Helpful Score: 3
This book made me cry! I could not put it down! Amazing story that seems so realistic. I can tell the author spent alot of time researching with this story. A must read!!
Helpful Score: 2
This was my first book by Kristen Hannah and I have to say I was by no means disappointed. Exactly the opposite really. The cover of this beautiful book is enough to draw you in but after reading the summary on the back I had to read it. Kristen Hannah did an amazing job with this book. I felt as if I was there and the connection I had with these charaters (each one on a personal and emotional level) was so real to me. The story portrayed through her words on these pages was nothing short of amazing. After reading and even during I felt closer some how to my military life in which I honestly barely know. This book gave me an eye opener and dared me to ask questions to my husband that normally I would never have asked. Don't get me wrong this book is not by any means just for military families. I believe everyone could benefit from seeing the points of views portrayed by the charaters and seeing how this story unfolds. I will admitt I shed so many tears while reading. It seems like almost every page had me emotionally. But don't let that scare you, this book is well work any tissues you might go through. :)
Helpful Score: 2
Kristin Hannah fans will not be disappointed with this book. You will get so involved with all the characters and get a realistic insight into being at war and the aftermath the soldiers live through once they are back home. I cried throughout the whole book as I felt for all the characters. Very good story. I highly recommend!
Helpful Score: 1
If this book is not a tear jerker, I don't know what is. I read this book in five hours in one sitting, and cried my eyes out for at least 4 of those hours.
First of all, I like that this book breaks the traditional roles of men and women by having the woman of the family being the soldier out in battle. Kristin Hannah definitely handled that well and their conflicts are entirely believable.
Another thing I wanted to point out is that Kristin Hannah does a really great job writing about long-lasting friendships and how those bonds can help people make it through tough times. Another excellent book of hers is Firefly Lane, which, if you haven't read it, is about one such friendship and how it is affected throughout the years.
The book is split into two parts, and both parts are very emotional, albeit, tugging at different emotions. I can't go into much detail here without spoilers, but the character growth is astounding, but believable as well. The two main characters are Michael and Jolene (or Jo from now on). Jolene is the soldier, the mom, the wife. Michael is her other half. Jolene is the strong one, I liked her character from beginning to end. She goes through changes, but in the end, emerges stronger than ever.
Michael on the other hand, is a weakling in the beginning. I can honestly say that I hated him, he was whiny, self-centered, and gave little to no attention to his family at all. His reasons were understandable, but I just couldn't bring myself to like such a character. Thankfully, the his growth as a character throughout the book really gives him a 180 and by the end, he becomes a likable person.
One last thing I want to mention is that this book is about war. War affects everyone; the soldier, their families and friends, and those tragedies and horrors should be more apparent and known to the rest of society. This book does that, one reader at a time. No matter what you think of the politics behind a war, always support the men and women who lay down their lives to protect those of us at home.
I'm glad I read this book, it really opened my eyes and made me appreciate the dedication our servicemen and women have.
First of all, I like that this book breaks the traditional roles of men and women by having the woman of the family being the soldier out in battle. Kristin Hannah definitely handled that well and their conflicts are entirely believable.
Another thing I wanted to point out is that Kristin Hannah does a really great job writing about long-lasting friendships and how those bonds can help people make it through tough times. Another excellent book of hers is Firefly Lane, which, if you haven't read it, is about one such friendship and how it is affected throughout the years.
The book is split into two parts, and both parts are very emotional, albeit, tugging at different emotions. I can't go into much detail here without spoilers, but the character growth is astounding, but believable as well. The two main characters are Michael and Jolene (or Jo from now on). Jolene is the soldier, the mom, the wife. Michael is her other half. Jolene is the strong one, I liked her character from beginning to end. She goes through changes, but in the end, emerges stronger than ever.
Michael on the other hand, is a weakling in the beginning. I can honestly say that I hated him, he was whiny, self-centered, and gave little to no attention to his family at all. His reasons were understandable, but I just couldn't bring myself to like such a character. Thankfully, the his growth as a character throughout the book really gives him a 180 and by the end, he becomes a likable person.
One last thing I want to mention is that this book is about war. War affects everyone; the soldier, their families and friends, and those tragedies and horrors should be more apparent and known to the rest of society. This book does that, one reader at a time. No matter what you think of the politics behind a war, always support the men and women who lay down their lives to protect those of us at home.
I'm glad I read this book, it really opened my eyes and made me appreciate the dedication our servicemen and women have.
Helpful Score: 1
This book has me thinking about so many things from dealing with childhood issues to communicating with family to what our heroes really deal with in the war and returning home. This powerful story is one of the best I have read in years and one that I will read over and over again.
Helpful Score: 1
As always, Kristin Hannah's writing and characterization is fabulous in this new novel. If you want to know what serving in Iraq is like, this book will teach you. It is not a book to read in public, as you'll find yourself crying over and over again. That being said, I couldn't finish it. It was, in a word, Depressing. Even before the war, you have a wife with a terrible past. She has a "happy go lucky" attitude now, but it just seems fake. You have a husband who hates his life and his marriage, and who doesn't even support his military wife. Their teenage daughter is moody, mean, and just lost. Even the cute little 4 yr old cries too much and goes "invisible" when she's sad. Which is often. The only positive character is the mother in law, but even she has her demons. The reader is dealing with all of this negativity, and then the wife goes off to war. Now it gets really depressing. While I appreciate Hannah realistically describing war, it's not a book to read to escape. Couldn't there be just one bright spot in this book? I read about half of it, and then skipped to the end. It was too much of a downer for me.
Helpful Score: 1
I picked this book up ad read it cold, I had NO IDEA what it was about or anything. I can say I have never had a book touch me so much. I was so emotional, I felt the emotions of every character. I was mad,sad, loyal, angry, scared, it as amazing how you get drawn into the feelings of each charater. GREAT job.
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2012/02/home-front.html
Home Front is a story of a soldier and her family. It is a story of war. But not the political or national or ideological view of war. A story of war from the perspective of those who fight and those who love them - on the home front.
Jolene is a member of the National Guard. She joined the military out of need following a very difficult home life and childhood. Michael and Jolene have a troubled marriage as both struggle to cope with their past and their expectations. They have two children - Betsy and Lulu.
Everyday life is about children, schools and careers. Michael is an attorney. Jolene flies Black Hawk helicopters for the National Guard. Life goes on. And, then, Jolene is deployed. The book then deals with what happens after - soldiers on the front, those at home trying to cope, and veterans when they return home.
I do not know many military families. So, I can't say how accurate a picture this book portrays. For me, it was a heart wrenching image of the sacrifice soldiers and their families make. No matter what the differences that create a war, the sacrifices of the soldiers on any side of a war are immense.
The story is a dramatic one. This book is not a political discussion on the "right" or "wrong" of war. It is rather a tribute to individual soldiers and a commentary on the veteran's services provided for them.
***Reviewed for the GoodReads First Reads Program***
Home Front is a story of a soldier and her family. It is a story of war. But not the political or national or ideological view of war. A story of war from the perspective of those who fight and those who love them - on the home front.
Jolene is a member of the National Guard. She joined the military out of need following a very difficult home life and childhood. Michael and Jolene have a troubled marriage as both struggle to cope with their past and their expectations. They have two children - Betsy and Lulu.
Everyday life is about children, schools and careers. Michael is an attorney. Jolene flies Black Hawk helicopters for the National Guard. Life goes on. And, then, Jolene is deployed. The book then deals with what happens after - soldiers on the front, those at home trying to cope, and veterans when they return home.
I do not know many military families. So, I can't say how accurate a picture this book portrays. For me, it was a heart wrenching image of the sacrifice soldiers and their families make. No matter what the differences that create a war, the sacrifices of the soldiers on any side of a war are immense.
The story is a dramatic one. This book is not a political discussion on the "right" or "wrong" of war. It is rather a tribute to individual soldiers and a commentary on the veteran's services provided for them.
***Reviewed for the GoodReads First Reads Program***
Yes, five stars! As a retired female military member who raised her children during her mitary career, this story touched me. I didnt experience what the MC did but so many have. Have the tissues ready when you read this book.
I am not a crier....have never cried reading s book or watching a movie. Maybe I can blame it on menopause...or that this book really hit home. From the time the main character deployed, I cried every time I picked up the book. As I read this book, my son-in-law deployed to Afghanistan leaving behind my daughter, 2 yr old granddaughter and 1 month old grandson. They had those difficult conversations about how war changes you...how he will not come back the same person. I have also seen the effects of the war with friends and other family members.
This was a great book...be sure to have the Kleenex handy....
This was a great book...be sure to have the Kleenex handy....
Truth time I stayed up all night last night reading Home Front and bawling my head off. Don't like war stories. This book was read for my book club, and while the writing was excellent, it was the topic that was toxic for me. Consider yourselves warned.
I will re-post at the end of the month after book club.
I will re-post at the end of the month after book club.
An engaging, depressing, yet fascinating and inspiring story about a mother and wife, who goes to Iraq to fly helicopters. She is torn between duty to country and duty to her family. Her husband has to deal with the family life and his career in his wife's absence. It was a very emotional tale about war and what PTSD does to our returning soldiers.
Home Front is a story of love, lost love and refound love. It is a story of the recovery of a soldier after combat duty and the ever lasting effects of war. A small insight to what these soldiers endure while in battle and away from their families how they battle with themselves to adjust back into everyday life once returned to their families when they have been changed by war. This is a tear jerker, but it's worth it! Very well written!
Her characters come to life in this story about the casualty of war on the "home front". How it affects the family when the mother is deployed. A good page-turner.
This was THE BEST book I have read in a very long time! I didn't want to put it down. It is so very moving and realistic..felt I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. I would give it TEN stars if I could! :)
good book, but Firefly Lane is still my favorite from Hannah
As a Kristin Hannah fan and a social worker in the mental health field, I was pretty entranced by this.
**** SPOILER ALERT **** I feel like she did a really good job of understanding PTSD, understanding military culture, understanding the best friend relationship, and understanding a husband's transformation.
My only real frustration was the narrator's emphasis on things and what I felt was a TERRIBLE Betsy. Like, has she met a teenager? It was not realistic at all.
**** SPOILER ALERT **** I feel like she did a really good job of understanding PTSD, understanding military culture, understanding the best friend relationship, and understanding a husband's transformation.
My only real frustration was the narrator's emphasis on things and what I felt was a TERRIBLE Betsy. Like, has she met a teenager? It was not realistic at all.
This book is one that I would not have ordered or bought but one I got through a book club due to not declining the book selection in time and therefore purchasing it and a couple of others. I missed this deadline due to my fathers passing on the 2nd of Feb. 2012. In the confusion of those events I missed the deadline. However in this case it was a good thing. This book is an emotional one but one I feel has been written very well. Although it deals with events that some of us have never had to deal with it does deal with feelings and emotions that I believe we all experience in our lives. It shines a light on how during everyday life we can so instantly crush those we love by saying things and acting in ways that are hurtful simply because we are being selfish and self center, not thinking clearly or with concern for others. It was a great reminder to me on how fragile people are and at the same time how strong we can be when times are rough. I got this book on Wednesday and finished it today, Saturday. I shed many tears as I read these pages and loved it. I would recommend this book as a great read, just be prepared for the emotions of it. I will have to check out this authors other books.
Hannah once again gives us a beautiful story. This time it is set as a Guard helicopter pilot who gets called to active duty in Iraq.
The story of Jolene's time at war and her return home make for a gripping story. The family situation feels very real and the reader begins to learn what our military families are going through every day.
I thought this was one of Hannah's best novels. It's one of my favorite reads in a long time!
The story of Jolene's time at war and her return home make for a gripping story. The family situation feels very real and the reader begins to learn what our military families are going through every day.
I thought this was one of Hannah's best novels. It's one of my favorite reads in a long time!
Another great book by Kristin Hannah. I did not want to put this book down and had to continue with the story. This book is a must read.
I enjoyed learning about a different aspect of life - that is, of a military mother. Her character was so real and the situation so unreal to my experience. It got me thinking of many of the roles we women play and how brave some of us are.
Beautiful story! I love her books!
I couldn't put this book down. I read a few chapters one night, and finished it the next day. Some of the characters were hard to like at times (or for the entire book), but the story was very engaging! Even though I could guess how it was going to end, I still wanted to read it on the page.
I started this book not knowing what it was about. I found it was well written but I just could not relate to it. We are not a military family. I think this book will mean something more to military families.
When Jolene is called to active duty she must leave her family behind. It is bad timing in her life. Her eldest daughter is coming of age and could use her mother's guidance through the changes. Her youngest daughter is entering school age and will need encouragement from her mother. Her husband has been lost since his father's death and is still adrift from the family. Jolene worries about her family but knows that she has made a commitment and must honor it. The family is not prepared for what lies ahead. War changes everything, nothing will ever be the same.
When Jolene is called to active duty she must leave her family behind. It is bad timing in her life. Her eldest daughter is coming of age and could use her mother's guidance through the changes. Her youngest daughter is entering school age and will need encouragement from her mother. Her husband has been lost since his father's death and is still adrift from the family. Jolene worries about her family but knows that she has made a commitment and must honor it. The family is not prepared for what lies ahead. War changes everything, nothing will ever be the same.
I loved this book. The characters were so real and each one touched you. I could not put it down. The descriptions were phenomenal and you found yourself able to imagine with great clarity what was happening. I pulled for Jolene right along with her.
this is a very good book it make you thank what are solider go threw. I believe there should be more help out there for them when they come home from the war. the thing they see is heart braking. I would give this book 1 out of 10 diffident a 10
This book was my most favorite Kristin Hannah book AWESOME
