HOME IS WHERE THE HEARTSTRINGS ARE… Three troubled strangers gather on Christmas Eve to say farewell to a doomed old house, the secure shelter and refuge where each of them grew up over the course of 90 years. They all have warm, golden memories of youthful, magical Christmases here, and of the Rockwell-esque small town that nourished them as children. These old walls were witness to the stories of… …An elderly, feisty nun with life-searing experiences as a nurse in World War II, whose promiscuous youth still haunts her; …A depressed former Major League baseball pitcher who is contemplating a horrific act; …The hometown newspaper editor, still dealing with the tragic consequences of her long-ago teenage love affair. They are joined by their gracious host, the last owner of the house, whose own deep attachment has led her to stage this last homecoming for people who know it is not just a house, but a shrine of memories and echoes. But before it goes down to make way for a new bridge, this safe old sanctuary has surrendered some astonishing final secrets…
My Take:
The large old home in Upper Peninsula Michigan that Nettie Tannehill has lived in for 40 years is about to be torn down, a victim of a new bridge into town which somehow had to come through her old neighborhood. This 90 year old home has been a shelter from the storm for four families and countless neighborhood children, and the memories stored inside those hallowed walls are priceless. Who can set a value on what a home is worth? She's fought against the eminent domain order, somehow won and lost, and now she will be losing a lifelong friend. But in order to properly say goodbye to the old home, she gathers all the families that have dwelt there for one last Christmas together, to say goodbye.
The house has been home to a tough nurse in WW II, a nun, a war hero, a major league baseball player, a newspaper editor. All these families are now facing terrible decisions, insurmountable crises, and ruin. But here, in this last Christmas gathering, they have a moment to return, reflect, and recharge. And the old home is about to reveal its deeply hidden secrets. Ones that will impact them all.
Content:
Drug Content:
PG – There's a bit of drinking, and a few people in town suffer the consequences of uncontrolled alcoholism. Bar life is unpacked.
Violence:
PG – The tragic plight of kids with cancer is touched on, and some of the conditions and violence of war is described, but nothing too graphic.
Language:
PG - There's a light salting of coarse language.
Adult Content:
PG - There are the consequences of premarital sex. Petting is discussed, and the youthful conquests and escapades. There's no on-screen action.
Christian content:
Every family struggles with their faith, and each has a different story to tell. There are church and convent scenes, and frank discussions about God's direction and purpose for our lives. Deeply moving acts of service, compassion, and self-sacrifice are unpacked. The consequences of unforgiveness, hate, and spite are depicted.
PG – There's a bit of drinking, and a few people in town suffer the consequences of uncontrolled alcoholism. Bar life is unpacked.
PG – The tragic plight of kids with cancer is touched on, and some of the conditions and violence of war is described, but nothing too graphic.
PG - There's a light salting of coarse language.
PG - There are the consequences of premarital sex. Petting is discussed, and the youthful conquests and escapades. There's no on-screen action.
Final Analysis:
The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot is a beautiful and moving slice of Americana. Its wistful descriptions of life through the last century are a masterpiece of worldbuilding. The simple life of yesteryear tugs at the heartstrings. And the description of life in UP is especially meaningful to me, as my grandmother came from there, and the iron mines of Ironwood, MI. Her pasties were a favorite memory of mine. It's amazing how one can remember the taste of something from half a century ago. And as a bonus, at the end of this book there's a recipe for them!
The Last Homecoming by Dan Chabot is a beautiful and moving slice of Americana. Its wistful descriptions of life through the last century are a masterpiece of worldbuilding. The simple life of yesteryear tugs at the heartstrings. And the description of life in UP is especially meaningful to me, as my grandmother came from there, and the iron mines of Ironwood, MI. Her pasties were a favorite memory of mine. It's amazing how one can remember the taste of something from half a century ago. And as a bonus, at the end of this book there's a recipe for them!
I have to admit, this book is packed with heartwarming stories that will have you in tears. So bring a tissue, because you'll need it. Great world building, wonderful characters, and an epic saga of hope to tie it up in a beautiful bow. Five Stars!
About the Author:
Dan Chabot is a veteran newspaper editor, writer and columnist. His latest novel, "The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Cafe," is a heart-warming story about what's right with America, its big heart and its kind and generous people, still a nation of exceptionalism, opportunity and fairy-tale endings. He has written three others: "Godspeed: a Love Story," poses an intriguing question -- How can a lie be wrong when it makes so many people feel so good? "The Last Homecoming" (Everybody remembers the house they grew up in) brings together at Christmas, for a final farewell to a doomed old house, four people who grew up there over the course of 90 years. "Emma's Army" pokes some fun at today's woke culture.
These days Chabot lives in Florida.
