Home Another Way (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: Sarah Graham, Hiram Dennison, Jack Watson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Parrish's debut novel begins with the mother of all Christian fiction clichés: a young urban sophisticate is forced, much to her chagrin, to move from the city to the country. Despite this scenario playing out largely according to the formula (stock rural characters teach said sophisticate important life lessons), the story feels fresh. Parrish's protagonist, Sarah Graham, is unabashedly self-centered, unfriendly, promiscuous and lazy—and amazingly enough, she holds on to these characteristics throughout most of the novel. The conversion she experiences in the brutally poor mountain hamlet of Jonah is full of hiccups and reversals. Just when it seems that Sarah has been rehabilitated, she tosses off yet another casually diabolical thought or action with absolutely no remorse. The people of Jonah are flawed and complicated, too, and Parrish allows readers to savor every moment of genuine, hard-earned human connection. With its vast array of richly imagined characters, its humor and its substance, this debut is sure to resonate with a wide and appreciative audience. (Oct.)
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Review

"...written with heart and soul. It is always refreshing to read books with imperfect characters; they seem more real." -- Romantic Times Book Reviews

"Christa Parrish manages the rare accomplishment of telling a very good story peopled with flawed and very human characters." -- Lynn Spencer, All About Romance (LikesBooks.com)

"Parrish ... adeptly avoids the clichéd happily-ever-after ending while still leaving the reader satisfied." -- Cindy Crosby, FaithfulReader.com

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Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764205234
• ISBN-13: 978-0764205231
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #146,847 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant debut!, September 7, 2008

By	Rel Mollet "RelzReviewz" (Australia) - See all my reviews

The loss of her mother at the hand of her father shattered Sarah Graham's childhood. Raised by her embittered Grandmother and starved for love, Sarah only expresses her deepest emotions through her beloved violin. When tragedy once again visits her, any seed of hope is destroyed and Sarah pursues a life littered with poor choices and destructive relationships.

Penniless when her estranged father dies leaving her a small inheritance, Sarah has no choice but to meet the stipulation in her father's will that she stay for six months in Jonah, New York, an isolated mountain community.

With their simple ways and tragedies of their own to overcome, Sarah is both repelled and intrigued as the townsfolk reach out to her hardened heart.

Christa Parrish has written a stellar debut novel in Home Another Way, reminiscent of Nicole Baart and as her publisher states, Lisa Samson. With beautiful prose, authentic dialogue and exceptional storytelling Home Another Way is emotive, challenging and eminently readable.

Sarah's bitterness and hatred toward her father is reflected in her rude and unkind manner, self serving behaviour and inability to love, all ably shown by Christa's honest hand. That Christa still invokes great sympathy for the wounded Sarah is a true indication of her talent. Wonderful characterisation marks each of the Jonah townsfolk from Reverend Jack, his disfigured sister Beth to the devoted mother, Memory Jones. The revelation of their struggles is confronting and often painful to read yet touched my heart in many ways.

Subtly woven into each chapter is Sarah's unwilling and tentative investigation of faith, portrayed with an authenticity that was a joy to read. With a courageous and satisfying conclusion you can be sure I will be reading any of Christa's future tales.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Page Turner!, September 6, 2008

By	Claudia M. Bell "Claudia" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is a real page turner and definitely not your average Christian fiction. From the first to the last page it captivates the reader with its real to life characters. I usually don't find the time to read fiction but this book is one that I simply was not able to put down. Sarah Graham, the main character, as well as all the other people seem so real that you feel like you are in the middle of the plot. This book is not at all preachy. On the contrary, I think that the characters are so life like that Christian and non Christian readers will find it interesting to read even though Sarah is definitely confronted with a world view that's new to her. I recommend this book highly, not just for yourself but it makes also an excellent gift.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Home a different way, June 10, 2009

By	L. Phipps "book lover" (CA) - See all my reviews

Sarah Graham goes to claim her inheritance from a father she hated. The people she encounters in the town, really make the story. I enjoyed the story yet I felt the end came way too quickly and I felt that too much was left not finished. Although it is an easy book to read, it wasn't the best book I have read and I am not sure where all the five star reviews come from?