Take Me Home

Hearts of the Children #4

by Dean Hughes

Just as Hans's life is improving, he begins to suspect that German authorities are watching him again. Going back to prison would be painful, but worse is the thought that he might miss his opportunity for a future with Elli.

Gene is surviving the terrors of a jungle war day by day, with long periods of boredom followed by moments of utter terror. Can he really make it home, when so many are dying all around him? And if so, will Emily and Danny even recognize the man he has become?

Kathy has joined the Peace Corps and traveled to the Philippines, determined to make a difference, but she finds that her eagerness to help only alienates people. When the local LDS branch president asks her to accept a calling, Kathy is unsure. She can't seem to find a place where she really belongs.

Diane's marriage to Greg is certainly not turning out the way she had imagined it. She still has reason to doubt his faithfulness to her, and he's becoming abusive. Diane wants to make her marriage work, but she's wondering how many chances she should give her difficult husband.

Take Me Home continues the gripping story of life in the sixties for the Thomas grandchildren--a time of turmoil and trial, of growth and self-discovery. If you're interested in the lessons of history, or if you're simply looking for a powerful LDS novel, you won't want to miss this fourth volume of the Hearts of the Children series.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Religion, Fiction, Church, Historical

437 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diane, Don't go back to Greg. Don't do it!!! Diane is finding herself in her alone time. Working to support her and Jenny and figuring out how to be a single mom. At the end she contemplating going back to the evil monster, people change but I will never believe it. You get one shot, after a divorce...move on honey. Greg is a jerk because he won't deal with his wartime trauma and Kathy is finally getting to be a pleasant character.

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best book in the series so far. Kathy finally wasn’t annoying, Gene got home from Nam, Hans is still a beast, Diane finally develops a personality. I loved the portrayal of the Philippines. The worst parts were gene in Vietnam but the other parts were great

[Dora Okeyo]

The kids are all grown up and now it's America invading Vietnam and Gene comes to learn that there is more to war than staying alive.
Diane is married and her dream of living happy and content turns out to be more than she bargained for and all in all what remains is the family, knowing they have somewhere to turn to.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book! I LOVE IT! I'm so happy Kathy came home from the Phillipines. I was starting to get a little bored there.

Gene! Oh my! What a temper! And he got SHOT! WHAT! Poor, poor, Gene! I love him though!

POOR DIANE! That is so sad! BAD GREG! How could he hit her! He calimed to love her but I guess that was all it was- just a claim. Although at the end of the book part of me wish he WOULD change and Diane could get her happily ever after.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book of the series covers December 1969 to July 24, 1971 (Utah Pioneer Day). Hughes continues to show that he is an outstanding author. LDS audiences will especially relate to the story but Christian readers looking for clean historical fiction will also appreciate the series. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions to stay at home, I finished this one within a week.

In this book, Gene finishes his time in Vietnam and now struggles to live with what he experienced there. Dean Hughes has morphed Gene's character into one type of Vietnam Veteran which appears genuine, quite believable. Kathy spends her time in the Peace Corps in rural Philippines. Her experiences with host country nationals, both inside and outside the church, put a lump in my throat at least a couple of times. The story of Hans becomes a little overwhelming as the reader will constantly wonder-"Is he going to end up in prison again?" The story of Diane and Greg's marriage is the soap opera element of the series that other reviewers refer to. Unlike a soap opera, Hughes writes some brutally realistic scenes of domestic violence. Each character faces their own challenges, far away from a "happily ever after" but readers will want to cheer them on--and I did.

This volume closes up some of the stories but the author insisted on writing a fifth book (making a total of 10 books in the story of the Thomas family--Children of the Promise followed by Hearts of the Children). I wonder what this fifth book will contribute to the plot and characters? Unlike many reviewers, I did not read the Children of the Promise series first so I cannot compare the writing and characters to that series of the WWII generation.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet, again another amazing volume in the Thomas family saga. Dean Hughes created characters that are believable, emotional, and sometimes even a bit gritty. This volume dealt with issues relating to Viet Nam, judging others, personal growth, drug addiction, patience with yourself, mental illness, and spouse abuse. That's a lot for one volume!

My favorite message was love is what changes people, not cogent arguments.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The character development by this point is so well done and I love Dianne's growth as well as Hans. I love the way Dean Hughes looks at the different issues of the time through the situations the different characters go through.

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting book. I loved following all the characters storylines, even if it wasnt all that happy, but I cheered for their successes. I can't wait to read the last book in the series and see how life is for everyone!

[Kimmie Davenport · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I loved that it switched perspectives and showed what each person is going through. It was fun to read and I liked that it was easy to understand and that it was about stuff I know. I would recommend it!

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this series.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the whole series!!

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books just get better as you move further into the series. Hughes really knows how to capture human emotion.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful conclusion to the Thomas family. He finished in 1973 when I was born. I appreciate a look at what life might have looked like then. ❤️

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book!

[Hanna Waldram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as wonderful as the previous books! I love the Thomas family! Definitely for a very LDS audience, just as a heads up for what you’re getting into! :)

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book with a good message. Life is messy and everyone has to make their own way. Family and God support along the way. Relatable characters. Fast paced.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This heartfelt book brought tears to my eyes. Be true!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book. I thought the music at the beginning and ending of the chapters was annoying and you can't skip it because it's in the background of the words. This book felt like a soap opera, more than the previous three books in the series.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my goodness. Another great book by Dean Hughes. The story just pulled me along. I had briefly started it, then one Sunday afternoon I picked it up, a few chapters in and finished it the next day.

We the stories changed, I would find myself being drawn to different characters. That was neat.

Hans:
I loved his story. At first I was mad at him for not telling Elli he loved her, and putting his gov status before his personal love. Then things worked out and I was very happy. I can't wait to finish their tale.

Diane:
FINALLY! I was waiting and waiting for her to leave Greg. I'm so glad she did. It was really terrible to read her keep making excuses for herself. I detest Greg so much and I have from the the MOMENT he says Hi. I've predicted this all along and It's so sad. He's terrible. I'm so glad she's rid of him. It's heartbreaking. Especially since her dream was to have a lovely marriage and family. I'm so glad she has Jenny. Jenny is precious and reminds me of my younger sisters.

Gene:
I gotta say that I liked his war scenes better than Alex's in Children of the Promise. i don't know why. In the first series I kinda just skimmed them because I wasn't into them that much, but with Gene's his I think we done better and I was interested more. Oh my goodness. I really started hating his attitude at the end of the book. I'm really sorry for his being shot and all, but just his attitude. I know he had horrible experience and everything....... Okay so his story feels almost like a repeat of his dad's. Like I'm not kidding. They both got Medals, both got injuries, both had a terrible time afterwards. I mean COME ON. Though I still like Gene.

Kathy:
I think her story got better oh about Halfway through the book. For the first books I kinda just trudged along through her chapters never getting into it, hating her attitude and how she distanced herself from everything. I'm so glad she's back now! I'm glad she's back from the Phillipines as well. I really hope that something works out with her and Marshall in the next book. :D She needs to get married!

All in all I loved this book and am almost sad that I only have one more book left to go. But Dean is a spectacular writer so I'm sure I'll be happy and content.

[Stan Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This penultimate book of the "Hearts of the Children" series gets all the characters, who are deep into their various experiences (Gene--in combat in Vietnam; Kathy--in the Peace Corps in the Philippines; Diane--in an abusive marriage in Seattle; Hans--under close surveillance by the Stasi in East Germany) away from what they thought were their troubles and into the joys and problems of coming home. I am rereading this series and previously thought it was not as good as the author's "Children of the Promise" series, but this time around I think it is excellent and equally worthy, and I haven't been able to put it down until I fall asleep with it in my hands. Hughes does a great job of representing the various views of the issues of the 1960s and early 1970s while following the characters' lives and without being too obvious. Highly recommended series.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series seems to get less compelling as it goes along. I'm not sure if it is the 60s subject matter, the political issues, the Vietnam war, or just less compelling characters, but I had a hard time slogging through this one. The book is divided into 4 characters, with each chapter about a different character. I actually read through the book 4 times, by just skipping ahead to keep some continuity of the story. I'll probably read the last book in the series, but I'm taking a break for now.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel series to Children of the Promise Series. It is about the same LDS, just the next generation after WWII. About their struggles and different views people had during my parent's day and age. I enjoyed "living" the history from the 50's to 70's and I would recommend it! He doesn't get involved as much in each person's life because he covers a lot of history and views, but I didn't mind.

[Barbara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pretty much nothing is happening in this book. Reading about Gene is okay, but boring. Diane's life is terrible, and when she finally gets away from the idiot, he comes back in. I think it's a bit overkill when there is (no joke, i counted) TEN pages (all at once) of Greg and her talking. EEK!!! Kathy is terrible until the end, and oh yeah. Hans, the one guy who's been getting me through this series, anyhoo, Hans' story is pretty dull now too.

[Sadie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting to like Kathy's storyline better after reading this book. She eventually gets less annoying by the end. Again, a good story, but nothing I get overly excited about and I'm not sure this series would be one that would come to mind when someone asks me what's a good book to read. I did not, however, feel like I wasted my time reading this one and I'm sure if you are a fan of LDS Fiction you would like this series.

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well after weeks I finally finished this, but not because I didn't like it. I've just been too busy to read. At this point in the series, we're still following 4 cousins, and a LOT happens to them. I like where the plot is going and I like where the author is taking the characters. I also like that not everyone's story is happy happy perfect fairy tale ending; it seems more realistic. Of course there still is one book left and I'm sure everything will be tied up nicely.

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of books! I really do think, though, that to enjoy this book it is helpful to have read the others of the series. Even though the author tries to give some background info on the different characters, I don't think it would be easy to care about their development without having read the earlier books.

[Heather C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this series a few years ago, and checked this one out from the library trying to refresh my mind. I enjoyed reading these books, mostly because of the mix of fictional characters during a historical time. Might be my favorite way to learn history (although probably not the most accurate!). If anyone has access to the fifth and final book, I'd be interested in reading it!