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The Breakdown Lane
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The Breakdown Lane
Author: Jacquelyn Mitchard

Book Information
Publisher: HarperCollins
Book Type: Hardcover
Rating:

ISBN-13: 9780060587246 - ISBN-10: 0060587245
Publication Date: 4/1/2005
Pages: 400


Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio CD

Book Description:
Where can a woman turn when her own life threatens to overwhelm her ability to keep her children safe? New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard takes the readers of her newest novel on a wry and moving journey of loss and healing.

Giving advice is what Julieanne does for a living -- every Sunday she doles it out to clueless people she doesn't know, in a column in her local Wisconsin paper. But when it comes to her personal life, Julie herself seems to have missed some clues. Having worked creatively to keep her twenty-year marriage to Leo fresh and exciting, she is completely caught off guard when he tells her he needs to go on a "sabbatical" from their life together, leaving Julie and their three children -- Gabe, Caroline, and Aury -- behind. But it soon becomes clear that his leave of absence is meant to be permanent. The succeeding months are filled with a confusion and sadness that shake the core of the entire family. Things take a turn for the worse when Julie is diagnosed with a serious illness and the children undertake a dangerous journey to find Leo -- before it's too late. As the known world sinks precariously from view, the clan must navigate its way through the shoals of love, guilt, and betrayal. Together, with the help of Leo's parents and Julie's best friend, Cathy, they work their way back to solid ground and a new definition of family.

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Please Rate these Book Reviews

Jennifer W. (GeniusJen) wrote on 9/13/2009...


I actually picked up this book on the recommendation of--don't laugh!--Stephen King. As one of the ten books he recommended for late summer reads in an issue of Entertainment Weekly Magazine, the premise hooked me.

The book centers around a woman who not only loses her husband to a wacky desire to live a simpler and more-fulfilling life, but has to single-handedly raise two teenagers and a young daughter by herself, all while dealing with her diagnosis of MS.

THE BREAKDOWN LANE is women's fiction at its best. I actually enjoyed the two first-person accounts that make up the book (it's in the form of a journal belonging to the mother and one written by the son). Although it does end up with a rather happily-ever-after ending, this book details life in all its ups and downs--and you'll appreciate being along for the ride.

Stacey C. (HarleyMumof2) wrote on 6/9/2009...


I loved this book. The struggles of this books main character is one that is so touching, that I almost didn't list this book because I might want to read it again. I decided if I do, I will order it again on this site. Mitchard is a great author and this is one of her finer works in my opinion.

Mary B. (eagles) wrote on 6/15/2007...


A light read, not particularly memorable, but an entertaining book.

Danette G. wrote on 11/17/2006...


Great read, a little confusing in the beginning but when it finally came together it was excellent!

Barbara S. (barbelaine1) wrote on 7/13/2006...


Serious stuff here. Hard to put down. An absorbing read.

Robin S. (Lucyvp) wrote on 7/4/2006...


Not my favorite by this author but it was a good book.

Linda H. (booklover3032) wrote on 2/10/2006...


Her best book since Deep End of the Ocean. I enjoyed it.

Pat R. (cats16) wrote on 1/13/2006...


Wow, a great book. It took me on and off this week to read it but it was really good. You just wanted to beat her soon to be ex, then her ex over his head so bad but it was ok, his karma came back to bite him! Very moving story told from the point of view of the woman/mom and her older son.


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