Home Before Dark

I love Susan Wiggs books! This is another wonderful one. It de

I love Susan Wiggs books!

This is another wonderful one.

It deals with the effect keeping secrets has on loved ones as well as dealing with a debilitating illness that ends with blindness. I gained a lot from the emotional struggles within the characters and was satisfied with their final development.

I was enthralled with the detailed description of learning to deal with and becoming independent after losing sight.

I felt the ending happened a bit to abruptly with out voicing some of the fears and struggles Jessie was still facing and how she came to terms with them. You know she does and are satisfied with her decisions but would like to hear her voice them for greater satisfaction.

All time favorite

This book is my very favorite of Susan Wiggs. A must read for any Wiggs fan!

Home Before Dark Audio Cassette

My mother is legally blind and has listened to many of Susan Wiggs' audio cassettes, but this audio is read too fast with little feelings and pauses/stalls at many unusual times. Is it the CD or the reader? Poor review mainly because of the reader.

highly recommended - fabulous read!!!

I didn't want to put this book down. Susan Wiggs really knows how to write and get all of your emotions involved.

Three Generations of Drama

This is a story based mostly on the relationship of two sisters, Luz and Jessie. It touches on their mother who was distant, self involved and always in need of a man. The behavior of Lila, the daughter/niece is also examined. For the most part, it is a very touching story. Jess was a free spirit always on the go and Luz was the stable, dependable wife and mom. After years of separation Jess returns and they need to resolve past issues in order to try to have the close relationship they both desire. There is also a romance for Jessie that takes the book from insightful to sappy. The romance would have been better placed in a fairy tale and and if had been deleted would have made this book outstanding. Susan Wiggs has an enjoyable writing style and I would read her work in the future.

A wonderful read!

One of Susan Wiggs' best novels, this is a rich, compelling story with interesting characters. Highly recommended!

Great Story

I loved the book and after I got into it I could not put it down, but when I had to, I kept it close by so I could pick it up again.

Another Pleasing Story by SW...

In this latest book I selected, Home Before Dark, I had trouble connecting with the lead heroine Jessie and her eventual beau Dusty. She reminded me of so many girls I know who are pretty, spirited, have all the guys after them and spend their lives on the go ¿ never being serious or dealing with reality ¿ because they can¿t deal with it and often don¿t have to. So¿they travel the world and hide behind their looks or talent as inside they are fragile and easily crushed. Jessie had it all to the outside world but, inside she was struggling to find herself and her place in life. Although I appreciated her struggle and journey, I simply never felt emotionally tied to her as the main character, even with her progressing blindness and disease. Instead¿I kept seeing how selfish she was from the time she was a teenager, through her 20¿s and 30¿s and so on. I was irritated with how much she took from people and often how little she gave in return. This made it hard for me to connect with her, feel sympathy for her situation, etc. I warmed up to her more by the end but, she still had a lot of making up to do than the book would allow. I liked Dusty ¿ her future man but, he came in and out in sections and scenes and I could have used more of him to really feel for him as a leading man. I enjoyed reading more about Jessie¿s sister Luz as she was stable, reliable and trust worthy, the rock of the family ¿ both in the younger years and in the middle years. Luz could be depended on as a daughter, sister, wife, mother and co-worker. She was not perfect ¿ in looks, brains or skills but, she had a heart of gold and gave everything her all. I even liked her husband Ian¿he was her perfect compliment. He was handsome, intelligent, solid and kind. Not exciting but, someone you could have fun with, change with the seasons and grow old with great comfort. That has its own appeal. There was so much going on in this story ¿ kids getting in a car crash, a death, disclosure of who Lila¿s real mother and father were, relationship issues with Jessie & Dusty and Luz and Ian, the activity of kids and parents and careers in photography, etc. that the story line almost got away from itself at times. Not because it wasn¿t told well but, simply because there was too much going on. Although this is the least favorite of my books by this author so far, it is still a gem. I don¿t think SW can write a bad book. When you are as good at story telling as this author is, even her least appealing works rank above other authors best attempts. I would recommend this book and the other ones even more. Give her a try if you haven¿t yet. You¿ll be glad you did. She is great at tapping into human emotions and the complexity of relationships ¿ man/woman, adult/child, female to female and more. Happy reading!

warm modern day family drama

After living for the past fifteen years in New Zealand and photographing much of the world, Jessie Ryder returns to her hometown of Edenville, Texas near Austin. Jessie suffers from a debilitating illness that will leave her blind, so she needs to see her biological daughter Lila one last time. Years ago Jessie became pregnant after making love to Ian Benning, who later met, fell in love with, and married her sister Luc. Jessie hid the father¿s identity from everyone and her newly married sister and husband adopted Lila and loved her as their own. Jessie wants Ian and Luc to tell Lila the truth about whom is her biological mother. As the trio struggles with what is best for Lila, the teen engages in hill hopping which leads to the death of another passenger. Meanwhile, Jessie falls in love with widower neighbor Dusty Matlock and his little girl. However, Jessie does not trust relationships so as she loses her sight she flees, but not before the Bennings tell Lila the truth. HOME BEFORE DARK is an engaging relationship novel that contains a delightful extended cast. Much of the tale focuses on Jessie, yet readers also learn about the other key characters. Although why Jessie felt that Lila had to know the truth is never fully explained, the audience will savor this warm modern day family drama. Harriet Klausner

Another WIGGS 'success story'!!

HOME BEFORE DARK is a must read. So compelling you cannot put it down! The story is refreshingly different, the setting, the family members are places and people you instantly know. (One VERY slight distraction--is Jessie a bit too much the martyr????? )

Home Before Dark

When two sisters collide over the life's most emotional issues, it's a tender and poignant story that will stay with you long after the book is closed. Jessie Ryder gave her baby to her sister Luz and took off to see the world. Years later, the baby is 15 and in big trouble! Jessie's back, and filled with secrets. This story just took me over and the minute I turned the last page I turned back to the front and read it all over again. It's just that good.

Bold & Beautiful!

Susan Wiggs breaks all the barriers with this story about two sisters who've been apart for sixteen years, and the daughter they share. Secrets unfurl with brilliantly crafted pacing, stunning prose, and impeccable timing throughout this groundbreaking novel. Ms. Wiggs pulls no punches and touches on heavy family dilemmas and values that would send lesser authors scrambling for safer territory. It takes an author of incredible talent and sensitivity to pen a novel of such depth and warmth. Brava Ms. Wiggs! All I can say is more, more, MORE!

Home Before Dark

Wow, I'm stunned by the power of this relatively simple story of two sisters. Jessie is the free spirit, coming home at last after 15 yrs. Luz is the stay-at-home mom with dreams of her own and four kids and a sweet but clueless husband. Between the sisters is Lila-- the daughter Jessie gave birth to and Luz adopted. Suddenly, something important is going on with Jessie and she feels she has to reconnect with Lilah and reveal a shocking secret. (unlike other reviewers I won't ruin the surprise) Jessie falls in love (and you will too) with Dusty Matlock and his infant daughter. This book took me into the heart of a woman's life, and reflected it back at me. I can't think of any higher praise than that!!!!

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