LONG DRIVE HOME (WILL ALLISON)

Story Description: 

In Will Allison's critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, a happily married man makes a split-second decision that sends his life into a devastating tailspin.  

Life can change in an instant because of one small mistake. For Glen Bauer, all it takes is a quick jerk of the steering wheel, an impulsive move intended to scare a reckless driver-not kill him. But when Glen realizes no one saw the deadly accident, he lies to the police, to his wife, even to his six-year-old daughter, Sara, who was in the backseat at the time of the crash. As his wife's panicked plan to save their family instead threatens to tear it apart, Glen can't help wondering: What if the accident wasn't really his fault? What if someone else were to blame? Struggling to understand the extent of his own culpability, Glen finds himself on yet another collision course, different in kind but with equally terrible potential. 

Long Drive Home is a stunning cautionary tale of unintended consequences that confirms Will Allison's reputation as a rising literary talent.  

My Review: 

The story opens with letter written to 8-year-old, Sara, from her father, Glen.  He is writing the letter in the hope that she will understand when she’s older, why he did what he did. 

Two years prior when, Sara, was 6-years-old, Glen had picked her up from Grade 1 at the end of the school day.  It was October and Sara had been part of a Thanksgiving Day play about the Pilgrims. 

On their way home a Jaguar driven by an 18-year-old young man came toward Glen and Sara’s car and swerved into their lane.  Glen was irate and swerved his car purposely into the Jaguar’s lane but the Jaguar was still a bit over the line in Glen’s lane.  The Jag kept swerving until his front right tire hit the curb.  Then his back end came around, the car went up on two wheels and began rolling side over side coming right at Glen and Sara.  The driver of the Jag was killed. 

Glen had only intended to scare the young driver not kill him but when he realizes that no one saw the accident he lies to the police, his wife, and Sara.  This one lie ultimately changes the entire course of his life.  What’s that old saying: “Oh what tangled webs we weave when we practice to deceive.” 

Will Allison has taken a very real life situation and turned into a stunning and gripping novel.  As they say: “The truth will always set you free!”