Rush Home Road

By: Lori Lansens

Narrated by: Ruby Dee

Sharla Cody is only five, but has already lived a troubled life -- only to find herself dumped on an elderly neighbor's doorstep when her mother takes off for the summer. Although Sharla is not the angelic child Addy Shadd had pictured when she agreed to look after her, the two soon forge a deep bond.

To Addy's surprise, Sharla's presence brings back memories of her own childhood in Rusholme, a town settled by fugitive slaves in the mid-1800s. She reminisces about her family, her first love, and the painful experience that drove her away from home. Brilliantly structured and achingly lyrical, this is a story about the redeeming power of love and memory, and about two unlikely people who transform each other's lives forever.

so well done!

a very warm and engaging story spoken with brilliance. I enjoyed every minute of it.

LESSONS OF LOVE

Ruby Dee is one of my favorite artists. As usual, her chareacters seem to come to life. Only one flaw, she sometimes sounds too breathless and it is distracting, I'm questioning exactly when this nove was written because years ago, I remember a movie that portrayed that incident on the train with the ring. Nevertheless, it is a story worth enjoying.

you don't want the story to end.

What made the experience of listening to Rush Home Road the most enjoyable?

Felt a little homesick after the story ended - like the connection had been made with the characters and you begin to miss them as soon as the story is over

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rush Home Road?

When the connection was made between the child and her family

Have you listened to any of Ruby Dee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

A real story!!

What did you love best about Rush Home Road?

The story is very real. Full of everyday experiences. Certainly not a fairy tale. I loved it - it was my first audio and I read the reviews before I purchased it.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Rush Home Road?

The moment Addy Shadd discovered she was pregnant she made a decision to love her baby and not reject it because it was also a victim of a violent rape.

What about Ruby Dee’s performance did you like?

Absolutely beautiful. She has the ability to become the character that she is reading and I am there with her.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes - when Addy Shad looked into the face of her dead baby - Liam - and spent the few moments with him.

Any additional comments?

There were many other special and poignant moments as well. I will certainly listen to Ruby Dee again and read books by Lori Lansens again.

Excellent performance, OK book

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

From the beginning this book was very intriguing and the reader's voice was totally enthralling. I listen as I drive and often space out and miss things. I have to rewind a lot, but not with this book. The reader is easy and pleasant to listen to. The book started really strongly and was pretty good throughout, but the ending was sort of abrupt. On the other hand, as an audio book it was shorter than most, which is sometimes nice. Many of them go on and on forever.

Have you listened to any of Ruby Dee’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I don't know if Ruby Dee also read in The Help, but if not, she sounds a lot like the women who did.