book data
170 ratings, 4.10 average rating, 45 reviews
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published
June 6th 2002
by Virago Press Ltd
binding
Paperback, 320 pages
isbn
1860499376
(isbn13: 9781860499371)
description
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 o...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 322)
Read in September, 2008
I just couldn't decide if I should give this book four stars or three. I decided to give it four starts because I think maybe I just wasn't focused enough to appreciate it. But then I decided to give it three because I'm not postive I would recommend it to people. It was not as good as The Girls, the other book I just read by this author.
This book was about a young girl, Sharla, being raised by her elderly neighbor, Addy, after her mother deserts her. It alternated between the presen...more
This book was about a young girl, Sharla, being raised by her elderly neighbor, Addy, after her mother deserts her. It alternated between the presen...more
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Read in September, 2008
Five year old Sharla Cody is sent to live with seventy-year old, Addy Shadd. Addy is in no way related to Sharla but she is the first person who answered her door when Sharla’s mother, Colette knocked and offered to take Sharla for the summer. Addy lives in a trailer park. She is all alone, so when Colette is looking for someone to take Sharla; Addy agrees. It will be nice to have someone to talk to again. Sharla and Addy will teach each other things despite their age differences.
Ok let m...more
Ok let m...more
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Read in October, 2008
recommended to Paula by:
Nobody.recommends it for: High schoolers.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's about an elderly woman named Addy Shadd, and her telling her life story when a little girl named Sharla gets put under her care when her mother abandons her.
Throughout the book, Addy talks about all her struggles that she went through during her childhood until the present. She got raped when she was 15 and her father and town didn't accept her because they thought she was responsible for numerous things that happened in their small town in Canada, so ...more
Throughout the book, Addy talks about all her struggles that she went through during her childhood until the present. She got raped when she was 15 and her father and town didn't accept her because they thought she was responsible for numerous things that happened in their small town in Canada, so ...more
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this is a really pretty story. once you get going its impossible to set down.
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Read in December, 2008
It was a good book but I much preferred The Girls. Had I not read that book before this one, I think I probably would have given his one 4 stars...my expectations were higher than they would have been otherwise. Definitely worth reading though!
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I finished this book last night, turned to my husband and said, "that was an excellent book." It was very well written with wonderful character development. There were some scenes that were difficult to read regarading child abuse and neglect - as a mother, my heart hurt for the little girl. There were also some rather explicit sexy scenes. I thought the overall message in the book was fantastic, though. I loved the way both main characters dealt with the life that was handed to t...more
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Read in December, 2008
A beautiful book about an unlikely relationship. The relationship between Addy and Sharla is healing for them both.
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Read in June, 2007
recommends it for:
the strong at heart
There are human circumstances described in this book that repulse the reader, but at the same time compel him or her to know more. This story is deeply tragic and ultimately redemptive. If you can stomach being peppered with descriptions of child abuse and neglect then you will find the overall message a powerful one. I did love that Addy needed Sharla as much as Sharla needed Addy. The Girls was better.
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Read in April, 2008
I decided to read this book because I liked The Girls so much, and I was not disappointed. Taking place in 1978, this is the story of a 70-year-old black woman who has been through much and has a heart of gold. A white trash mother abandons her 5-year-old on Addy's doorstep, and the novel proceeds with touching character development as well as a dose of history.
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This was a great story about an old woman and a little girl who came into each others lives at a time when they both needed love. The author - Lori Lanses did a beautiful job of introducing the characters and describing their backgrounds and history, while bringing them together in the present. The ending was beautiful, all in all, a delightful read.
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Read in August, 2008
This book was just one that I found on a shelf at work and thought it sounded like a great book. I could not put this book down. The characters were well developed and really made you care about what happened to them. As soon as I finished the book I wondered who I should lend it to so that someone else could enjoy such a wonderful book.
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Read in August, 2008
This book, along with Lansen's The Girls, are my favorite books I've read this year. The first chapter of Rush broke my heart and hooked me in to find out what will happen to Sharla. I love the two stories intertwined and how each character was developed. I just loved this book and I hope she will write more soon.
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After reading and enjoying The Girls by the same author, I was really looking forward to Rush Home Road. I didn't care for it as much as The Girls. I found the plot predictable and the characters too one-dimensional. However, the story kept my interest and I looked forward to reading it.
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This book kept my attention, as it traced the lives of the old African-American woman and the mixed race child who came together almost accidentally. At times there were too many disasters and deaths, more than I could believe. Yet the book does affirm the value of life and love.
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Read in September, 2007
A wonderful story that has a current setting but takes back as Addy remembers how she has gotten to this place in her life. Some place of the book were a bit "racey". Over looking those parts this book was meant to be read and tugs at your heart.
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Read in September, 2008
Lovely book, enjoyed it a lot more than The Girls, although I have noticed that Lori likes lots of traumatic things to happen to her characters. Addy's life was just a stream of misfortune...but it was still a really enjoyable read, despite this!
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Read in April, 2007
An enjoyable read - a young woman is shamed into leaving her home town with nothing but the shirt on her back (oh, did I mention she was pregnant?). The story of perserverence, self confidence, good vs. evil, and hope.
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Read in February, 2006
A Canadian author's first writing! This is probably one of the best books I've ever read! Beautifully written, characters are nicely developed. Harsh topics at time and heartwrenching. I loved this book!
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Read in October, 2008
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. Unfortunately, it just didn't grab me. This doesn't mean that it's a bad book. It was very well written and had excellent character development.
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Read in December, 2008
Easy read, great story.
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