Discovering the Long Way Home
by Julie Larose
by Julie Larose
DISCOVERING THE LONG WAY HOME by Julie Larose
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 1/17/07
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
Rating: 5 Stars
Marilyn's life is not as fun and exciting as you might think. Sure, her mom and dad are famous actors, and they're rich, and
she's traveled all over the world -- how could that not be amazing? Well, mostly because both of her parents are so busy
working, getting randomly married and divorced, and maintaining their "images" that they're too busy to be interested in
Marilyn. The reason she's seen so much of the world is because she keeps getting shipped from parent to parent, based
on whose life she'll interfere with the least, or who's tired of having her around. She's had a ton of different half- and
step-siblings, but never a family, and never any real friends.
Marilyn has had enough. She's taking charge this time. She's going to run away. Better yet, she's going to make it look
like she's been abducted. Then her parents will have to pay attention to her. And when the press gets a hold of the story,
they'll have to at least pretend that they care.
Needless to say, things don't quite work out as planned. The first person she hitches a ride with sees through some of her
stories. He doesn't know who she is, or why she's running, but he takes her to a place he knows is safe. The small town
he drops her off in is completely different than anywhere she's ever lived. And the people... They are unlike anyone in
Marilyn's memory. They seem genuinely good and caring. It's almost too bad she'll have to leave and go back to her real
world. Speaking of her world, why hasn't there been any mention of her disappearance in any paper?
Marilyn is forced to take a good look at her ideas of life and people. She eventually forges her own path to a life she
almost lost, but not before she gets herself into some trouble, meets some people with much bigger problems, and finds
exactly what she wasn't looking for.
This is an interesting look at the darker side of Hollywood life, as well as a view of the brighter side of humanity. It's pretty
hard to find yourself when there is no one to guide you.
The book is told by Marilyn, with regular trips into her memories. She is a very real and developed character, as are most
of the characters. Her history is disturbingly believable. The public knowledge of her parents is a great touch, and done
very nicely. I found the very end to be a bit abrupt, but it doesn't really detract from the story itself. All in all, I was
pleasantly surprised by this book.
Category: Contemporary
Age Recommendation: Grades 6+
Release Date: 1/17/07
Publisher: PublishAmerica
Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman
Rating: 5 Stars
Marilyn's life is not as fun and exciting as you might think. Sure, her mom and dad are famous actors, and they're rich, and
she's traveled all over the world -- how could that not be amazing? Well, mostly because both of her parents are so busy
working, getting randomly married and divorced, and maintaining their "images" that they're too busy to be interested in
Marilyn. The reason she's seen so much of the world is because she keeps getting shipped from parent to parent, based
on whose life she'll interfere with the least, or who's tired of having her around. She's had a ton of different half- and
step-siblings, but never a family, and never any real friends.
Marilyn has had enough. She's taking charge this time. She's going to run away. Better yet, she's going to make it look
like she's been abducted. Then her parents will have to pay attention to her. And when the press gets a hold of the story,
they'll have to at least pretend that they care.
Needless to say, things don't quite work out as planned. The first person she hitches a ride with sees through some of her
stories. He doesn't know who she is, or why she's running, but he takes her to a place he knows is safe. The small town
he drops her off in is completely different than anywhere she's ever lived. And the people... They are unlike anyone in
Marilyn's memory. They seem genuinely good and caring. It's almost too bad she'll have to leave and go back to her real
world. Speaking of her world, why hasn't there been any mention of her disappearance in any paper?
Marilyn is forced to take a good look at her ideas of life and people. She eventually forges her own path to a life she
almost lost, but not before she gets herself into some trouble, meets some people with much bigger problems, and finds
exactly what she wasn't looking for.
This is an interesting look at the darker side of Hollywood life, as well as a view of the brighter side of humanity. It's pretty
hard to find yourself when there is no one to guide you.
The book is told by Marilyn, with regular trips into her memories. She is a very real and developed character, as are most
of the characters. Her history is disturbingly believable. The public knowledge of her parents is a great touch, and done
very nicely. I found the very end to be a bit abrupt, but it doesn't really detract from the story itself. All in all, I was
pleasantly surprised by this book.