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.

Good Book

This is the first book of Jennifer Weiner's that I have read. Judith Light did a wonderful job narrating. Story was slow in spots but overall would recommend reading.

Loved the narrator, but the story was lacking

The narration of this book kept me listening, but I feel like the story missed a lot. Not a great wrap up on the characters at the end, and a lot of wishy washy naïveté in the women characters. Selma was the best of the bunch.

And the sex scenes were weirdly placed considering how vanilla the rest of the book was. They didn't bother me, but they felt like an after thought to try and liven up what was ultimately a pretty boring book.

Enjoyable

First, I'll say that I did enjoy the book. Some books i kind of strap on and listen as if I'm logging minutes to finish. But I did enjoy this story, especially the character of Sylvie's mother, which Judith Light hit dead on. That being said, I must admit my disappointment that this is basically a story of "women's issues" which is a category of movie and book that I avoid at all cost. When I think of Jennifer Weiner, I think of quirky characters without such predictable stories. But alas, Fly Away Home is just an enjoyable story of three very predictable, stereotypical women who "find themselves" (another thing I hate about women).

One other thing, the oldest daughter's son Milo is apparently the first 3 year-old in grade school or at least that is how Judith Light portrayed him. Listening to her narration of his voice was very sad.

3 stars is just about right!

Special

Loved this book! Judith Light was amazing and so peaceful to listen to. Thank you

Wonderful!

A well writtne story, spanning all age groups. I REALLY enjoyed this book and never wanted it to end.

Enjoyable, but forgettable

I decided to sit down and do all of my reviews today. When I came to this title, I remembered enjoying it while I was listening (as I do with all of Jennifer Weiner's stories), but honestly can't remember a thing about it even though I only got it a month or so ago.

Slow but good

What did you love best about Fly Away Home?

I loved the difference between all of the characters. It really helped the storyline and the interactions between the characters. I also loved the setting once the wife got to the summer home. It made me want to be there with her.

Which scene was your favorite?

The Thanksgiving dinner scene was very interesting - lots of different emotions involved.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't have any extreme reactions. I felt that the book was slow and somewhat repetitive.

Any additional comments?

I liked the reader and the different voices she used.

I love her perfectly imperfect characters!

Narrator was excellent!
I am on a Jennifer Weiner kick- this book was just in time!

Not Weiner's Best

Would you listen to Fly Away Home again? Why?

No, too many books to go back and re-read a mediocre book. But I usually do not read books twice.

Would you recommend Fly Away Home to your friends? Why or why not?

Probably not, I would recommend other books by Weiner

Have you listened to any of Judith Light’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Judith Light is a fabulous narrator, switching from male to female voices easily as well as believably. Her reading style is probably the sole reason I stuck with this book. I even went into the site to look for other books she had narrated and was disappointed to see that there were so few.

Who was the most memorable character of Fly Away Home and why?

Diana was the most memorable character for me, however, I did not like her. The story revolves around her marital indiscretions, her younger sister's addictive and juvenile behavior and their mother's attempts to "come to terms" with her senator-husband's infidelity. The story was "predictable" and lacked Weiner's usual humor and punch. The women all seemed like spoiled brats. Would not recommend. Read Good in Bed to truly get the flavor of Weiner's writing style.

Any additional comments?

Please offer more books read by Judith Light; she is on a par with Barbara Rosenblat, another of my favorite readers

Light, easy book

After listening to a really heavy novel, I needed this lighter book to ease the tension on my commute! A good story about a family that doesn't get tied into a nice little bow at the end. I really enjoyed Judith Light as the narrator as well. Best voice for an audio book I've heard in a long time!