The Road Behind Me

The Lie of Hannah

By: RJ Cook

Narrated by: Patrick J. Hinchliffe

It's been said a man falls in love, on an average, three times in his life. If that's an accurate assessment, it stands to reason two of those three must end in heartbreak.

Author RJ Cook had the misfortune of experiencing two of his three heartaches before the age of 20- both within the same year, separated by only a few months. The Road Behind Me narrates his story of lost love, a tale of a journey, and a late-in-life epiphany - all predicated on a single deception that he lived with for the better part of 40 years.

This memoir tells how, from the summer of 1974 to the summer of 1975, he traveled from New Jersey to California to escape the pain of a broken heart, only to discover that distance did nothing to diminish his memories.

A true story of the author's failed attempt to create a new life for himself, The Road Behind Me shares the adventures he encountered almost a continent away from home. It's a story of growing up and falling in love in suburban New Jersey; of losing love and seeking refuge in the land of milk, honey, and Disney; and of returning home as a defeated and forlorn road warrior - all during the time of peace and love, Woodstock, Nixon, and Vietnam.

©2016 RJ Cook (P)2019 RJ Cook

Good book for a long drive!

I enjoyed the story as I could relate to the timeline back in the 70s. The story was somewhat long, however I did experience laughter and familiarity with the times which kept me interested. After finishing the book I was left feeling unfulfilled until I read the Epilogue! I would recommend this book if you are looking for an easy-going story of the power of young love which may rekindle some of your own memories. The narrator was excellent! I never got tired or bored listening to his voice.