For many years I have been a fan of Kristin Hannah, and
therefore feel confident that when I sit down with one of
her titles I am going to be reading something that will
touch me emotionally, and make me ponder my choices in life,
but never as much as with her newest release HOME FRONT.
From the opening pages of the story Hannah has taken what
could be ordinary and turned it into unique and page
turning. Jolene, who grew up in an alcoholic family and was
orphaned in her teens, has turned to the military and that
lifestyle to give her the regiment that she craved and never
received. Michael grew up knowing that he was loved, and
that someday he would take his place alongside his father in
the family law firm, so not only doesn't understand the
structure that Jolene needs so desperately, but also doesn't
understand the war that is taking such a toll on so many,
and why his wife simply doesn't tell the powers that be that
she won't go when she gets deployed to Iraq.
Jolene does what she can to prepare her family for her
departure, but there are hurt feelings on both sides, and
rather than coming together and talking things out the
upcoming deployment causes a gap so large it may never be
bridged.
While Jolene is in Iraq doing her part for the safety of
those she left behind Michael is asked to take on a murder
client who is an Iraq War Veteran. It is as he attempts to
build a defense for his client that he begins to understand
more about Jolene and her needs than he might have ever
understood.
However, the true test of their commitment to each other and
their family comes when Jolene returns home and has trouble
acclimating to life after Iraq.
For me personally, the war in Iraq is something that I hear
about on the news but doesn't have an impact in my day to
day life as none of my immediate family are serving and I
have no close friends or members of their families serving,
however as I read Home Front I couldn't help but believe
that Kristin Hannah was bringing the war to my doorstep. The
words she put on paper helped me bring it quite clearly to
the forefront of my imagination, and I could almost feel as
though I was there with Jolene hoping and praying for safety
with all my might.
Do not read HOME FRONT expecting an easy carefree read.
However, don't read HOME FRONT expecting a dark intense read
either. Read HOME FRONT expecting what I feel is an honest
exploration of one family's experience with war, and the
impact it has on them before during and after. Tissues will
be a requirement while reading as eyes will at least get
teary if outright crying doesn't occur.
With the closing of HOME FRONT the respect I have for the
military members who sacrifice so much grew, and for that I
have to say thank you to them for their sacrifices and to
Hannah for portraying what surely is a difficult subject
with simplicity, honesty, and a beautiful story.
In her bestselling novels Kristin Hannah has plumbed the
depths of friendship, the loyalty of sisters, and the
secrets mothers keep. Now, in her most emotionally powerful
story yet, she explores the intimate landscape of a troubled
marriage with this provocative and timely portrait of a
husband and wife, in love and at war.
Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades have to face
the pressures of everyday life—-children, careers, bills,
chores—-even as their twelve-year marriage is falling apart.
Then an unexpected deployment sends Jolene deep into harm’s
way and leaves defense attorney Michael at home,
unaccustomed to being a single parent to their two girls. As
a mother, it agonizes Jolene to leave her family, but as a
soldier she has always understood the true meaning of duty.
In her letters home, she paints a rose-colored version of
her life on the front lines, shielding her family from the
truth. But war will change Jolene in ways that none of them
could have foreseen. When tragedy strikes, Michael must face
his darkest fear and fight a battle of his own—-for
everything that matters to his family.
At once a profoundly honest look at modern marriage and a
dramatic exploration of the toll war takes on an ordinary
American family, Home Front is a story of love, loss,
heroism, honor, and ultimately, hope.
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