Long Gone, Come Home

De: Monica Chenault-Kilgore

Narrado por: Bahni Turpin

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Spanning from the joyous peak of the 1930s jazz era to the Great Depression and civil rights movement, Long Gone, Come Home weaves a poetic tale of love, life, and loss as one woman learns the true meaning of home.

Birdie Jennings dreams of a big life beyond her small town of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky—beyond her mundane job tying tobacco leaves at Wrights Factory, beyond her position as the baby of the family. Her life changes when she meets smooth-talking Jimmy Walker. Jimmy makes big promises for an exciting life together, and Birdie is quickly swept off her feet. But some short years after they marry, Jimmy disappears without a trace, leaving Birdie hurt and alone with their two toddlers. Out of money and out of options, Birdie moves back home with her overbearing mother.

Just as she's settling into her new life, Birdie witnesses a gruesome murder and is urged to flee Mt. Sterling to avoid questioning. With nothing but a borrowed suitcase and a questionable note about a house in Cincinnati promised to Jimmy, she travels to the big city just as she and Jimmy dreamed, determined to put her life back together. Plunged into the bustling jazz scenes of the hottest nightclubs and backwoods juke joints, Birdie learns that finding her place among criminals and saints is tough—but she is tougher. Even when some harsh lessons threaten the life she’s created on her own terms…

Lingering today

The harsh realities of living under Jim Crow laws is sobering. Even thought we have crossed into new centuries, unfortunately, the residual still lingers here in America. Sad. Really enjoyed listening to another narration from Bahni Turpin.

Well written story

What a beautiful story! The main character won in the end and for most readers that’s all that matters! Birdie deserved that win! I think as we continue to tell our stories of triumph it will leave hope for the next generation of readers, storytellers and authors!

Beautiful debut

Chenault-Kilgore debuts with a story of a girl turned woman in a family of strong women. We don’t often tell this end of a story - where the experience of young love and marriage and struggle highlights the quiet times women endure. Yet we get a tale we know with a perspective we need - a vulnerable one.

I found myself cheering for love I knew was doomed but wanting the main character to have happiness, so I carried her hope until we both couldn’t. It was a familiar journey. Even in the dark moments, there’s a sense of required strength in the characters. Coupled with the realities of being Black women in America, only one generation from slavery, fills the book with chilling references to those lives and times.

We move through Jim Crow America within a story of a mother figuring out her choices. Its factual references to civil rights leaders, entertainers, educators and more, leaves you in learning mode to expand your historical knowledge. A read that encourages reading as a proper historical fiction story should do. While also allowing witness to a lifetime.

Great work, entertaining until the end.

Phenomenal Story

The character development in this story was exceptional, the storyline touching and relatable for many who know someone whose experiences mirror those of the characters.

Of course the orator.

Nothing. It was a well-written book with a strong interesting storyline. I would recommend this book.

Beauty through pain

The author manages to capture so much optimism and positivity through Birdy, the main character. Despite the times and the suppression, poverty and the darkness of America in the 30s and 40s, a rich, beautiful tale of perseverance and survival shines through. Simple descriptions mirror the straight talking women in this story, which was just like poetry listening to them. The attempts to make Jimmy likeable were more than successful despite him being a dog, and I felt like I was growing and maturing with the young Birdy as she navigated the obstacles presented to her, and throughout all the struggle, never complained and just kept on keeping on. Lovely. Highly recommend this book

First love

As a narrator, Bonnie Turpin stands out as one of the best. The storyline is heartwarming; there’s nothing like your first love. I must read…

Love It

Beautiful easy story.. happy I absorbed this book. I look forward to hearing author’s next novel.

I enjoyed this book

This book was good!! It started out a lil slow, but picked up and kept me intrigued the rest of the way. I wouldn't mind a sequel to this story. Birdie has more to say and do!! I'd also like to hear more things from her sisters and kids. I'd definitely recommend this one.
And of course the narrator!!! My gurl Bahni Turpin will give any book LIFE!!!!

family and love

I love everything about this book the Narrator did a excellent job. I try ti listen to all the books