Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
17th out of 27 books
—
54 voters
The Long Road Home
A novel of courage, hope and love...
From her secret perch at the top of the stairs, seven-year-old Gabriella watches the guests arrive at her parents' lavish Manhattan home. The click, click click of her mother's high heels strikes terror into her heart, as she has been told that she is to blame for her mother's rage - and her father's failure to protect her. Her world is...more
From her secret perch at the top of the stairs, seven-year-old Gabriella watches the guests arrive at her parents' lavish Manhattan home. The click, click click of her mother's high heels strikes terror into her heart, as she has been told that she is to blame for her mother's rage - and her father's failure to protect her. Her world is...more
Paperback, 476 pages
Published
March 4th 1999
by Corgi
(first published January 1st 1998)
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
Audiobook, abridged.
The good things about this book - hence the 2 stars:
Anthony Fusco is a great narrator. Did both the male and female voices excellently and I could feel the pain and happiness as he read.
The first half was good, but . . .
The bad things about this book:
Can't Gabrielle ever have a happy life.
WARNING! SPOILERS GALORE!!!
First she's beat by her mother constantly while her dad stands there and watches and thinks, "Oh my, I wish she would stop."
Then she's sent to a convent where...more
The good things about this book - hence the 2 stars:
Anthony Fusco is a great narrator. Did both the male and female voices excellently and I could feel the pain and happiness as he read.
The first half was good, but . . .
The bad things about this book:
Can't Gabrielle ever have a happy life.
WARNING! SPOILERS GALORE!!!
First she's beat by her mother constantly while her dad stands there and watches and thinks, "Oh my, I wish she would stop."
Then she's sent to a convent where...more
I decided this month to read two Danielle Steele novels. It'sbeen a busy month for me working A lot of hours, so I prescribed myself some escape novel reading on myKindle and picked up some Danielle Steele. This One was MUCH better than the first book that I read. I always enjoy a good tale that takes you through the life of someone, you start with the main character around age 3 as a young toddler facing abuse from a cruel mother. The beginning reads like a Walt Disney story reminding me of thi...more
I thought I would try some authors I have seen a lot but never read. Danielle Steele is one. I don't know if this is representative of her other books but it was not a romance. It was a book about abuse. It seemed she had done her homework and really understood what abused children go through and how they think. The book was long and tedious though because of that.
I think the last time a book gripped me this much was when I read "My Sister's Keeper" by Jodi Picoult. On that note, I don't think I have ever read a book that made me feel so angry, saddened, and hopeful many times throughout the whole story. It was riveting and left me feeling broken hearted for the poor girl who could never catch a break. I have NEVER teared up this much while reading a book in my life. Steele's writing made the characters feel so real, to the point where I actually HATED a...more
I haven't read this since I was about 16 or so, having found it lying around my sister's house when i was living with her, but here's what I remember:
It doesn't just skim through like a story told, it's deep and long and solid. Telling of a life, letting you live that life with her. Details of abuse, aftermath, darkness, and the hard journey to the other end to the light. It's an emotional read. I think I might have cried, shuttered, and sat in stone-faced silence through this piece of work. I c...more
It doesn't just skim through like a story told, it's deep and long and solid. Telling of a life, letting you live that life with her. Details of abuse, aftermath, darkness, and the hard journey to the other end to the light. It's an emotional read. I think I might have cried, shuttered, and sat in stone-faced silence through this piece of work. I c...more
Oh, my God! I have never read Danielle Steel before, and I certainly expected more than what I got from this bestselling author. The story was full of pathos and grabbed my attention all right, but much of the horror came from the poor quality of her writing and research. Such stories of abuse do exist, but I don't think Steel has a clue about the real impact that the (unrealistic) conditions she set up would have on a young girl like Gabriela. The dialogue was pedestrian and she continually "to...more
Although hard to read at times, it's still a solid and deep story of one girl going through some of the worst-case moments in life, but having to come out in the end, face her past and becomes a strong young lady.
I only ever read it once, and that was years ago, though the story is still completely and utterly memorable on my mind like I read it yesterday, so I guess that's a good thing. I have been meaning to buy my own copy, as my last one was my mothers that I read.
It's not the best one of h...more
I only ever read it once, and that was years ago, though the story is still completely and utterly memorable on my mind like I read it yesterday, so I guess that's a good thing. I have been meaning to buy my own copy, as my last one was my mothers that I read.
It's not the best one of h...more
My second Steel book, I had to admit it was positively good. Much like Leap of Faith, also a Danielle Steel, Gabriella didn't feel much love growing up. I'll just sum it up. Her life sucked-big time. Imagine getting pregnant and then your partner just leaves you a suicide note. Or fending for yourself-alone- after not seeing the outside world for long. Or when you finally thought the guy you love was the one, he betrays you and kills the one of the persons left who loves you. This one is thoroug...more
I am not a big Danielle Steel fan but from time to time I will read one of her books. I don't know how I managed to pick this one.
I have to say that it is very sad, to me, and as a mother, as a human being I was outraged by how the child was treated by the mother as well as by the father's passive lack of concern.
I found the story, frustrating, sad, mired in misery, hopeful, frustrating... This book is so many things. I wished that the young lady was a little more skeptical, a little more able...more
I have to say that it is very sad, to me, and as a mother, as a human being I was outraged by how the child was treated by the mother as well as by the father's passive lack of concern.
I found the story, frustrating, sad, mired in misery, hopeful, frustrating... This book is so many things. I wished that the young lady was a little more skeptical, a little more able...more
I read the Dutch version: De lange weg naar huis.
Omdat ik zelf overlever van kindermishandeling ben (Münchhausen by proxy) gaf iemand mij dit boek. En wat een boek. Heel goed beschreven hoe je je als slachtoffer voelt, de machteloosheid, de loyaliteit, de pijn, alles. Ook hoe liefdeloos ouders kunnen zijn. Vervolgens heel goed beschreven hoe je vaak later in het leven weer voor dezelfde situaties komt te staan en de moeite het vertrouwen weer te vinden. Heel prachtig in dit boek is dat vergeving...more
Omdat ik zelf overlever van kindermishandeling ben (Münchhausen by proxy) gaf iemand mij dit boek. En wat een boek. Heel goed beschreven hoe je je als slachtoffer voelt, de machteloosheid, de loyaliteit, de pijn, alles. Ook hoe liefdeloos ouders kunnen zijn. Vervolgens heel goed beschreven hoe je vaak later in het leven weer voor dezelfde situaties komt te staan en de moeite het vertrouwen weer te vinden. Heel prachtig in dit boek is dat vergeving...more
A novel of courage, hope and love...
In this work of daring and compassion, Danielle Steel has created a vivid portrait of an abused child's broken world which will shock and move you to your very soul.(less)
Paperback, 476 pages
Published March 4th 1999
From her secret perch at the top of the stairs, seven-year-old Gabriella watches the guests arrive at her parents' lavish Manhattan home. The click, click click of her mother's high heels strikes terror into her heart, as she has been told that she...more
In this work of daring and compassion, Danielle Steel has created a vivid portrait of an abused child's broken world which will shock and move you to your very soul.(less)
Paperback, 476 pages
Published March 4th 1999
From her secret perch at the top of the stairs, seven-year-old Gabriella watches the guests arrive at her parents' lavish Manhattan home. The click, click click of her mother's high heels strikes terror into her heart, as she has been told that she...more
I remember reading this book while I was a freshmen in high school and even then I could not put it down! I felt like such a nerd while all my friends were talking after our work was done or in between classes and I was quietly reading and at times even tearing up or crying. This was an excellent book and was one of the first that would lead me to becoming a huge lover a books. I remember feeling the pain from an unwanted young girl and more and more getting badly abused and getting very little...more
Weak protagonist! Gabriella is labelled 'strong' in this book because she overcame all the obstacles but I personally feel that it made her character weak & pathetic when she allowed people to kick her around. And then it ends with a happily ever after with Prince Charming. Boring...
"Most things are complicated in life, arent they? It's a shame it has to be that way. Sometimes it seems like nothing can ever be easy. But there are also times it's easier than we make it. I think we all complic...more
"Most things are complicated in life, arent they? It's a shame it has to be that way. Sometimes it seems like nothing can ever be easy. But there are also times it's easier than we make it. I think we all complic...more
Mar 28, 2012
Renee
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2012-rrc-challenge,
owned
I really liked this book. It being my first Danielle Steel book, I wasnt sure what to expect, but I knew she was a fantastic writer from what I've heard. The Long Road Home was a very moving story about Gabriella's life of abuse and betrayal. The story seemed to go very smoothly and I was pleased with the ending--as half sad as it was ending on a very positive and uplifting note. All in all though, I am definitely going to be reading more of Danielle's books and highly recommend one doing the sa...more
Very easy to read and hard to put down. Seems to have crazy twists and turns. Very enjoyable!!! Tear jerker and leaves warm smiles. Can't wait to see how the ending turns out.Read the first half within part of a day. :) (12/13/11)
This book was very difficult to put down. Throughout the whole book there are so many unexpected twists and turns. Would recomment it to anyone who wants to read an unforgettable book. Amazing author. Never have been disappointed with her style of righting. (12/15/11)
This book was very difficult to put down. Throughout the whole book there are so many unexpected twists and turns. Would recomment it to anyone who wants to read an unforgettable book. Amazing author. Never have been disappointed with her style of righting. (12/15/11)
Wow that girl can't catch a break!
This book is pretty good, but like others I liked the first part best. The author keeps mixing Gabriella's thoughts and feelings and thoughts with the other characters - even in the same sentences.
At some points you have to be very sharp to know who she is talking about now and where Gabriella is physically in the story.
All in all a okay book - I would not read it again though.
This book is pretty good, but like others I liked the first part best. The author keeps mixing Gabriella's thoughts and feelings and thoughts with the other characters - even in the same sentences.
At some points you have to be very sharp to know who she is talking about now and where Gabriella is physically in the story.
All in all a okay book - I would not read it again though.
To tell you honestly, I literally cried when I was reading this. Specifically the part where Gabriella's dad found her in her room unconscious surrounded by her pool of blood. I couldn't control my tears any longer, so I just let it shed. This is my second book from Danielle Steel, the first one was Star, which was for me, a little unrealistic. Though even this book is, but I appreciate this better than Star.
I have not read Danielle Steel since college, when I thought it was the greatest literary work around LOL, but this .25 pickup at a library sale was sitting on my TBR forever, it was wonderful. It sucked you in completely and just when you think that the heroine can take no more, more is thrust upon her. I really enjoyed this one, a great book and completely engrossed me, finished it in two partial days!!!
its such a sad book..at one point during the read i thought, can it get any more worst for the character,,but den again something happens n its more horrifying! her own mother beats her, the father leaves them, the mother discards her,the boyfriend tries to kill her! u should know what you are going in for, u might just enjoy it!.the emotions and pain have been described quite nicely though.
Há bastante tempo que a Danielle Steel estava na minha lista de autores a conhecer e esta história não desapontou, e a Danielle deu-me algo que eu adoro em livros personagens apaixonantes e heroínas fortes de características embora com tantas qualidades torne-se um pouco irrealista. Mas gostei bastante e recomendo e irei ler muitos mais títulos desta autora...
..............
For a long time now (since I've seen some adaptations of her books) I had Danielle Steel in my to read list and she has not...more
..............
For a long time now (since I've seen some adaptations of her books) I had Danielle Steel in my to read list and she has not...more
I loved this book. In typical Danielle Steel style the heroine is a very strong woman who undergoes a great deal of pain and hardship, but prevails. The abuse in this one was difficult to read at times and the loss of her child was incredibly moving. Strong characterization carries the story and makes it all to real. Great read.
This is one of the most emotional books I have EVER read! I borrowed the book from a friend and after I was done most of my other friends read the book too. We all cried. Even my younger brother who never reads read this one from beginning till the end and he cried too. The story is just so touching!
Nov 06, 2010
April Chamberlain
added it
This book was a huge surprise to me. All my friends that DO NOT read, ever, had read this book before me and each one said how good it is. Very tough to read in parts due to the nature of the story, but in the end, like most Danielle Steel books it gives you courage and hope. Very, very good book
This book is amazing! While it is very, very sad it is completely a miracle what this baby is born into and how she grows up and overcomes what her parents and life dishes out to her. I recommend that everyone read this book. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would! Happy reading:-)
Sep 15, 2010
Kaytlynn
added it
This book was amazing in alot of ways having a girl survive the abusive mother and a father that left her to live with her. To the convent she grew up in tobe kicked out because of a preist she fell in love with! She survived so much and still searched for the happiness she always wanted!
I'm not a fan of Steel... But I read this book MANY years ago and I couldn't put it down. My classmates used to tease me because they thought it was a bible. Lol. Now that I've read it again, it was still hard to put it down but now that I'm more experienced with reading I was very irritated by how she repeated things over and over. other than that, it is still a breathtaking experience. A great book!
This incredible book brought me to tears, and was one I promptly suggested for my sister. If anyone has suffered at the hand of an abusive parent, you'll immediately connect with this book. It tore my heart out, and gradually rebuilt it piece by piece as she told the story. Incredible.
so friggin cheesy, but engaging. takes a woman from an abused childhood, to a long stint in a convent and as a junior nun, through 2 crazy tragedies, Columbia University, redemption and success and true love by the end. in essence, totally implausible. but kept me hooked.
This book was recommended to me by Library Diva and although I am a bit prejudiced against Danielle Steel's formula love stories, this book was a nice surprise.
I have always been told "God will never give you more than you can handle" and this story shows just how resilient the human spirit really is.
The story starts when Gabrielle is only seven years old and living in high society Manhattan. The only attention she receives from her mother is from her fist, and her father is not strong enough t...more
I have always been told "God will never give you more than you can handle" and this story shows just how resilient the human spirit really is.
The story starts when Gabrielle is only seven years old and living in high society Manhattan. The only attention she receives from her mother is from her fist, and her father is not strong enough t...more
This has to be one of the most devastating books I have ever read. But it's a story to read but ultimately one of triumph and the ability to overcome life's hardships. I almost couldn't finish the book but am so glad I did. If you start this book don't give up!
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danielle Steel Bo...: The Long Road Home | 1 | 2 | Nov 20, 2012 08:44pm |
Since 1981, Ms. Steel has been a permanent fixture on the New York Times hardcover and paperback bestseller lists. In 1989, she was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for having at least one of her books on the Times bestseller list for 381 consecutive weeks. But Guinness was premature. The fact is that one or more of Ms. Steel's novels have been on the New York Times bestseller list for...more
More about Danielle Steel...
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
Mar 01, 2013 06:33pm