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There are currently 29 member reviews
for How to Find Your Way Home
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Lee M. (Wentzville, MO)
A Different Love
Emily has a nice apartment, a good job, and her pick of well mannered young men and life is good but she has spent several years trying to find her brother Stephen. After he'd spent four years in prison, he never returned home and has been drifting along living with the homeless. Emily spends time reminiscing about their childhood on Convey Island. Stephen inspired her loved of nature and especially for birds. He knew all about them and they had wonderful camping trips recognizing and identifying them. With not even an address to start with, she's filled with disbelief when she hears Stephen's voice in an adjoining office. Fortunately she is able to track him down and although he looks worse than the rest of the homeless she brings him to her apartment and gives him her guest room. But still there is something missing in both their lives, and if it's not each other what is or what was haunting them. The love between siblings can be very beautiful, even at a young age, and the author imbues it in every word she's written.
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Carol R. (North Mankato, MN)
Sibling Secret
Emily has struggled with finding inner peace in her life because her brother, Stephen, is homeless since his release from prison 15 years ago. When she finally finds him and invites him to her home, the past is slowly revealed. They once shared a happy, supportive family but due to choices made by their mother, the family gradually erodes. Stephen has had a lifelong affection for birds and wildlife and the story culminates in a journey Stephen and Emily take together to realize a dream they had as children. This trip becomes the impetus to reveal the painful secret no one has dared talk about. Life comes full circle as Emily, Stephen, and mom and dad struggle with real and honest conversations that reveal why Stephen went to prison. Excellent topics for book clubs and anyone trying to heal broken relationships.
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Sarah M. (Lancaster, PA)
How to Find Your Way Home
I really enjoyed this heartwarming story of a brother and sister who, due to unfortunate circumstances, were apart for 15 years. I was engaged in the story from the beginning. This well-written novel flowed back and forth in time, relating the details which led to the sibling's separation and their efforts to salvage their relationship. There is suspense as the narrative builds until eventually by the end, the whole story is revealed. The characters' relationships with family and the emotions expressed were realistic and believable. I know nothing about bird watching; therefore, it was interesting to read about the passion of birdwatchers and the descriptions of the wetlands of Canvey Island in England. I think this book would appeal to book clubs, or anyone who enjoys a novel about sibling relationships and family dynamics in general.
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Cindy C. (Withee, WI)
A family finding it's way back to each other
This is a story about a brother and sister, one who is homeless, the other who appears to have everything. The story is told in pieces, as we learn about Emily, about Stephen, and about their past. The ending was appropriate in my opinion. I did feel the story was a little slow at times. I also had some issues with the language as the author is British and used terms unfamiliar to me, that made the book a little harder to read at times. I enjoyed the book, but can't say it was so interesting that I couldn't put it down for days and then come back to it. I did enjoy learning the information about birds, however, and think it might make for an interesting read for anyone that understands birding.
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Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
Finding your way home?
Stephen did find his way home! Lucky man. He could have done it sooner. He was altruistic, but messed up more lives than he saved. I was depressed for much of the book, but the birding was great! What did Stephen expect of Emily? Lots of drama throughout, but little positive resolution for most of the characters (my opinion).
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Patricia L. (Seward, AK)
Not a map to finding a home...
Finding the way home when homeless is, for many, hard to understand. Regan's book is a story about Emily Nelson and her big brother, Stephen and the rather selfish adults responsible for them. The actions of all culminate in a very unfortunate event producing catastrophic consequences that have negatively affect everyone for fifteen years. The story is told from the perspectives of both Emily and Stephen, as they remember their past and analysis the present. There are obvious clues as to the how and why of the family disintegration that has resulted in Stephen being homeless making the end quite predictable.
How to Find Your Way Home should be considered a single story about someone who, because of past events, lack of forgiveness and dysfunctional family dynamics is living on the street. There are many reasons and circumstances that lead to, support and enable homelessness, not the least of which is the wish of those who experience the condition. Understanding and respecting each individual's situation is the first step towards assisting that person to a safe place both mentally and physically that may or may not include a key to a home.
How to Find Your Way Home is recommended as a predictable story about a dysfunctional family and not necessarily a roadmap to ending homelessness.
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Beth P. (Chester, VA)
More birds
I need to preface this review by saying I read this book right after reading Migrations, by Charlotte McConaghy, a book that deserved a 10 star review in my opinion. So it is a little unfair to Katy Regan! Both books dealt with following birds, and the love of them, but that is where the similarity ends. How to Find Your Way Home was a very pleasant book to read. I liked the characters and the idea of a sister finding her brother after so many years of not knowing where he was. I read it almost in one sitting. It was very captivating, and had a twist at the end that no one would see coming. The ending totally affected my thoughts about the book in a very positive way. I thought about the characters and their situation for days after I read it. I definitely liked this book, but didn't love it. I do want to read her other book, so she has piqued my interest for sure.
