Until We Reach Home

By: Lynn Austin

Narrated by: Ruth Ann Phimister

Length: 16 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

In this sweeping saga, three Swedish sisters endure an 1890s Atlantic crossing, an Ellis Island detention, and various other trials as they struggle to find love, faith, and home.

First came their mother's death. Then their father's suicide. For orphans Elin, Kirsten, and Sofia, life stretches on like an endless winter. When circumstances become unbearable, they write their Chicago relatives, desperate for a safe haven. Soon the three find themselves among the huddled masses bound for America - the promised land of dreams and second chances. Yet amidst the hardships of their journey, these brave young ladies determine to let nothing stop them from reaching a place they can call home.

©2008 Lynn Austin (P)2008 Recorded Books,LLC

Critic Reviews

"Austin, three-time Christy Award winner, scores again with an engrossing tale of loss, determination and hope." ( Publishers Weekly)

Another Great One

Lynn Austin has yet to disappoint me with one of her stories. Always so neatly woven together & mixed with history I find them hard to resist and put down. This is most certainly Christian Fiction, which for me is another added bonus.

Some listeners may feel concerned upon the opening scene where it's implied that something very wrong has happened between an uncle & a niece, but whatever that thing is, it's never mentioned in any detail in the book. It's merely an always lingering fact between some of the characters.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

very enjoyable, hard to put down

I really enjoyed this book, I could hardly put it aside. It was realistic in it's portrail of the struggles one faces as a result of abuse. Yet the message of hope was evident. I quickly fell in love with each of the girls and wanted the best for each. The narrator did a good job over all but her voice seemed a little too mature for a story about young women.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Another Lynn Austin Success

Such a great story! Wonderfully developed characters and lots of surprises. Lynn Austin's skill at depicting historical time periods is amazing. I'm on a quest to read all of her books now. Recording could have been improved...later in the book I could hear the narrator smacking her lips and maybe even turning pages...yikes!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Loved the characters

Would you listen to Until We Reach Home again? Why?

Yes and probably will. I started it because it was written by Lynn Austin

What was one of the most memorable moments of Until We Reach Home?

When Mrs Anderson's heart softened

Which scene was your favorite?

I really enjoyed the buckets catching water from the leaking roof.

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

I laughed and cried. I loved it!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Until We Reach Home

I really enjoyed the book. I thought it well written and touching. The story line was appealing.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Lynn Austin is simply Amazing

I get so carried away when I am reading her books. Lynn Austin is an amazing and gifted writer and while you're reading her novels you become part of her story. She is so detailed on her surroundings and the people that you feel like you are right in the middle of what ever is going on. I love her books and this another great one

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Until We Reach Home

The writing of Lynn Austin is wonderful. She keeps you captivated with each character to the point you don't want to put the book down. I felt like I was in each scene and felt the emotion of each sister as they went from one experience to another. I love how the sisters kept their ties to each other all the way through.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Not up to Austin's usual standard

I have read most of Lynn Austin's books and found them to be well-written and compelling. I felt that in too many instances, the plot was not as fresh, the characters were too typecast and the ending was very predictable. Her writing is still compelling. But I am sure I would have overlooked much of this had the narrator had a younger voice more in line with the age of the characters. She read too slowly as well in between phrases so speeding up the reading didn't solve the problem. Finally, and I include such s long critique because I am usually an Austin fan, the way the characters drew upon their Christian faith came across as if the publisher required x number of words be used and x number of Biblical quotes be used...*except for the part where Ludwig and Sophia used it to understand one another which was very original and believable.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Captivating!

What did you love best about Until We Reach Home?

Characters were relatable! As usual Lynn Austin draws you in and teaches you something in the process!!!

What did you like best about this story?

A happy ending...always gets me...but you must keep the faith!

What does Ruth Ann Phimister bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A wise voice...does that make sense?!

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

Never never never give up...God's got a plan for your life!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Slow start but rewarding by the end

A slow start, I honestly didn't like the characters at the beginning and almost gave up. I'm so glad I stuck with it, it ended up being a beautiful story!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful