ruth and her son, DJ, who no longer have a place to call home.
But Ruth believes that you can change the world by helping one person at a time – and Tom needs her help…

I have loved each and every one of Carmel Harrington's novels and now adding A Thousand Roads Home to that list it is clear to see that this is a remarkable author who can be relied upon to provide a novel to pull at the heart strings and to shine light on very real and raw topics.

A Thousand Roads Home follows the story of Ruth and Tom with each chapter switching between each character’s points of view as we move back and forth in time building a vivid picture of their lives and struggles that they have faced. Ruth is mum to DJ but they have now found themselves homeless and she is desperate to provide for her son despite her daily struggles. Tom knows what it is like to be homeless as he has been sleeping on a park bench for ten years. As the pair unite, they find comfort in each others company and shows that solidarity and support is what they both need.

I have read a few books now who have a main character who has autism however none have taken the direction that Carmel Harrington has with Ruth being a parent and showing the effects it has on a mother and son relationship. She really does have a heart of gold even if she may unintentionally say or do the wrong thing from time to time and I was really hoping for a positive outcome for her and DJ. DJ is a pure delight too, he is very honest at times with certain things he struggles with in relation to his mum and their situation and this comes across well, he did seem a lot older than ten years old but I believe this is a consequence from the responsibilities he has in helping his mum.

Our little hidden gem that is our dear Tom, well what can I say I just wanted to reach in and pull him out of the book and give him the biggest hug and help him back on his feet. His story is a heartbreaking one that is delivered with such tenderness and care.

I was so immersed by this storyline, it is emotive and insightful with characters who are so well developed. There was such depth to this story with so many challenging issues tackled along the way the author raises awareness whilst creating a beautiful storyline that I didn’t want to end.

Kindle               Paperback