The Road Home

By: Ford Michael Thomas Ford

Narrated by: Blake Somerset

Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

When a car accident leaves photographer Burke Crenshaw in need of temporary full-time care, he finds himself back in the one place no forty-year-old chooses to be--his childhood bedroom. There, in the Vermont home where he grew up, Burke begins the long process of recuperation, and watches as his widowed father finds happiness in a new relationship that's a constant reminder of everything Burke wants and lacks. Exploring local history, Burke discovers an intriguing series of letters from a Civil War soldier to his fianc.

With the help of librarian Sam Guffrey, he begins to research a 125-year-old mystery that seems to be reaching into the present day. The more Burke delves into the past, the more he's forced to confront the person he has become: the choices he made and those he avoided, his ideas of what it takes to be a successful gay man, his feelings about his mother's death, and the suppressed tension that simmers between himself and his father.

Compelling, frankly funny, and often wise, The Road Home is the story of one man's coming to terms with who he is, what he wants out of life, and where he belongs--and the complex, surprising path that finally takes him there.

©2011 Michael Thomas Ford (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

No need to check your scepticism at the door!

At last, a book you don't need to check your scepticism at the door for. The characters feel real. The author doesn't feel the need to wrap up every minute detail, but concentrates on the the protagonist's story line. The "ghosts" in the plot didn't feel contrived, and even the naked swimming ritual at the pond, however bizarre, added to the emotion of the Burk's return home. A really fantastic book.

Unusual! Satisfying!

A technically very well written and superbly narrated piece. Other Amazon reviews have praised and criticized various aspects and deservedly. I appreciated the main character. I related very well to him, sometimes too much! (that is a good thing). I have never read anything else by Ford, this was the first, so that his foray into unusual territories (the pagan thing, the civil war sub-plot, ect) was a pleasant surprise. One review said this was about the protagonist and his father. No, it's not, that's secondary. The story is about a near middle-aged gay man whose trek through life has been far less than expected. He wants more and like many of us, doesn't know if, when or where that's going to manifest. The pagan sub-plot by the way was a bold bit that actually works. I have had a bit of experience in that vein myself, did not work for me, but that's the way she goes. Some of the prose was overly baked and in my view entirely unnecessary and in the beginning nearly caused me to stop the read. Glad I didn't stop, but one star subtracted from the review because of the near miss (LOL). One last thing ... I hope Ford reprises the characters and writes a Part II, I did like it well enough to want more!

Open up your heart

This book was astounding in how it worked to change my mind about my own gay life. My husband seems to agree that the situations were mind changing for us. I believe that anyone could be better as a friend, lover, and human to the their own families and friends. Just listen with an open mind and heart.

A Great Read - Takes You Away from Every Day Life!

The Road Back Home is one read that took me away from much of my everyday life while COVID-19 came into play as a world pandemic. The narrator has a knack for drawing the reader in and immersing themselves in connecting with each character. I felt myself becoming the character, the friend, the friend, the family in this story.
The Road Back Home found me identifying with each character and part of their environments. And last but not least, each character brought a side story to the novel that marries well with the whole plot of the book.
I hated to put this novel down while attending to other daily business, but It is a page-turner and finds you lost in time.

Keep focused

City life is great love it myself, some times though it takes a small town to renew your spirit of where your life needs to go.

I think this story has been sold short.

Maybe it's not the Great American Novel.
Maybe it could be.
Needs a PG version.

A Great Storyline and Characters

Finally a gay themed book that doest have erotic sex scenes every chapter. I love that the author spent time creating a beautiful story with even better characters. I can not wait to start reading the next book in the series.

typical Ford book, I enjoy his stories

This book has several plot twists that I did not expect, the ending was totally expected as far as Blake's love interest is concerned. .
I thought the sex scenes were rather graphic and could have been toned down a little. Felt a little like Fords religious beliefs were being shoved upon me.