This is a novel that will resonate with many, many people. I finished reading it yesterday and definitely recommend it. And the whole fantasy (for Alle; reality for the protagonist) of stealing money and running away--that so rings true. Even those of us who had relatively good childhoods without abuse have fantasized about exactly how we would escape from home and lead a life free of parental restraints, full of exciting opportunities. (Not that one can usually do a successful job of running off as a teen without access to money!)
Thank you Karla, for the generous repose to my work. It's funny; I never thought of "normal" kids having that desire to run away. (Even though I've watched both my kids as indignant three year old stomp down the front porch stairs and then the cement path to the street.) It's all about the freedom, that universal human need for self.
Thanks for getting the comments started, Barb! I agree with you about the influence of personal experience influencing literature. It is sometimes difficult to keep such events out of a story, but having lived something I'm writing about can't help but squeak through and usually makes the writing more authentic, more real.
Your comment about the title really reached into my heart, BJM With the exception of the publisher who finally took the novel, everyone - agents, editor, my husband - said, "You need to shorten the title." But "as far as you can go" isn't really the book. It's all about the how and why and if of coming back.
Your title has elegant. It reminds me of the Terry Pratchett quote " Coming home again is not the same as never having left. " They both tell a story in the title.
Yes, I think the desire to run away or experience some strange new way of life is common to both the abused and the secure; maybe not to those in between. I certainly used to imagine how I would carry off departure, apart from the money or where exactly I'd go; I'd think about which things I'd take. But it was also sort of like imagining what I'd take if my whole family had to go into hiding under the Nazis. Like you, I put the runaway dream into fiction (an as-yet-unfinished novel), but money has a tiny role compared to hitchhiking.
Thank you, Monette - when you have a chance to, that would be fantastic. I would love your reaction to the novel. You can find me on the usual electronic platforms: Facebook, Substack, Twitter (although I am seriously reconsidering staying on Twitter). Please do come back to me with your opinions. One of the reason I publish is to be able to interact with readers about their ideas and feelings.
This is a novel that will resonate with many, many people. I finished reading it yesterday and definitely recommend it. And the whole fantasy (for Alle; reality for the protagonist) of stealing money and running away--that so rings true. Even those of us who had relatively good childhoods without abuse have fantasized about exactly how we would escape from home and lead a life free of parental restraints, full of exciting opportunities. (Not that one can usually do a successful job of running off as a teen without access to money!)
Hi Karla! Thanks for joining the conversation. Your thoughts about Alle's novel are spot on!
Thank you Karla, for the generous repose to my work. It's funny; I never thought of "normal" kids having that desire to run away. (Even though I've watched both my kids as indignant three year old stomp down the front porch stairs and then the cement path to the street.) It's all about the freedom, that universal human need for self.
What an amazing story. The best literature comes out of personal pain and conquering it. And the title is perfect.
Thanks for getting the comments started, Barb! I agree with you about the influence of personal experience influencing literature. It is sometimes difficult to keep such events out of a story, but having lived something I'm writing about can't help but squeak through and usually makes the writing more authentic, more real.
Your comment about the title really reached into my heart, BJM With the exception of the publisher who finally took the novel, everyone - agents, editor, my husband - said, "You need to shorten the title." But "as far as you can go" isn't really the book. It's all about the how and why and if of coming back.
Your title has elegant. It reminds me of the Terry Pratchett quote " Coming home again is not the same as never having left. " They both tell a story in the title.
Yes, I think the desire to run away or experience some strange new way of life is common to both the abused and the secure; maybe not to those in between. I certainly used to imagine how I would carry off departure, apart from the money or where exactly I'd go; I'd think about which things I'd take. But it was also sort of like imagining what I'd take if my whole family had to go into hiding under the Nazis. Like you, I put the runaway dream into fiction (an as-yet-unfinished novel), but money has a tiny role compared to hitchhiking.
How wonderful to turn pain in adventure. This sounds like a book I'd very enjoy reading and will add it to my list.
Thank you, Monette - when you have a chance to, that would be fantastic. I would love your reaction to the novel. You can find me on the usual electronic platforms: Facebook, Substack, Twitter (although I am seriously reconsidering staying on Twitter). Please do come back to me with your opinions. One of the reason I publish is to be able to interact with readers about their ideas and feelings.