Amanda W

I'm still swooning over Tom Lamott's mad writing skills, particularly his ability to swap from one point of view (POV) to another while inhabiting each authentically. Challenging enough with a few characters of similar ages, but Lamott's main characters include:

--Joel, a bereaved but still wildly curious two-and-a-half-year-old
--thirty-year-old Teo Erskine, temporary guardian of Joel
--Vic Erskine, Teo's dad

A confluence of circumstances leads the three generations (and accompanying friends and community members) to rebuild their lives together in this heart-warming and quirky novel.

Strengths of Going Home:
--character development, especially of Joel. His explorations and understanding of the world around him are spot-on for a toddler in a quickly changing home environment.
--Vic's Parkinson's disease and his desire to "make up" for his perceived failings as a parent to Teo are thoughtful and considered
--engaging story and pace
--instant "sandwich generation" story
--multi-generational male perspective

Wonderful read!