Longest Trip Home Unabridged CD, The

by John Grogan

Finding your place in the world can be the longest trip home . . .

In the highly anticipated follow-up to Marley & Me, John Grogan again works his magic, bringing us the story of what came first. Before there was Marley, there was a gleefully mischievous boy growing up in a devout Catholic home outside Detroit in the 1960s and '70s. Despite his loving parents' best efforts, John's attempts to meet their expectations failed spectacularly. Whether it was his disastrous first confession, the purloined swigs of sacramental wine, or the fumbled attempts to sneak contraband past his father, John was figuring out that the faith and fervor that came so effortlessly to his parents somehow had eluded him.

And then one day, a strong-willed young woman named Jenny walked into his life. As their love grew, John began the painful, funny, and poignant journey into adulthood--away from his parents' orbit and into a life of his own. It would take a fateful call and the onset of illness to lead him on the final leg of his journey--the trip home again.

With his trademark blend of humor and pathos that made Marley & Me beloved by millions, John Grogan traces the universal journey each of us must take to find our unique place in the world. Filled with revelation and laugh-out-loud humor, The Longest Trip Home will capture your heart--but mostly it will make you want to reach out to those you love most.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Biography, Biography Memoir, Book Club, Autobiography, Animals

9 pages, Audio CD

First published October 21, 2008

About the author

John Grogan has spent more than 25 years as a newspaper journalist. Previously he worked as a reporter, bureau chief, and columnist at newspaper in Michigan and Florida. He is also the former editor on chief of Rodale's Organic Gardening magazine. His work has won numerous awards, including the National Press Club's Consumer Journalism Award. His first book, Marley & Me, is a number one international bestseller that was as a major motion picture on 2008. His second book is The Longest Trip Home. John lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, Jenny, and their three children.

Reviews

[Tattered Cover Book Store]

This is an extremely delightful book--Grogan writes about his childhood and deeply religious upbringing in true ornery schoolboy style, varnishing nothing. To say he was a handful would be a gross understatement-- he certainly lived an exuberant childhood, the tales from which are PG13 to NR17 in nature but funny as all get out. There are also tough issues being discussed here--becoming okay with being a person other than the one your parents wanted you to be, and, eventually dealing with aging parents illnesses and death. The last few chapters, which deal with the death of his father, are full of a painful honesty that will cement me as a fan of this writer for life--I was in his shoes and can tell you that he held nothing back and puts you in a moment you hope to never face but that has a beauty and purity to it that enriches your life in numorous ways. I truly cannot recommend this book enough, the laughter AND the tears.

Jackie

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I loved Marley and Me--but this book was quite different. In fairness, I didn't get close to finishing it, but I could see this was not my type of book.
This book could be subtitled, "Catholic School Boys Behaving Badly". As a teacher and a parent, I can never enjoy seeing kids making bad choices.
As someone raised as a Catholic, and almost the same age as Grogan, I did laugh about lying in confession because I think that happened a lot. I don't know how the Catholic Church is managing confession these days, but Church leaders should read this book and make changes that would help religion to really be an effective, powerful, and positive force in the lives of its members.
I do know a lot of Catholics who are faithful members who really believe and their faith is a positive force in their lives. However, I have met many Catholics who just go through the motions without letting their faith/religion positively effect them. I always figured they were just checking things off of their to-do list to get into heaven. They could have so much more.
Growing up I saw a lot of Catholic School kids rebelling--just like John Grogan. It makes me wonder why? The only thing I can think of is that the kids never saw the love of Jesus Christ, but instead saw the lack of love in the actions of certain nuns. Hopefully, the Catholic Schools are doing better in showing and teaching Gospel love. Back in 1978 I taught in an intercity Catholic school and I loved everyone of my children and made sure they knew it. They loved me too. I thought the nuns there were really nice--the other teachers were too.
In this book, John Grogan was quick to take the Savior's name in vain. That is something I have never understood. If you are religious, why would you take the sacred name of the Lord in vain? Now, if you aren't religious, why would you even think to say his name?
So this book was just painful for me to read and so I just stopped reading.
Maybe in his next book, Grogan will write about his experience with organic gardening--now there is a topic I can really enjoy!

[Laura McHale Holland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to an audio version of the book read by the author, which is a very different experience than reading, of course. So I have no idea whether I'd be gripped by the prose on the pages of this book. But, as a listener, I was pulled in entirely. I felt almost like I became part of the Grogan clan as John shared episode after episode of his life growing up in a Catholic family so devout, their family vacations consisted primarily of driving to religious shrines! So his relationship to the Catholic church: going to Catholic school, being an alter boy (who, with his friends, sneaks swigs of the wine, and once, while carrying a candle down the aisle, trips and burns himself while eyeing a girl he has a crush on), trying to live up to his parents' expectations, but being a mischievous, curious, normal boy, finding it impossible—this background is important to the book, as he grows up, goes to college, begins his journalism career, falls in love and follow his own beliefs, which differ from his parents. Amazingly, once on his own, he keeps the fact that he is no longer a practicing Catholic secret from his parents until he's in his 30s. (I mean, seriously? What kind of wimp does that?) And the book shows how his relationship with his parents continues to evolve as he becomes a husband and father, and as his parents go through the inevitable aging process. But it's not really what happens that matters in this book, although many of the events are highly entertaining. It's John Grogan's depiction of all the people who have touched his life, from his family, to his boyhood friends, his first love and his wife. All of them are so well drawn that it's spellbinding. I sort of fell in love with John Grogan as I listened along. He showed his flaws; he didn't try to make himself seem better than he is. He could have been the boy next door you never noticed but turned out to be the one who noticed everything that really mattered.

[Mary Catherine Hutchings · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book really touched me. i laughed and i cried. it was a true spiritual experience for me. i grew up in a very catholic family and had many similar memories. john grogans portrayal of his father was truly a labor of love. the catholic church is not perfect but this devout catholic man was the church to his family. i want to have that kind of faith and peace.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Grogan has written another best selling book. This time, instead of stealing the hearts of his readers with a lovable,adventurous mutt, Grogan stole the hearts of his readers by writing about his family. The story of his childhood and growing up in a strict Catholic family made me laugh and the struggles of his parents late in life made me cry.
Anyone who grew up in a strict Catholic family can see their own family on these pages. You will relate to the parents wanting the best for their children. You will cheer the adventures of the children as they attempt to forge their own identities and their own beliefs. In summary, this book was about love and admiration a father for his son and the son for his father. Though they saw things through different eyes, the loves they had for each other poured out of this book.
I enjoyed reading this book and had a very difficult time putting it down, and I was sorry when I reached the end. I can't wait to see what John Grogan writes next.

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Grogan can make me laugh, and cry buckets all in one book. He managed to do that to me in "Marley and Me" and now in this book. I was prepared for the laughs with both books but not the tears. "Marley" I read after my dog died and it was such a good book during that time - healing and theraputic. I did not expect the tears though in this book.......I guess I should have given the way it started. I could feel deeply all the feelings Grogan did because like him, I watched my father weaken and die from cancer - it is truly a horrible thing to see one's parent weaken to the point they become bed-ridden. Even though I knew my father was in a better place free from his pain and failing body, I still felt such an ache after he left us - still do - Haven't felt that ache for awhile but Grogan definitely brought those feelings to the surface. Now, don't get me wrong, this book is not depressing, but is so wonderfully written that the reader can relate to the author and his feelings.

Aside from the loss of our fathers, I could also relate to Grogan's Catholic guilt! Too funny!!! I so loved Grogan's first confession - priceless!

Finally, I loved the advice Grogan got from his therapist - "I was who I was, and ......it was now up to my parents to accept their son, or not, for the man he had become." Amen! Beautifully put!

Superbly written!

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful memoir about families, faith, and trying to live your own life as an adult with different values than your parents. John Grogan's parents were very devout Catholics, and John was raised in this environment. But as he came of age in the 1970's, his world view changed, and he came to see there was more to the world than just the strict, sheltered Catholic family and school life he was raised in. But as many people may relate to, having your own values and life is one thing, openly sharing these things with your strict, devout parents is another, especially when sharing them causes your parents to greatly express their grief and disappointment in the path you are chosing. A wonderful read, with an emotional ending as John's father becomes terminally ill. I highly recommend this book. John's honesty is refreshing, and his writing style keeps you engrossed.

[Bill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to admit, I just don't understand why people write memoirs about their wholeheartedly unspectacular lives.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightfully readable book had me doing a lot of self reflection about religion and parenting. I especially enjoyed the memories it elicited of my own upbringing, as I am near the age of the author.

[aniabrze · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cried a lot at the end.. never thought that I would enjoy reading a biography that much. I could relate to John’s perspective on Catholicism, especially his parents behavior.

[Stephen Montano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being raised Catholic, this book brought back some great memories. Very touching…

[Gaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't yet read Marley & Me, I found The Longest Trip Home to be a wonderful introduction to John Grogan's narrative voice.

Grogan is sympathetic, funny and witty as he shares the anecdotes and the milestones in his life. We first meet Grogan as a six-year old being woken up in the morning by his mother with a feather duster, surrounded by his siblings. With affection and love, he shares the particular nuances of his childhood as he was raised by deeply Catholic (with icons, pilgrimages, and faith), principled and loving parents. The institution of the Catholic Church and its teachings were a large part of his life from his childhood as an altar boy and in parochial schools to the discussions that he had with his parents when he and Jenny started living together before marriage. John shares how he balanced respecting his parents' faith and his own beliefs and how at all times they respected his individuality and his independence. It is a story of love, respect, and growing up. Skillfully done, The Longest Trip Home is an enjoyable glimpse into a well lived lives full of humor, affection and adventure.

Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (October 13, 2009), 352 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher and TLC Book Tours.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Grogan, author of Marley and Me, writes a memoir of his life with his strongly cultural Roman Catholic family, and his growing up in Michigan. As in Marley and Me, Grogan plucks at our heartstrings.
This is a well written and thoughtful book, that draws in the reader quickly and is a fast and entertaining read. Grogan is brutally honest and does not spare himself, giving us the unvarnished truth about telling lies in confession, sneaking cigarettes and later pot, and generally coming of age in a family that is almost stifling in its religious fervor. An intelligent guy, Grogan rebels against the R.C. church dictating every aspect of his life, and he describes the tension that pervades his relationship with his parents over his lack of faith, in a candid way. He is at once understanding of and frustrated with his parents, but he loves them, and family love trumps all. This is a book about relationships and the power of forgiveness and tolerance and as such is quite a beautiful reminiscence.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

With the signature sensitivity and humor that Grogan expressed in "Marley and Me", Grogan describes his life growing up in a strict Catholic family and the journey home when his father is ailing. I listened to this (Grogan reads)and there were laugh out loud moments! I totally understood Grogan's need to go to mass toward the end of the book. It is the "Once a Catholic, Always a Catholic feeling" that I can relate to. I have so many problems with the Catholic Church and yet attending a mass can be such a comfort after being raised in the faith. The ending with his mother was poignant and lovely. All of us who are dealing with the ups and downs of assisting and loving aging parents (and aging sibling and selves!) can relate to this memoir.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book. Totally different to 'Marley and Me' but written with such poignancy and love. Grogan does not share his parents' devout Catholicism but never veers into sarcasm; he just tells their story and describes the enviable warmth that the family share. I must admit to shedding tears at the end but it is not a sad book and there is plenty of humour too.

[Cathyg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having grown up in a Catholic family around the same period, I could really relate to some of the stories. I laughed out loud quite a bit. The relationship between father and son was very endearing, and I cried near the end.

[Kristi 🐚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think I've cried so much over a book. I laughed quite a bit too. And I miss my mom and dad something terrible. A memory stirrer.... and such a lovely, lovely, touching book.

[Jan Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you grew up Catholic, you had to read this book. It's wonderful.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. Kind of boring.

I was raised catholic. I went to a catholic grade school and a catholic high school. I am very familiar with the abuse the nuns inflicted upon the children. So that part of the story was very relatable and amusing in a dark twisted way only us catholic school kids of the past can laugh about now. I quit going to mass basically when I got out of grade school. I, like the author, was born a sceptic, was born an anti authoritarian and extremely contrary to boot so I never quite could believe any of the catholic dogma though I tried. Some of the indoctrination stuck though and I still do things like give something up for lent or put out a crèche for Christmastime. What I did take to heart was to treat the least among us with kindness and respect. I always had empathy for others and believed we should try to help each other, understand each other, lift each other up. So I don’t know if some of Jesus’ lessons stuck or if I was born this way.

John Grogan’s parents were kind of whack jobs though. I’m not saying they were bad people because obviously they were not. They were kind and good parents. But the way they forced religion onto their kids drove EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM away from the church. They were corny and weird. The mom crying her eyes out after receiving communion, every single time, would have embarrassed me and traumatized me. I would have looked for any excuse to NOT attend any mass the mother was attending. Cringe AF for me now just reading about it. As a child I would have absolutely hated it and probably would have implored my mother to control herself and to stop embarrassing herself and me too. And the way the author never had the balls to tell his mom and dad to fuck off with the religious stuff was weird and cowardly. No way would I ever put up with that and believe me, I am pretty passive and a people pleaser. But I know how to set boundaries and stick up for my own principles JFC.

The one part of the book that I think anyone can relate to is when the author had to face the reality of his parents aging and then faltering. That is one of life’s more painful lessons to endure. So sad and terrifying and helpless feeling to have to witness someone who had always been strong and independent suddenly need your help and involvement whether or not it is convenient for you yourself at that particular time in your own life. It is a lot to ask and believe me, your parent does NOT want to have to accept how they are burdening you but they have no choice. I’ve been there with my own father in the last year of his life and I know. And what I am learning now, many years later, is I am soon going to be that parent myself who has to burden my own kids with my failing health and neediness. That life lesson with be the cruelest yet I fear.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 - rounded up to 4. I laughed hard and cried hard. John Grogan is a talented storyteller. His memoir is not a "must-read right now," but it was very enjoyable and recommendable. I related well to his Catholic upbringing (although my parents are not nearly as devote as his) and his eventual fallout from Catholicism.

[Marta E C R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I liked this memoir about a naughty, mischievous boy growing up in a strict Catholic family, since I have no real experience with either of those things. But the bottom line is simply that Grogan knows how to write well and to tell a compelling story about his own life. Now I may want to go back and reread Marley and Me!

[Josefin Sundström]

En gladlynt och trevlig memoar om en rebellisk katolsk skolpojke som blev författare

[Annie Carrott Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved Marley & Me - the book about his wild dog! (I had a wild dog too - our first golden Emily) This memoir of his life growing up near Orchard Lake, MI in the 70’s with over the top Catholic parents was a delight! He and his friends got into tons of trouble. The boys seemed to have that happen more than the girls. He turned out not to embrace his family’s religious demands - and turned out to be a really great guy anyway.

[Ioannidesz Evjeniosz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Υπέροχο, Απλό και Συγκινητικό!!!

[Tammy Tosti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of course I know who the author is- he wrote one of most endearing stories about a dog that I have ever read and then of course came the famous movie. This book is John’s story and it’s both funny and sad and I enjoyed every moment of it. I read it in one day which doesn’t happen often ( thank you vacation). What a powerful and honest tribute to his parents and his childhood. Bottom line is he can write and write well- no one hit wonder here.

[Jeff Clausen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This writer chooses subjects that, I feel, could be ho-hum in the hands of an ordinary writer, but are interesting, fun, and poignant in his. ‘Marley and Me’, about a family dog. This title, about growing up in a Detroit suburb and then watching his parents become elderly. Not exactly unusual or exciting, but they do have a relevance because many of us can relate. So Grogan just uses his outstanding talents of description and inner monologue to bring us into his house, his school, his life. The subtext of his Roman Catholic upbringing runs strongly through this memoir, opening a few doors for us non-Catholics to peer through. I recommend this, written as a bouquet to Grogan’s parents, as a nod to the Silent Generation.

[Linda Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Longest Trip Home by John Grogan

"Heaven was not a paradise reserved for the exclusive use of any one religion. The Lord could not be that unfair. There could be either one God who loved everybody the same or no God at all."

The Longest Trip Home is John Grogan's of Marley and Me fame, account of growing up in the 1960's in the suburbs of Detroit. His childhood antics, in a simpler time without cell phones or computers to distract were totally relatable to me. I grew up in the similar Midwest suburbs of nearby Cleveland. John's parents were devote Catholics and everything about their lives and how they raised their children was steeped in serving the Lord. I cracked up when the altar boys finished off what was left of the communion wine after Mass. John and his siblings often had to be on their best behavior because a priest was a frequent dinner guest. A crucifix was a wall decoration in every room of the house.

I too, was raised in a home where my mother dragged us to church every Sunday. We weren't Catholic but Presbyterian. We served grape juice at communion which is boring by comparison. But when John graduated from college and started life on his own, he began to examine his own feelings about religion and faith. Whether it was the times or the faith based foundation, I found myself searching for the same things in that period of my life.

What sealed the deal for me in this book, was how John dealt with his father's illness and his mother's dementia in later years. There is no guidebook for this and he struggled in the same ways I struggled to care for my parents and step mother. He floundered at times and I finally felt that I wasn't alone because I did my fair share of doubting and floundering in similar situations too. Our parents give us what they can and the rest is up to us.

The Longest Trip Home is a great story that I'm certain most baby boomers can find something within its pages to laugh about, cry about and reflect on. I'm so glad I read this.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio book version of The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir is read by the author, which I think adds a sense of authenticity and an almost intimacy with the author because you can actually hear the story in his own words.

Author John Grogan's second book, following Marley Me, is the funny, moving, and at times almost heartbreaking story of a son and his relationship with his father. At times I laughed out loud listening to the author's adventures and misadventures growing up in Michigan followed by his journey as an adult into new worlds and responsibilities far away from home, with experiences and life choices his father would have never have envisioned for his son.

[Pat Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

John Grogan has such a personal style of warmth in his writing. Just as I enjoyed every minute of the book Marley & Me, I enjoyed The Longest Trip Home. Although it seems odd to compare a troubled and loving relationship with parents to a troubled and loving relationship with a dog, I noted that the story arcs are similar in each book. Just as I began to really love his amazing parents, I realized where the story was heading and joined John and his siblings in their concern and eventual mourning. Soon after I finished this book, my own family got into a discussion over religion and its role in our lives, particularly when different family members have different definitions of faith. This book illustrates that we can love and we can disagree and some of us are simply destined to be unsure. I think a book like this brings some comfort to those of us who question by nature, if only to confirm that we are not alone, nor are we doomed to a dismal life. A loving, supportive family is an invaluable aspect of a wonderful life. The Longest Trip Home illustrates this point very well.

[Tara]

When you're getting to know a person, finding out about their past and even a little bit of their personal misdeeds can be endearing. Or, they can share so much information about themselves that you feel uncomfortable and eager for the conversation to end. Think of this book as the latter. I was listening to this book on CD and I couldn't get past the 1st CD. There is a lot of detail which, at the beginning drew me in and I was very interested in this person's life. As it went on, though, too many details emerged and I started wishing that I didn't know quite so much information about the author. I really didn't want to know about the sins this guy committed as a 7-year-old and a 10-year-old. The foreshadowing seemed to indicate that the book would follow the same pattern and I stopped listening before I was forced to sit through a life's worth of confessions. I picked up this book because I loved Marly and Me, but this book wasn't worth my time.