As for the supporting cast, Parrish, is an accomplished folk painter, bringing to life a motley crew of individuals that range from eccentric to lovable. I especially enjoyed Rabbit, Zuriel, and Memory Jones.
Although this is Parrish’s first novel, she’s obviously comfortable in the world of words. Her narrative is crisp and efficient, her description rich with particular detail, and she has a good ear for the give-and-take of conversation.
Home Another Way is about many things, not the least of which is love. It deals with love on several levels. We see parental love displayed in Memory doting on her brain-damaged son, Maggie smothering Beth, and Sarah struggling throughout because of the love she’s missed from physically absent parents and an emotionally abusive grandmother. In a way, Sarah’s whole screwed-up love life -- her relationship with Jack providing just the latest example -- is an attempt to compensate for the rejection she still feels from those lost loves. Sarah also begins to soften to the love of friends – her relationships with Beth and Memory are witness to that.
The novel is also about forgiveness. Sarah realizes that she will need to forgive the people who failed her and, more importantly, make peace with God, whom she’s blamed for all that hasn’t gone well in her life.
If you enjoy the company of a spunky bad-girl heroine who always has a sharp comeback, is rude by reflex but under her armor of barbs has a little-girl heart that longs to be accepted and loved for herself, you’ll want to read Home Another Way by Christa Parrish when it's released in October.
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