BACK ROADS

When Oprah introduced BACK ROADS as a Book Club Selection, she noted that it is, among other things, "raw." Indeed it is. Harley Altmayer, 19, is taking care of his three younger sisters after his mother is imprisoned for murdering their abusive father. The abusive history of the family and the overwhelming emotions of love, hate, joy and despair make this a searing story that is often difficult to take but just as hard to forget. Dylan Baker's narration is emotionally fluent; a drollness born of despair is etched into Harley's thoughts and voice. Baker moves easily into the voices of the women in Harley's life--his lover, his sister--and their fears and hopes and love for Harley. He can capture, in a single sentence, both the hopelessness Harley feels when viewing his life and his joy at finding someone who he believes really loves him. Baker conveys the essence of this devastating novel with each word. M.A.M. © AudioFile 2000, Portland, Maine [Published: AUG/SEP 00]