Oprah Book Club® Selection, March 2000: Not since S.E. Hinton (The Outsiders) has a female novelist penned such a tough and titillating portrait of lower-class, crime-ridden manhood. Set in "beautiful, ruined" western Pennsylvania, amid Eat n' Parks and Lick n' Putts, Tawni O'Dell's Back Roads follows Harley Altmyer as he walks a raging, self-conscious line between crime and innocence. Why is he being held by the authorities, and what's he so mad about? In the recent past, it's his mother, who murdered his father and went to jail for life. In the far past, it's Dad himself: an abusive, hopeless man. In the present, it's the responsibility for his three younger sisters, which makes him fantasize about smashing their faces in until they "spit up bloody macaroni and cheese."
But Harley still has a conscience--barely. He doesn't strike his sisters; he's been trying to protect them. The oldest is sassy Amber, 16, who's having sex on the living-room couch with townies who abuse her; next is frighteningly stoic 12-year-old Misty, with eyes "a glazed brown like a medicine bottle"; the youngest is adorable Jody, who at 6 pens to-do lists with items such as "PRAY FOR DADDYS SOWL." Overburdened with the practicalities of life, and the ever-mounting losses, Harley has started seeing his own words floating in the air in front of his face. "CLOSURE. TRUTH. MOST GUYS."

This first novel opens well. O'Dell does an impeccable job of making Harley both brutal and forgivable. Here, for instance, he retreats to his basement room: "I lay there until dawn, thinking about Dad, and feeling the same useless frustration I had felt the first time I had seen him piss on a sparkling white drift of pure new snow."

But that delicacy is soon lost, and Back Roads risks becoming an overabundant affair, pitched high, with a roller-coaster trajectory. Harley's anger metamorphoses into an almost bloodthirsty lust for his sexy, middle-aged neighbor, which stirs up myriad forbidden family secrets. Misty, it turns out, has been hiding something. Amber revolts. And even Jody's scribbles turn malevolent. While the writing is good throughout, the tension and plotting assume an unpleasant adolescent posture--bodice-ripping passion and mordant gloom combined. Nonetheless, O'Dell's assured and touching portrait of her protagonist emerges unscathed. You will likely remember luckless, fated Harley Altmyer long after his tsunamic tale has receded. And no matter what the judge decides, you will understand why this impoverished, angry young man was probably the most innocent one of all.
AMAZON.COM REVIEW

This book was very deep and emotional. It brings you into the lives of a very dysfunctional family where incredible circumstances leave 3 children without parents. It was disturbing at times, but no more so than life can be at times. Overall this book was definitely worth reading.

Very good read. A bit twisted, but in a totally, frighteningly believable way. Do NOT read this book if you have been abused or have a hard time dealing with the reality of the darkside of human nature. Very well written. It will make your heart thump right along with the characters !

This is a great book. Excellent plot, great characters. Very fast read.

O'Dell is, for me, a local writer, and she's sure got it down when she describes rural Western Pennsylvania. This book gives you a lot to think about: clear characters facing real problems, beautiful writing that'll stay with you. I first read this a few years ago and parts of it have stayed with me since.

I will not say this is the best book I've ever read, but it did hold my interest. The beginning is a little jumbled but a little further on it starts to make sense. Worth the time to read.

Intense read one of the better Oprah books.

Loved it. Another sweet coming of age story.

Wonderful characterization. Slight twist in plot in the end, good read.

This was one Oprah book I did not like. The storyline was hard to follow and contrived at times.

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This was an Oprah selection. It is a very moving story about children living on their own after parents become unavailable/ Made me laugh and cry.

One of the best books I have read! Heartbreaking yet extremely moving!

Like this. Oprah picks good books.

An interesting view of a sad life.

NY Times Bestseller, Oprah's Book Club

An intense story of family, fraility, and dysfunction, set in the coal-mining towns of western Pennsylvania. Harley Altmyer, the heartbreaking, hilarious, and lovable hero of Tawni O'Dell's riveting debut novel, has more on his shoulders than most guys his age. With his father dead and his mother in jail for the murder, Harley is trapped by his responsibilities, juggling two low-paying jobs and the care of his three younger sisters. His only escape is in the occasional six-pack---and in the beautiful young woman whose unexpected attentions provide Harley with pretty much the only pleasure in his crazy, chaotic life. But while Harley is struggling to keep it together, things start to fall apart, leading to a series of staggering surprises. Then only Harley's endearing humor his love for his sisters, and his bumbling heroics can redeem them all...

A story that captivates you. It kept me interested.

Not my favorite book....but if you agree with Oprahs choices you will like it.

Harley Altmyer has more on his shoulders than most guys his age. With his father dead and his mother in jail for the murder, Harley is trapped by his responsibilities. juggling two low-paying jobs and the care of his three younger sisters. His only escape is in the occasional six-pack-and in the beautiful young woman whose unexpected attentions provide Harley with pretty much the only pleasure in his crazy, chaotic life.
This book is a "Oprah's Book Club" with readers guide inside.

This book was an Oprah's Book club pick.

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