Introduction

From an exciting new voice comes a tale of a down-and-out rock-and-roll singer forced to return to the home she fled half a lifetime ago. But taking the long way home has left 34-year-old Tallie Beck looking to retrace some wrong turns--and figure out where she really wants to go.

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Excerpt

"I'm going down this lonesome road,

and where I'm bound it ain't my home."

--Lonely Road, Big Gal Sal

Chapter 1

The sun rises red-hot in the rearview mirror like an Atomic Fireball, one of those jawbreakers that always sounds like a good idea until you're halfway through it and sweating from the cinnamon burn and can't find a good place to spit it out. My eyes water at the mirror's fiery reflection, but after driving all night, even a long blink could mean disaster. And, considering my destination, it feels a hell of a lot better to look back than ahead. I keep glancing up into that light, tracking the sun until it rises out of view and throws hot unforgiving light across endless rows of corn stretching in every direction.

Beneath me, the wheels beat out the rhythm of an old blues song: I got them traveling blues, Lord, they got me down today. The road goes on and on forever, disappearing finally at the edge of the earth into the empty morning sky. A sign flies by: GOODLAND 188, DENVER 432. I wish I was going someplace as happy-sounding as Goodland, but the plan is to arrive in Denver before nightfall.

Ahead, a band of blackbirds stands guard over a lump of roadkill, stubbornly holding ground until only a few yards remain between their prize and my wheels. When I'm close enough to see the blue sheen of their wings, they lift gracefully into the air. I become one of them, flying west over hundreds of miles of sweltering prairie, skimming low and stealthy across the earth's muggy surface. It's only a matter of hours now. I take a deep breath, shift in my seat, grip the wheel tighter. After being AWOL half my life, I'm going home . . . view abbreviated excerpt only...

Discussion Questions

Questions from Publisher's Reading Guide:

1. In the book, almost every character has a coping mechanism—Lee paints, Perry seeks solace by helping people on the streets and Tallie channels Big Gal Sal when she’s anxious. How does Jane deal with the pressures in her life? How is this different from how the others cope? How is it the same?


2. How does Lee’s artwork change throughout the story and what do you think this means? How do these changes relate to her tumultuous relationship with Tallie?


3. On page 284 Tallie, Lee, Emma and Jane are having dinner together. Tallie describes the group as “…the core of our family…intricately connected by blood and time and something else more complicated but much less tangible.” How is this statement general to all families? How is it specific to this one?


3. What prompts Jane to begin to forgive Tallie for running away? Do you think Jane owes Tallie an apology as well?


4. Many of Tallie’s problems—including her alcoholism and emotionally destructive one-night stands—stem from her inability to control the circumstances of her life. What do you think is the turning point in the novel when Tallie is finally able to take charge of her own behavior? When does she finally start accepting responsibility for her actions? Why?


5. Roots are a significant symbol in this novel. In chapter four, Tallie ruins her hair by trying to touch up her roots. Later, Jedd manipulates her with his promise that she will sing in his roots-rock revival band. What is the author trying to tell us about Tallie’s attempts to embrace her roots? What do you think Tallie learns from her attempts to reconnect with her family? Is Tallie’s return a failure or a success? Why?

6. What is Perry’s definition of courage?

7. In what ways does Tallie mature by the end of the novel? In what ways does she still need to grow?

Weblinks

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