Tucker's Way

By: David Johnson

Narrated by: Laural Merlington

Length: 9 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's Summary

After enduring a childhood of horrific abuse and crushing poverty, Tucker seeks refuge in her rural Tennessee home. The three grandchildren she is raising are her only connection to the outside, and her demeanor is purposefully rough. But her world is turned upside down when a new neighbor, Ella, moves into the old McDaniel place next door.

Ella seeks solace on the same country road after overcoming cancer. Although she is Tucker's peer agewise, she was raised in a world of privilege and opportunity. Still, Ella shares a tragic part of Tucker's experience - she also suffered abuse. Hers was at the hands of her husband, a prominent judge in the community and Tucker's sworn enemy.

When Tucker finds herself at risk of losing custody of her beloved youngest grandchild and worse, the child's mother is murdered, she draws support and strength from her new friendship with Ella. These two women from disparate backgrounds form a fierce bond, and they weather life's storms together with faith, love, and determination.

©2014 David Johnson (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Potential squandered... sort of

Pros:
-Great story idea. The plot was a good one with great potential, although the outcome was predictable.
-Tucker is a very interesting character. Everybody else is kind of an archetype.

Cons:
-The narrator: She rendered Tucker well, but Ella's breathy, cloying voice and overdrawn enunciation was not only annoying, it was puzzling in that she almost never changed her tone at all. The rendering of the other characters, especially the men, were all very similar (with the exception of Smiley Carter, which she did well.)
-Editing needed. When I find myself saying out loud, "Please, just get ON with it," the book needs to be more concise. One example is the amount of description that went into April's new clothes.
-Too much internal dialogue. At first it was reasonably effective as we got to know and understand Tucker, but it was overdone.
-Predictable. If you didn't figure out where the plot was going and who "Tiger" was before the mystery developed, you just weren't trying.

Overall, it wasn't a bad book. I finished it. I'm not recommending it to anyone.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Best novel I have read in a long time; anxious to listen to sequels!!!!

Great story. Fantastic narrator. Well developed characters. Being familiar with family codependent dynamics it is rich in every way. Once you start listening/reading you will not want to put it down. PLEASE OFFER SEQUELS WITH WHISPERSYNC!!! Thank you.

46 of 52 people found this review helpful

Okay

While the book isn't particularly well written, it was a story that drew me in and made me keep reading to find out what happened to the characters. There were many times I rolled my eyes at how it was a bit like an after-school special- though seriously- some of the scenes were NOT appropriate at all for that age group! It deals with child molestation and murder- in uncomfortable detail. That said, in spite of the predictability of it, it had an all too human aspect of there being characters that couldn't be characterized as good or bad, but complex, real, abrasive, but true, honest, and often principled. I liked that bit. I have to admit, I regret buying the second book prior to reading the first, but it was a bargain, so maybe I will read the next one. I would not recommend the book, as I think the same themes are dealt with in other books with more subtlety, and without the sappy unrealistic scenes that undermine the trauma of everything that was going on in that family.

78 of 90 people found this review helpful

Almost turned it off, so happy I didn't!

Who was the most memorable character of Tucker's Way and why?

Any additional comments?

When I first started listening to this book I just hated Tucker. A women that chews tobacco and is hateful to her dog is no character I want to read about, or so I thought. I meant to return the book but never got around to it. On the way to the store I realized that I had not successfully downloaded the book I wanted to read and the only thing on my Ipod was this book. Something was better than nothing at all so I, begrudgingly, turned the book back on.

Like everyone else by the second chapter you are hooked! I loved this book so much. It was well written, the story flowed between the characters flawlessly and it was engrossing to say the least.

I had no idea this was a series, having just found that little fact out, this review will be short and to the point, I am dying to get to the next book! Read it, you'll love it.

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Just when you think it's over...

Tuckers way had some difficult parts about child abuse and domestic violence. However, also great friendship and morality issues came up. well worth the read and just when you think it's over there are more surprises!

34 of 39 people found this review helpful

Spellbinding!

Seldom have I read such a well written book. Everything in this story is intertwined together to form a tale of down to earth characters with all the best and worst of mankind. Both the horrors and shortcomings of humanity and the love and loyalty are here. The author drew such vivid characters that listening to this book created visions in my mind of a movie.

39 of 45 people found this review helpful

Painfully and Triumphantly REAL.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book will help a person see through the eyes of those who've been abused. It was at times uncomfortable, and often painfully true. But to see the growth that takes place in the characters when understanding and love enter the scene through a binding friendship is to understand life, and those who live(d) with abuse.

19 of 22 people found this review helpful

vivid main characters, somewhat slow

Tucker is a one off, and the story of her relationship with the other main character, the ex wife of Tucker's life enemy seems real and endearing. However, the plot is a bit melodramatic and some of the dialogue is stiff; But you won't run across another character soon who has the unique individual power, authentically portrayed here, of Tucker, and I suggest that it is worth getting through the few stiff parts in order to meet her, and live a bit in her world.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

A really powerful and inspiring novel!!

Tucker's Way is so much better than I expected. It is Book 1 in the Tucker series. Tucker is a grandmother living in poverty in rural Tennessee with her three grandchildren during the 1970's. The narration is pitch perfect.

Audible allows readers to return audiobooks they do not like. I doubt than anyone will ever return Tucker's Way. My advice: just get this book!!

15 of 18 people found this review helpful

Other Side of the Tracks in Tennessee

So revolting, sad and utterly WRONG were the beginning paragraphs of this book, that I found myself cringing, nearly stopping the audio and requesting a refund . . . and I'd think you were a nut job or pervert if you felt any other way . . . generational curses abound in Tucker's life, and for a long time, I was worried that I would be forever wading through nothing but abuse after abuse . . . of which I am no stranger . . . always hopeful, always believing in God's mighty hand, I kept marching on . . . the narration was stellar . . . and when Ella came on the scene, a spark of light ignited that began an awakening . . . I think what I appreciated most of all about Tucker's Way is that it is honest . . . no excuses, no blame throwing, Tucker calls it like it is, plain and simple . . . and underneath that inch thick exterior is a heart of gold. It's a book I won't soon forget . . . abuse and generational curses do not only lie with the disadvantaged or so called lower class . . . although it may appear that way . . . the rich and mighty may have more resources available to them to aid in covering up their sins, but they are just as evil and maybe more so than their less fortunate neighbors. And none are hidden from our maker. Tucker's Way is a mighty work of fiction, that mirrors our fallen world more accurately than any of us would like to admit. Can't wait to listen to the sequel. Good job, David Johnson.

22 of 27 people found this review helpful