MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW RATING-4/5
"Take the Long Way Home" by Rochelle Alers offers an arresting and sweeping narrative that traverses seven decades and two continents, following the remarkable journey of Claudia Patterson through some of history's most tumultuous periods. From a 1950s Mississippi town established by freed slaves to the cultural diversity of 1960s Paris and Rome, and the allure of 1980s Wall Street to present-day New York, Alers crafts a vivid tapestry of Claudia's life and the profound impact of four significant men who shape her journey.
Claudia Patterson emerges as a multifaceted protagonist—part freedom fighter, astute businessperson, devoted wife, linguistic savant, and the eventual savior of a European dynasty. Alers skillfully unveils Claudia's life, driven by powerful loves and profound losses that shape her trajectory and define her resilience.
The narrative introduces four pivotal men who leave indelible marks on Claudia's life. First, Denny Clark, an abused young boy whose life Claudia saves at a tender age, setting off a chain of events that intricately intertwines their fates. Then, Robert Moore, a passionate Black lawyer who becomes Claudia's husband and an essential partner in the Civil Rights Movement, leading to a personal encounter with the Ku Klux Klan that irrevocably alters her path.
Subsequent relationships with Ashley Booth, a Wall Street executive, and Giancarlo Pasquale Fortenza, an Italian automobile industrialist, bring new dimensions to Claudia's life. The allure of the elite Black circle in New York and an overseas assignment in Italy amplify the intricacies of her existence, reconnecting her with her past in unexpected and daring ways.
Alers weaves a rich tapestry of history, emotion, and resilience, chronicling Claudia's rise from poverty, navigating the challenges of racism, and enduring heartbreak. Through Claudia's journey, the novel explores the profound impact of significant relationships across a lifetime, portraying the complexities of human connections against the backdrop of historical turbulence.
"Take the Long Way Home" stands as an epic saga that resonates with timeless themes of resilience, love, and the transformative power of relationships. Rochelle Alers' masterful storytelling unfolds a compelling narrative, capturing the essence of an extraordinary life marked by trials, triumphs, and the enduring strength drawn from profound connections. This preview of the first 43 chapters promises a captivating and emotionally resonant saga that spans generations, leaving readers eager to embark on the entirety of Claudia Patterson's remarkable odyssey.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for an advance digital copy for my honest review.
In an arrestingly vivid novel spanning seven decades and two continents – from a cloistered 1950s Mississippi town founded by freed slaves to the striking diversity of Paris and Rome in the 1960s and 70s, through the glamor of 1980s Wall Street, to present day New York – bestselling author Rochelle Alers chronicles one woman’s remarkable journey through some of history’s most turbulent eras—and the four men who impact her life along the way. Perfect for fans of Angela Flournoy, Zora Neale Hurston, Sue Monk Kidd and Dolen Perkins-Valdez.
Freedom fighter, brilliant businessperson, devoted wife, master of languages, and ultimately, savior of a European dynasty. Claudia Patterson would become all of these—spurred on by the fiercely powerful loves and losses along the way…
Denny Clark. An abused thirteen-year-old white boy whose life twelve-year-old Claudia saves—complicating her own life for years to come.
Robert Moore. A young Black lawyer who becomes Claudia’s beloved husband and partner on the explosive front lines of the Civil Rights Movement. Amid the violence of the Ku Klux Klan, Claudia has a shocking personal encounter—with unimaginable consequences.
Ashley Booth. A Wall Street executive who brings the glamour of New York alive for the now-widowed Claudia, introducing her to an elite circle of Black peers. But their long yet uncommitted romance leads Claudia to move on—to an overseas assignment at an Italian bank.
Giancarlo Pasquale Fortenza. An Italian automobile industrialist, once enamored of a young Claudia—handsome, worldly, and twelve years her senior. A man with whom Claudia reconnects, bringing her life full circle in the boldest, bravest, and most unexpected ways…
Rich with history and timeless emotion, here is an epic tale of rising through poverty, racism, and heartbreak—and the awesome role of our most significant relationships throughout our lives.
Genres: Historical Fiction
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2023
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