Long Drive Home

Written by Will Allison

Narrated by Tony Ward

Publishers Weekly calls this moving novel by acclaimed author Will Allison "a tight drama, part psychological thriller, part tragedy." Taking his daughter Sara home from school one day, New Jersey accountant Glen drives his car into another vehicle, killing its driver. Since no one else saw the accident, Glen lies about it to the police-a decision that sends his life spiraling out of control. "Allison's effortless prose and playful genre mixing showcase a burgeoning talent."-Publishers Weekly

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 17, 2011
• ISBN: 9781461849476

Reviews for Long Drive Home

[kristinjordan_1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

So disappointing. I was so excited to get this book from the library. The premise is great, who hasn't had road rage, but that is about as far as it gets. The characters become annoying and the ending was just awful. I also didn't like the fact that the last 20 pages of the book were a preview of the author's new novel. Not worth your time.

[bons_11 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The thought behind this book about one incident caring weight forward that has affect on another decision is a great thought. Actions VS consequences sort of thing. However, I did get to the point where I felt this man was just being stupid and selfish. Road rage is rather a mindless activity. I'd give this author another try but I was glad this book was brief.

[teeth_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was about making bad decisions and what happens when those decisions are made. Glen Bauer causes a car accident in which a young man is killed.

[txwildflower_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

If only we could take back some of the decisions we make in life. That's what the character Glen Bauer thinks as his world shatters after he makes one bad mistake......lying about an accident in which a young boy was killed. His marriage falls apart and his daughter looks at him in a different way. He once had everything and then he has nothing. I will look up this author's first book "What You Have Left" and put it on my to-read list.

[loried_5 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I thought the book was a real page-turner. It was thought-provoking, and I think it would be a good choice for book discussion groups. There could be good discussions about the moral dilemmas presented in the book as well as marital and parenting issues.

[mestahler · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I finished the book but skimmed the middle. It is about a man who lies about a car accident and the lies he has to tell to support that lie and then his life falls apart. Depressing.

[mathenam_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The premise of this book was great, in theory. Who hasn't had a moment of road rage they wish they could take back? The story is told partly through letters to the daughter, who witnessed the accident. The father feels extremely guilty, but does nothing to ease his guilt. The ending is extremely open-ended, and doesn't resolve anything.

[laluna179 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book is about how a simple impulsive act can make ones life spiral out of control. One lie turns into more and guilt threatens to destroy an otherwise happy family. This was a good, short read that left me thinking about the ending. It has one of those endings that can be interpreted in multiple ways. It doesn't come right out and tell you what happens.

[jewelknits · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Narrator Glen Bauer opens this story with a letter to his daughter Sara, 8 years old and 6 at the beginning of the events of this novel. The letter is written to be given to her much later, when she is able to understand and forgive.We've all had those days - someone cuts you off in traffic and then flips YOU off; a bicycle rider suddenly veers in front of you, causing you to suddenly hit your brakes; then you head out to the highway where someone is riding your tail in the right hand lane at 60 MPH - you may just tap your brakes to give them a little wake-up call. Harmless, really .. after being frustrated by inconsiderate drivers and dangerous moves, you just want SOMEone to pay a bit of attention to what they're doing, right?Glen, who runs a small accounting business from home, has a very bad driving day - with his daughter in the car - one in which another driver confronts him and flashes a gun in his waistband. Then a second encounter with a different driver causes him to make that "little" gesture ... kind of like tapping the brakes - only the other driver is now dead.It really could happen to many of us. And if the police only look at you as a witness, would you admit to your part in it? This narrative shows us how one wrong move can change the course of our lives from better to worse; utterly absorbing and believable, I was drawn in to the pages from beginning to end. A most excellent read.QUOTE (from a galley; may be different in final copy): I remember telling myself people didn't go to prison for accidents. Then again, just because I hadn't meant to hurt anyone didn't mean what I'd done was accidental.Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

[centralcaligrrrl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Glen Bauer writes a letter to his daughter, asking her for forgiveness. But Glen’s not even sure he deserves it. You see, Glen killed a man. He didn’t intend to, but accidents do happen…Long Drive Home by Will Allison is an incredibly tortured narrative told in the first person from Glen’s point of view. It’s the type of tense and emotional story that stays with you long after the last page has been read. Mr. Allison explores a very uncomfortable subject. In all honesty, the tragically pivotal moment in this book could happen to any of us. None of us are perfect. One little slip, one single lapse in judgment can change a person's life forever, sometimes for the worse. Long Drive Home tells the tale of a man, running from his guilt and hoping to find absolution at the end of the road. Does he find it? Sorry -- no spoilers here!(Received complimentary copy for review purposes only.)