No Place Like Home

By: Barbara Samuel

Narrated by: Kristine Thatcher

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

RITA Award Winner, Best Contemporary Single Title, 2003  

No Place Like Home tells the unforgettable story of a family bound together by tradition - and the emotional journey of an estranged daughter risking everything for a second chance at life and love. 

Twenty-one years ago Jewel Sabatino left her childhood behind and never looked back. After a magical taste of fame, she found herself alone with a son to raise and not much else. She survived with the help of Michael, her one true friend. But now Michael is too sick to care for himself, and Jewel has run out of options. She leaves New York for the hills of Colorado, unsure if the family she ran from will welcome her back.

For Jewel, coming home is falling back into a world that smells of Italian restaurants and home-baked pies. It is the laughter of sisters preparing for a summer wedding, and the peaceful haven for a treasured soul mate's last days. It also means facing the unforgiving eyes of a father betrayed by his favorite child - and letting go of a son who is ready to become a man. But most of all, it is the love she discovers in her own wary heart when Michael's brother Malachi unexpectedly arrives on her doorstep.

©2004 Barbara Samuel (P)2004 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Family ties and estrangements. Grief.

STORY BRIEF:
Jewel and Billy had one son Shane. Billy died three years ago. Jewel’s best friend Michael is gay and dying from AIDS. Jewel, Shane, and Michael move to Colorado to be near Jewel’s family during Michael’s last days. Michael’s brother Malachi comes to stay during this time. He and Jewel fall for each other, but they both know he will leave after Michael dies. Malachi has psychological problems about staying in one place. Jewel and her father are estranged.

OPINION:
You can lose yourself in this large family with a lot going on, but it’s a tear jerker. Some readers will love it because of what’s going on in their life, or they’re in the mood to cry. Toward the end I cried about eight times, over different things. I don’t want that. I want entertainment and other things, so this book is not good for me.

A lot of grief and sadness about Michael who is dying. A lot of memories of the past. Not enough story or plot. It doesn’t feel like it’s going anywhere. It’s smells, sounds, sights, memories. It’s days in the life of ordinary people with everyday conversations. Example: “Do you want a beer? I’ll get it.” “No, you stay there, I’ll get it.” But it does have a folksy, homey, comfy thing going on.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR - Kristine Thatcher:
There were three sex scenes. I was uncomfortable listening to them due to the narrator. She sounded like an elderly lady and it was not sexy or sensual. I didn’t want to watch. I normally like reading sex scenes, but not these.

I did not like the narrator’s voice for Shane. He’s 6'2" and 17 years old. He should have a man’s voice. She read him like he was a little boy.

Other than that, her narration was good.

Narrative mode: 1st person Jewel.
Genre: womens fiction, grief.

Still one of my favorites

Some books just stick with you. No Place Like Home is such a beautiful gem. The descriptions are paintings in the mind. I appreciated hearing it come alive after so many years since I read it. A lovely tribute to family, forgiveness, and love.

The story makes my heart sigh

What did you love best about No Place Like Home?

I love the story of how family is all types of things, but the most important is that it comes in all sizes and shapes and the most important is the the love. I read this story about a year ago and I never forgot how it made me feel so good and at the same time sad at how change in life can make one feel funny and yet it is unexpected and surprising.

What was one of the most memorable moments of No Place Like Home?

When MIchael goes to the river to die, I found it so touching and yet so heartfelt that he was willing to die the way he wanted. I also like it when he visited Malikai and Julie in their dreams until they get together, and than he asked them to name their baby after him.

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

She has the gentle and sensuous voice that made the character what they needed to be. It also gave the dimension that the story required to see the relatives and the relationships the way the should be.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Life is a recipe that brings joy.

Any additional comments?

Barbara Samuel's books are heartfelt and full of all the feelings one can have while reading a story. You will like her stories so much that you won't want to stop listening until the very end.

A Story That Touched Me Deeply

i listen to about 10-15 books a month. This is the first book in a very long time that touched me deeply enough to make me laugh out loud and make me cry. I could definitely identify with Jewel as the black sheep of a large extended family. Thank you, Barbara Stanley, for reminding me of the power and importance of Family in our lives.

great story of human relationships

I always love her stories... the graphic sex is actually good because it shows healthy sex between adults but it's not the only part of the story... some people say it wanders but that's how life is... true emotions

Story did not disappoint

A story about love and family. I really enjoyed it. I sometimes laughed and sometimes cried. The performance was strong. I recommend it.

the performance was excellent. I wish the author

would publish a recipe book
l'm not a cook and all the cooking took away from following the story

Warning Graphic Sex.

Fell asleep, woke to Hard core Porn! Disgusting that x rating not avail. horrified

The author has written a fantastic novel!

The author has written a brilliant novel, full of intrigue and suspense! The narration is superb, bringing the characters to life!

Great story

I enjoyed this story but didn’t need all the graphic sex. Not sure I will read another book by Barbara Samuel.