Take Me With You

By: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrated by: Jeff Cummings

August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his 19-year-old son died. Every year he’s spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philip’s ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go.

What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip - and the bonds that develop between them- would prove, driving each to create a new destiny together.

©2014 Catherine Ryan Hyde (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Great characters. But not subtle

She has a knack for telling a good story and the characters are very relatable, but it really could have used a good editor. The dialog is often trite.

Had higher expectations

Would you try another book from Catherine Ryan Hyde and/or Jeff Cummings?

Probably not. I like a meatier book - and usually authors are fairly consistent in their writings.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I liked the plot potential. I think it had potential to be a great story…but I felt like the plot and characters were fairly superficial. Disappointing.

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

I simply liked the male narration - he did a nice job differentiating the different aged men/boys.

Do you think Take Me With You needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. I was patiently waiting for the predictable ending to arrive.

Very good story on many levels

This book, while written by a woman, focuses on men and boys, and on the healing that can be found in nature. The book shows the importance of strong men (in all the good senses of strength) in developing character in boys. In today's world, this is a welcome relief from men being caricatured as either stupid/inept or stupid/abusive. The emotionally intelligent story hinges on the main character's habit of driving his camper to state and national parks during the summers. He inadvertently finds himself, while at a low point in his own life, in the position of taking charge of two young boys for the summer, something he feels compelled to do for the sake of the boys but doesn't really want to do. It's a wonderful story of how the man and boys interact and find healing in each other, while facing problems from the influence of alcohol use whether past or present. I highly recommend this book for anybody who appreciates men and boys, and who likes a good adventure in the wild.

Incredibly sweet story-loved it!

When I first started, I wondered if I'd like it, but it quickly grabbed my heart. There were some parts that kept me guessing. It's a wonderful story! I hope you like it as much as I did!

a feel good book

This is a wholesome story about how alcoholism can destroy, but families and lives can be rebuilt. A former alcoholic takes two boys on a trip in an RV for a summer when their alcolhic father is in jail for muluple DUI's. If you or someone you love has never had the experience of the kind of connection here, it may be painful to read. I, although a victim of unhealthy parenting, was happy about it. It's about healthy things despite some bad circumstances. it's not about murder, infidelity or war- the popular subjects. I appreciate that.