Fly Away Home

A Novel

By: Jennifer Weiner

Narrated by: Judith Light

Length: 13 hrs and 15 mins

Publisher's summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author, a novel about three very different women who become friends while seeking refuge in an old beach house.

Sometimes all you can do is fly away home....

When Sylvie Serfer met Richard Woodruff in law school, she had wild curls, wide hips, and lots of opinions. Decades later, Sylvie has remade herself as the ideal politician’s wife—her hair dyed and straightened, her hippie-chick wardrobe replaced by tailored knit suits. At 57, she ruefully acknowledges that her job is staying twenty pounds thinner than she was in her twenties and tending to her husband, the senator.

Lizzie, the Woodruffs’ younger daughter, is at 24 a recovering addict, whose mantra HALT (Hungry? Angry? Lonely? Tired?) helps her keep her life under control. Still, trouble always seems to find her. Her older sister, Diana, an emergency room physician, has everything Lizzie failed to achieve—a husband, a young son, the perfect home—and yet she’s trapped in a loveless marriage. With temptation waiting in one of the ER’s exam rooms, she finds herself craving more.

After Richard’s extramarital affair makes headlines, the three women are drawn into the painful glare of the national spotlight. Once the press conference is over, each is forced to reconsider her life, who she is and who she is meant to be.

©2010 Jennifer Weiner, Inc (P)2010 Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Not Bad

At first it was hard for me not to listen to Judith Light and think of her as Angela on "Who's the Boss" or the Judge on "Law and Order" but after a while, I got used to it. This book showed that all families have issues, even wealthy political ones. Very explicit sex scenes.

An Enjoyable Read

I thought Judith Light was an excellent narrator and although the book was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed it.

Love Judith Light

I don't know if I would have liked this book as much as I did without Judith Light's narration. She did a terrific job. I especially loved her "Milo." I could relate to characters and events which may have increased the enjoyment. It was a great book to listen to on my way to and from work. Not much to think about, but interesting enough to hold attention. I hope the narrator does more.

Fabulous listen - I was so sad when it was over!

This is one terrific chick book! Judith Light is amazing at portraying these well-developed, interesting characters with whom you will feel a connection. Also, it has enough sex and secrets to make it a little naughty. I highly recommend this!!!

Couldn't get close to the characters

In my chronological journey through Jennifer Weiner's novels, I've come to sympathize with her characters less and less. Something about how the characters develop from lack of self-awareness to understanding the big picture that is a bit off, I can't really explain it. Having said that (as vaguely as possible), again, the story was strong enough that I wanted to stick with it and discover how it all shook out. There were strong plot elements - a senator's wife playing the role until she discovers he cheated on her, the type A daughter with the perfect career as a doctor, perfect home and family - who is also a cheater, and the recovering addict daughter, struggling to lead a normal life. All these make for a great story, if only I found the characters a little less irritating.

Loved the character depth.

Characters were very human . It was hard to put down because I wanted to find out what path they chose next.

It was pretty good

This was the first book from this author but I really like the story line it kept me listening
Thanks for the good book will be looking for more from her

Very slow!

It was just ok. I struggled to stay interested. I really disliked the ending.

Entertaining Enough

By now the story has become iconic: for a variety of reasons, a relationship ends, leaving the woman to grieve a while, and feel sad. She then starts a new program of losing weight, going back to school, travel, a new job, lunching with friends while she mourns, anything new will do. She becomes New And Improved Woman. In the course of one of these new pursuits, she meets a correspondingly wounded but willing New And Improved Man.

The two hit it off right away, have a brief hiatus during which they adjust their emotional gears, and then it's back in the saddle just in time for Christmas, Thanksgiving or some other holiday where everyone and his/her extended family get together. Maybe a pregnancy or two is thrown in for extra tears and joy. The novel ends with a joyous scene at the end, preferably with attenuated descriptions of food and decor, with everyone trotting out their New And Improved features.

It would be nice, just once, to read a novel where a New And Improved Woman ends up with simply herself, no match mate required.

Jennifer Wiener is a seriously funny and gifted writer even though her topics can seem a bit tired and passe. I enjoyed this book but I could read it while working.

Judith Light is excellent

Excellent story. Judith Light needs to read more books. She has an excellent voice perfect for audible books.