Calling Me Home: A Novel

Quite likely. The choice in Lorna Raver and Banhi Turpin as narrators was a good one... voices nearly pitch-perfect, though Lorna Raver's voice could get a little over-dramatic, and Bahni Turpin uncharacteristically read a couple passages with less inflection that called for. These instances were rare, and it was an enjoyable read

When Dorie found out who broke into her office and why... the anger came right through.

And the heartbreak of Isabel losing Robert

Both Dorie and Isabel. They obviously took center stage, and some of the other characters weren't as flushed out... but they were great!

Both, in parts... the scene with the hotel night manager made me laugh out loud

Great book, depicting the complex race relations that are still ongoing today. Tackling it both from a white and African-American perspective - peeling back the layers of prejudice on both sides - was well done.

Yes, it was a suspenseful tale of heartache and loss.

The comparisons of Dorrie's and Isable's lives even when they were so different.

I have long enjoyed Bahni Turpin as a narrator, which is what led me to this book, and along with Lorna Raver, they tell this story well. Unfortunately, the story does not do their fine narration justice. Didn't the author read any real history before crafting this? In her attempt to develop a story of star-crossed lovers, she really only reinforces images of a selfish, privileged white girl then woman who cannot understand why she cannot get her way. As a young woman she ruins the lives of a black family who has worked in service to hers since before her birth. Then as an old lady, she enlists her black hairdresser into service as a companion and driver during a period when the black woman clearly needs to be at home tending to her own family. Of course, in typical white savior fashion, in relating her story over the course of the journey, she helps the poor black woman, who has been incapable of forming a decent relationship with men. Sadly, I suspect Ms. Kibler thought she was just telling a story, but with the psychotic history the United States has with regard to race, one must take greater care in developing a story as complex as she wanted this one to be. In reality, Robert would have been lynched in 1939 Kentucky and there's no way his mother would have still had a job as the family housekeeper. More likely, the family would have had to flee in the night, and there would have been reprisals against the entire black community.

The story was very well written. It was easy to connect to the characters and the plot kept you engaged. Just when you think you have the story figured out, Julie Kibler would throw you a curve ball.

The innocence of Isabella. Even though you know how her story turns out, you keep routing for her and Robert.

Yes, It is rather lengthy but I found myself finding excuses to turn it on and found myself excited to start it back up each time.