Long Way Home

By Lynn Austin

Book Overview

In this gripping portrait of war and its aftermath from bestselling author Lynn Austin, a young woman searches for the truth her childhood friend won't discuss after returning from World War II, revealing a story of courage, friendship, and faith.

Peggy Serrano couldn't wait for her best friend to come home from the war. But the Jimmy Barnett who returns is much different from the Jimmy who left, changed so drastically by his experience as a medic in Europe that he can barely function. When he attempts the unthinkable, his parents check him into the VA hospital. Peggy determines to help the Barnetts unravel what might have happened to send their son over the edge. She starts by contacting Jimmy's war buddies, trying to identify the mysterious woman in the photo they find in Jimmy's belongings.

Seven years earlier, sensing the rising tide against her people, Gisela Wolff and her family flee Germany aboard the passenger ship St. Louis, bound for Havana, Cuba. Gisela meets Sam Shapiro on board and the two fall quickly in love. But the ship is denied safe harbor and sent back to Europe. Thus begins Gisela's perilous journey of exile and survival, made possible only by the kindness and courage of a series of strangers she meets along the way, including one man who will change the course of her life.

A poignant WWII historical fiction novel from the author of All My Secrets and If I Were YouExplores themes of compassion, perseverance, healing, and the impact of warIncludes discussion questions for book clubs

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496437403
• ISBN13: 9781496437402
• Release Date: June 2022
• Publisher: Tyndale Fiction
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

World war ll..after the war

An Excellant story ...that brings to light ...what so many of the poor Servicemen may have experienced while in combat during world war ll. Nothing could have prepared anyone for the horrors of all the Concentration camps and the horrific treatment of humans ! This story takes you into the life of Jimmy Barnett...and what happened to him..during and after combat. He came home from the war..where he served as a Medic..a whole different person.. one..who has lost and questioned his strong Faith...barely able to function...and totally not communicating with his parents...who he lives with. Being so depressed...he attempts suicide...is found in time...and taken to the VA hospital. There he is given a series of treatments, over the course of months...high doses of insulin to put him in a coma..to see if he's changed when he comes out...electric shock therapy...and lastly brain surgery...Which of course the Barnetts refuse to let happen under any circumstances. His best friend Peggy..who has known Jimmy and the Barnett family her whole life...won't take this...she will do and try everything in her power to make a reconnection with Jimmy..to bring him back to the kind, wonderful, full of life , Strong in his faith person ...he was before the war. As Peggy and Jimmy's mom go through his rucksack from the war...they find a beautiful picture of a girl named Gisela...and wonder who this mysterious women is. Nothing else explains who she might be. Peggy reaches out far and wide to contact as many as the war buddies as she can..to try and piece together...what happened to Jimmy from then..to now.. and see if that can give them any clues as to what happened to Jimmy. She will do anything to help her dear friend..who was always there for her like a brother...after her mom died when she was 12 yrs old..and during her tender teen years of being made fun of at school. She refuses to lose Jimmy. She will stop at nothing to help him and his wonderful parents..who treat her like a daughter. This was an excellant story..full of factual situations...the characters are very relatable...and you can't help but want the best for alot of them. I will say....there is an element of Religion brought into different parts ...belief in God...both Christian and Jewish...Nothing that takes away from the story..but adds to it..and in reality..Nothing none of us with a conscience and a soul ...Wouldn't call out to...for relief, protection..and help..during such a horrific time in history..with so much inhumane treatment of a people..and sooo many unnecessary deaths.It is full of hope and love and caring for humane beings..and believing and having Faith at such difficult times. A very good read for sure.🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟