Back Roads serves as a reminder of the atrocities that can surface in innocent children when damaged by CORRUPT adults. Tragic and devastating characters make this twisted and deplorable tale so absorbing. I am haunted by the TRUTH and the realism in their stories. From beginning to end Harley is a mysterious and destructive figure whom you can't quite decipher, partly because of HIS lack of self-understanding, and partly because you can't fathom one man/boy's ability to ADJUST. Seeming to leave no stone unturned, abandonment, abuse, incest and infidelity are but a few issues Tawni O'Dell wistfully reveals.

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Back Roads was a good read and definitely kept my interest. I do agree with some earlier reviews that the author definitely left many things unexplained and unfinished. All in all, still worth picking up!!

If you are easily depressed or offended, maybe this book is not for you. But for those of us who insist that a book be lyrical, profound, and mesmerizing, it was a wonderful find. The vivid characterizations including the oddly sympathetic protagonist (and yes, he was quite funny sometimes) combined with the mystery and suspense of the plot made the book irresistable and hard to put down. I finished a library copy late last night and am going out to buy my own this afternoon. That is the highest compliment I can give it. I will also recommend it to friends and relatives. Next, I am going to try to find other books by this author. Bravo, Miss O'Dell!

From the first pages of this book you fall in love with the characters. Harley seems so hard core but really he isn't. He seems not to care about his sisters but you know that he does, you sense if from the way he cares for them, you can't help but fall in love with Jody, her innocence through the whole book is unbeleiveable, everything she's been through and she is still such a happy go lucky child. Harley in the end is the hero, as much as he disliked Misty for everything she did, in the end he took the blame for her...this is what you call a true "family man". You can't help but love this book. I read it in one day, you can't put it down...everyone should read this book!!!!