Take Me With You

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his 19-year-old son died. Every year he’s spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philip’s ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go.

What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip - and the bonds that develop between them- would prove, driving each to create a new destiny together.

©2014 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

It is all about the journey . . .

Take Me With You is one of the best audio books I've listened to . . . It hit home with me, as it will with many people. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a gift for seeing below the surface, for cutting through the superficial and laying open the truth. The relationship that August builds through the years with Seth and Henry changes all three of them in ways that they never could have expected. Yet, after spending that first magical summer together, Seth and Henry return home to their alcoholic father, where they live with him until they are grown. That is "their story", but only part of their story. I appreciate the honesty of the author's writing. Wes, Seth and Henry's father, is MORE than an alcoholic, he's an ace mechanic. He fiercely loves his boys. He never gouges his customers. He is a single father, who happens to be an alcoholic. And he is deeply jealous of the love his boys have for another alcoholic, August . . . who has been sober for many years. I grew up with an alcoholic father. He was the best man I ever knew. I loved him . . . and I hated him. I always wanted more of him. Because of him and our journey together, I am the person that I am today. It's all about the journey.

unexpected depth

Always enjoy this author. I like how ordinary people become champions. I like how children rise to the occasion and in their own way add depth to the subjects explored. I do find the readers often have excellent voices for the main character but silly voices for sub-characters and this one is no exception. I'd rather they didn't try so hard to make the voices different (or go the high budget route and employ another reader for the children or opposite sex)

I loved this Audible!

A heartwarming story that moves you to tears and laughter numerous times across the book. I thought the narrator and his narration deserves 100 stars! Just outstanding.

Very good choice if you want a "feel good" book!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This was really great...imo anyway! While at times it may feel a bit corny or G rated to some, it still did not seem dull/boring or annoying. I did get emotional at times (I'm way too sensitive) by the kindness between characters. Even as I'm typing this review and look back at the best parts, it still gets to me.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Take Me With You?

How can I choose?!! Oh if I go with the first one that comes to mind.....I'd have to go with the ending, or the last 1/4 of the book.....(without spoilers but difficult)....the part that is flash forwarded/advanced to show the boys are older now and how that "surprise" came together for the boys and for August.

What does Jeff Cummings bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I think that the depth of characters may have been muffled had I read the hard copy alone. From the harsh tone and attitude of their father, to Henry's innocence and progression as he got older, those were well done and a large part of why I loved this one!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It would have been nice to, if I'd had the time. But I was eager to get back to it, more than most books.

Any additional comments?

$5 says this book could be done well as a movie, I thought that at the very beginning!

interesting story

character development could have been better but it's still enjoyable. that's all folks... .out