Items related to Back Roads
Teenager Harley Altmyer's mother is in prison for murdering his father. What with work, three sisters to care for and a lousy sex life, things surely can't get much worse, or can they? He is about to find out when he begins an affair with a married woman.
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Review:
Not since SE Hinton (The Outsiders) has a female novelist penned such a tough and titillating portrait of lower-class, crime-ridden manhood than Tawni O'Dell in Back Roads. Set in "beautiful, ruined" western Pennsylvania, amid Eat n' Parks and Lick n' Putts, the novel follows Harley Altmyer as he walks a raging, self-conscious line between crime and innocence. Why is he being held by the authorities, and what's he so mad about? In the recent past, it's his mother, who murdered his father and went to jail for life. In the far past, it's Dad himself: an abusive, hopeless man. In the present, it's the responsibility for h is three younger sisters, which makes him fantasize about smashing their faces in until they "spit up bloody macaroni and cheese".
Review:
This first novel opens well. O'Dell does an impeccable job of making Harley both brutal and forgivable but Back Roads risks becoming an overabundant affair, pitched high, with a roller-coaster trajectory. Harley' s anger metamorphoses into an almost bloodthirsty lust for his sexy, middle-aged neighbour, which stirs up myriad forbidden family secrets. Misty, it turns out, has been hiding something. Amber revolts. And even Jody's scribbles turn malevolent. While the writing is good throughout, the tension and plotting assume an unpleasant adolescent posture--bodice-ripping passion and mordant gloom combined. Nonetheless, O'Dell's assured and touching portrait of her protagonist emerges unscathed. You will likely remember luckless, fated Harley Altmyer long after his tsunamic tale has receded. --Jean Lenihan, Amazon.com
A remarkably accomplished debut novel already being compared to The Catcher in the Rye...authentic and captivating. -- Daily Mail
An intense story of family, fraility and dysfunction captivatingly told. -- Chicago Tribune
Heart-breakingly honest...Beautifully written...A journey into the world of dysfunctional despair. -- San Diego Union
Tense, conflicted and involving, o'Dell deftly captures the voice of a teenage boy who's in trouble and facing profound challenges. -- New York Times
An intense story of family, fraility and dysfunction captivatingly told. -- Chicago Tribune
Heart-breakingly honest...Beautifully written...A journey into the world of dysfunctional despair. -- San Diego Union
Tense, conflicted and involving, o'Dell deftly captures the voice of a teenage boy who's in trouble and facing profound challenges. -- New York Times
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- PublisherBlack Swan
- Publication date2001
- ISBN 10 0552149675
- ISBN 13 9780552149679
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages352
- Rating
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Back Roads
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Transworld Publishers Ltd
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ISBN 10: 0552149675
ISBN 13: 9780552149679
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Back Roads This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9780552149679
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner. Seller Inventory # CHL4317077
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9780552149679
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Book Description Condition: Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 38918344-20
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Book Description Paperback. Condition: Good. No Jacket. Good condition paperback pictorial laminated cover, no DJ. 351 pages good and clean with clear print. Minor spots of foxing on edge of pages. No previous names. Seller Inventory # 018309
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