Fly Away Home

A Novel

By: Jennifer Weiner

Narrated by: Judith Light

From one of the nation’s most beloved writers, Fly Away Home is an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who seek refuge in an old Connecticut beach house.

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 fifty-seven, 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 twenty-four 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.

Written with an irresistible blend of heartbreak and hilarity, Fly Away Home is an unforgettable story of a mother and two daughters who after a lifetime of distance finally learn to find refuge in one another.

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

I love her perfectly imperfect characters!

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