Many of you probably know John Grogan from his first novel about his love affair with a mischievous Labrador Retriever names "Marley".

Grogan, again, calls on his real life experiences in "The Longest Trip Home". This is a "no holds barred", honest, and frank story of a young man coming of age in a Detroit suburb.

John's mother and father were very religious and deeply imbued in their Catholic faith. John and his brothers and sisters went to Catholic school, and his two uncles were Catholic priests.

John tells of his life long struggle with his Catholic faith, and tells some very amusing stories of his experiences. Many of which I am sure we have all heard, the nun that cracked your knuckles with the dreaded ruler, the struggle with First Confession, the driniking of the altar wine, and many more.

John becomes a disappointment to his parents when he falls in love with a young Presbyterian girl who has also fallen away from her church. There are problems concerning the wedding, and although it goes off well, a bad feeling is left for the newlyweds and John's parents. Things do not get much better when John and Jenny have children and John's parents want them brought up in the Catholic faith.

A shakey common ground is found by both parties and they grow to accept each other's way of life - for the most part.

Things change drastically for the family when John's father becomes ill and is no longer able to take care of his invalid wife. The entire family comes together to work through this crisis.

This is very close to a "Marley and Me" story, but instead of using a dog, John Grogan falls back on his life and family. There is some sexual content and language in the beginning of the book when John tells of his teenage years and his coming of age.