Homecoming

By: Belva Plain

Narrated by: Lindsay Crouse

With unerring insight and emotional power, Belva Plain, in her extraordinary novel, tells the story of a family divided and of the proud matriarch who takes a bold last stand to unite her warring children in what may be their last Homecoming.

It is a crisp December day when Annette Byrne walks to the end of her long, curving driveway and drops five sealed envelopes into the mailbox, quickly, before second thoughts stay her hand. Shortly thereafter, with the holidays approaching, her estranged family will be gathered at her country estate for the first time in years.

The sons. . . two brothers embittered by a breach of ethics, honor, and trust. The grandchildren. . . one young couple on the verge of divorce; another, lovingly united against the parents who have tarnished their lives. As the ill-fated meeting hurtles toward a bitter and abrupt conclusion, not even Annette Byrne's indomitable will can heal the rift--until a shattering event alters the landscape forever.©1992 John Bradshaw; (P)1992 John Bradshaw and Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, Bantam Doubleday Dell Audio Publishing, A Division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Uplifting."
--Library Journal

"Belva Plain writes with authority and integrity."
--San Francisco Chronicle

A Main Selection of the Literary Guild

Healing

Attention all co-dependents, and addicts (If that's not you, you could be in denial..) Get this book. It is basic to your healing, because you'll understand the root of your suffering.

One of my best books

This is one of the most transformative book I listened to by far. Deep and funny

Life changing

This is a must read for anyone who was ever a child! I highly recommend it.

Transformative

Overall I can't complain about my family or my education. My parents did the best they could, and avoided mistakes other parents did. However, the problem is not what your parents did, but how you perceived it and how it ultimately affected you. This program, in its simplicity, allowed me to have many "ah ha!" moments that explained some of my most deeply rooted behaviors and responses. I don't think it can replace the work with a therapist for deep traumas, but for sure it can help you grt an hindsight on your own development.

Developmental Tasks

Homecoming. narrated by John Bradshaw who wrote the book was a Five star listening experience for me. I always appreciate an audio book so much more when it is 'coming from the author's voice.

In. Homecoming I first want to. bring to your awareness that the audio version is abridged.
John Bradshaw takes us back to our childhood's and we explore three developmental stages.
Very often during listening he tells us to pause the audio and write with our non dominant hand.

If these three stages of early development didnt take place, work with a therapist can help us to complete them. So we can't go back and relive our childhoods to do these developments right. We are not doomed. There is hope. We nust need to do the work with a therapist.

Adjust Child in Progress

John is an incredible speaker. His passion for his work explodes out of this series. This book is a great balance of intimacy and public speaking. You really get to experience both sides of Bradshaw. His guided meditations mix well with this material and really force the reader to slow down, feel and think about those feelings. What a wonderful and motivating speaker. He carries audiences on an emotional and spiritual journey. This man has changed so many lives. He offers a new way of thinking.

I highly recommend looking into Adult Children of Alcoholics before reading or experiencing this book. It is a 12 step program for people who grew up in dysfunctional families. The support and material is in the program. John builds on these guidance principles.

I’m a Self-Help Skeptic, But This Book is Worth a Read (or two or four)

I was skeptical at first, in part because this book is so old. And yes, while it is certainly dated at points and the editing need some help, it offered me tools and information to help me get unstuck at the next level. I also felt pretty unsure about the idea of addressing an inner child at first. It wasn’t until I started to do the exercises and access memories of my younger self that I began to understand the concept of a wounded inner child that needs healing in order for the adult of today to have a healthy relationship with self and others. If you remain skeptical of this world, I recommend you check out Patrick Teahan’s YouTube channel. He is a licensed social worker who specializes in childhood trauma. In case you’re sitting there wondering if your experience counts as trauma, The answer is probably yes. Patrick’s channel is a great place to start. He recommends this book to all of his clients at the start of their counseling relationship. Best of luck! There is hope.

Best Book

John just hit home on so many occasions! It was like he lived with me growing up.

No.1 in my list of recommendations.

I'm speechless, what a wonderful book!
If you want to work with yourself, healing the wounds of the past
this book is a great first step.
Easy to understand, easy to follow, and you get very powerful results as soon as you finish every chapter.
I just bought another book from this author to see what else can I learn.

quintessential inner child healing work.

there is something really wonderful about hearing your healing story being told by the man himself. John Bradshaw is like the sweet Grandpa your inner child always needed.