Today is my stop on the Homeward Bound blog tour and I am delighted to introduce you to this wonderful, heartwarming story.
Summary:
Homeward Bound features 79-year-old grandfather George, who didn't quite make it as a rock star in the '60s. He's expected to be in retirement but in truth he's not ready to close the lid on his dreams and will do anything for a last chance. When he finds himself on a tour of retirement homes instead of a cream tea at the seaside his family has promised, it seems his story might prematurely be over.
He finds the answer by inviting Tara, his 18-year-old granddaughter, to share his house, along with his memories and vast collection of records. She is an aspiring musicians as well, although her idea of music is not George's. What unfolds are clashes and unlikely parallels between the generations - neither knows nor cares how to use a dishwasher - as they both chase their ambitions.
My Review:
Our story begins with what seems like a usual occurrence, a family searching for the right retirement home for their loved one who is becoming a bit forgetful. But then we are introduced to Toby and the balance shifts. On one side is George who we quickly fall in love with. Yes, he can be a tad cantankerous but throughout, his heart is true to his two loves, his late wife Evelyn and music. On the other side is Toby, George's son-in-law and in my humble opinion a vile toad.
When George invites Tara, his granddaughter to live with him, our story really takes off. Here we have two wonderful people from very different generations trying to co-exist. At times it's as if they barely speak the same language, but they do have one very important thing in common, they love each other very much.
Each character is beautifully brought to life - their attributes, their faults, their feelings, their reactions all combine to create characters we, the reader, care about. We become invested in their journey, rooting for them, crying with them and for them, and in certain cases, hoping they get the retribution they so dearly deserve!
This is a journey that is interwoven with the music that shaped George's life. His music room, filled to the rafters with records, is his place of solace and here he creates the soundtrack to this story. This is a story about family, about the decisions we make along the way that change the direction our life will take and about never giving up on your dream.
Homeward Bound is a heartfelt tale that will remind you to hug your loved ones, stand up for what you believe in and never let go of your hopes and dreams.
Thank you to @matadorbooks @rararesources for gifting me a copy of this book.
Author Bio
Richard Smith is a writer and storyteller for sponsored films and commercials, with subjects as varied as caring for the elderly, teenage pregnancies, communities in the Niger delta, anti- drug campaigns and fighting organised crime. Their aim has been to make a positive difference, but, worryingly, two commercials he worked on featured in a British Library exhibition, ‘Propaganda’.
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Thanks for you kind review. I'm glad you liked it. If you need any more information or if there's anything more you'd like/need from me, I'll be pleased to help. And in the meantime, I've been running a photo competition where I've asked people to take a picture of the book in odd/funny/bizarre settings, and am posting them on www.instagram.com/homeward_bound_the_novel/. I'm even offering a (small) prize, with the judge an independent blogger @_ohcaroline. Anyway, thanks again. Richard
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