"Insightful family drama"

Her husband who walked on water in her mind died eighteen months ago, but not before Annie learned he betrayed her trust in him. Moving on Annie Jacobs has become the vice president of the loan department at Portland National Bank. Before she can settle in her new position, her estranged sister Dana calls to ask a favor; while she is in rehab, can her teenage daughter Summer stay with her aunt in Maine? Reluctantly Annie agrees.

Annie is shocked when the teen dressed totally in black arrives. Summer is sullen and nasty towards everyone including Annie, her lover Tony Marino and her two best friends. Everyone tells Annie not to put up with the garbage and ship the ungrateful punk home. However, Annie sees a frightened child trusting no adult as neither her mom nor her aunt have ever been there for this neglected Goth teen. Annie plans to change that by taking the guff, but also showering her niece with tough love as they both begin to heal with the help of one another.

This is a strong character driven tale starring two people hurt and betrayed by those who they respectively love the most in the world. Summer is a fabulous character as Diane Amos provides the audience with a powerful look into a distraught disengaged teen. Though some of the plot seems off kilter to the personalities of the lead pair, readers who appreciate an insightful family drama will want to take A LONG WALK HOME with Annie and Summer.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted November 5, 2005