Book Review: Home Again

For this review, I read Home Again by Kristin Hannah.  I think there has been only 1 book other than this one that has affected me this much.  It made me realize that I am angry as hell with what my daughter, Ashleigh, is going through.  I thought I was through the majority of grieving stages, but found out that I am not.  Ashleigh is losing her ability to walk and seeing her hurt breaks my heart.  I keep going back to my Why post.  Why does this have to be like this?

1. Seventeen year old Angel betrays Madelaine by taking money from her father in exchange for ending their relationship.  Why do you think he chose to do this?  Do you understand his decision?  Do you believe that a thing like this can or should be forgiven?  Do you think he would have made the same choice had he known that she was going to have the baby? 
I think Angel was scared as hell with what his life could have been like.  A young father and probably husband.  I do understand his decision because he did not know all the facts.  When you are told something like he was, you believe it, but I think he should had talked with Madelaine to get that verified.  If Angel knew about the baby, I think he would have stayed around, but there would had been problems until he knew what his life could be like and to let go of his fears.  

2.  When Angel hears that he needs a heart transplant, he is both troubled and torn by the thought of having someone else's heart in his body.  This is actually a common reaction.  How do you think you would feel in that situation? If I was in this situation, I would be scared as hell.  I have had surgery before, but never a transplant.  I can not imagine the thoughts going through your head.  

3. Do you think a person has a right to know about his or her donor, or is it better if confidentiality is maintained? Why or why not?

I think it depends on the circumstances.  Like with Angel, he needed to know. 

4. Should Madelaine have revealed Lina's father to her earlier?  Is there an appropriate moment or age to have this kind of discussion with your child?

 I do think Madelaine should have told her daughter, Lina, who her father is.  But, I can understand why she kept that to herself.  Angel was an actor, who had a bad boy imagine.  I am not sure what moment or age as a parent you can talk to your child about things as critical as this.  

5. Francis and Angel were treated differently by their mother.  How do you think this affected each man?

Francis and Angel were both treated differently by their mother and this affected both of them.  Angel was the bad boy and his mother treated him badly.  He did not see any love from his mother.  Francis was the child his mother adored and his actions were always pure.  

6. Madelaine tries so hard to be Lina's friend that she sometimes fails as a parent.  In what instances do you believe Madelaine is a bad parent?  When is she a good parent?

I think Madelaine is a good parent, but at times she can be a bad one when she allows her childhood with her father to interfere.  Madelaine is a good parent when Lina gets into trouble after shoplifting.  She becomes "mean mom" and does not back down with what she tells her daughter.

7. Madelaine grew up with a stern, rigid father, while Linda grew up with no father at all.  How did this impact their lives and their characters?

I think the way Madelaine grew up had an impact on her lives by how her father treated her.  He only wanted things done his way.  Madelaine wanted Lina to like her, but she forgot that she is her mother and there are times where you have to be mean.

Happy Reading,
Melissa