It’s been quite the busy summer for me! I’ve started a wide variety of freelance projects and I’m still getting my sea legs so to speak when it comes to my freelance offerings specifically. Anyways, taking a reading break has been a necessity. I had the opportunity to review As Far As You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back by Alle C. Hall as part of a blog tour with WOW! Women on Writing. I can’t wait to tell you about it!
But first, here’s more about the book:
Nominated for The National Book Award and The Pacific Northwest Booksellers Book Award, Alle C. Hall’s debut literary novel, As Far As You Can Go Before You Have to Come Back is a-girl-and-her-backpack story with a #MeToo influence:
Carlie is not merely traveling. A child sexual abuse survivor, as a teen she steals ten thousand dollars from her parents and runs away to Asia. There, the Lonely Planet path of hookups, heat, alcohol, and drugs takes on a terrifying reality. Landing in Tokyo in the late 1980s, Carlie falls in with an international crew of tai chi-practicing backpackers. With their help, Carlie has the chance at a journey she didn’t plan for: one to find the self-respect ripped from her as a child and the healthy sexuality she desires.
My Thoughts
I would have to say that I had a bit of a hard time with the first portion of the book because of how raw it was. But it’s real and sexual abuse is a reality many people face. I really felt the book opened up for me after that, though. I loved reading about Carlie’s journey to healing. There was such strong character development and excellent writing that I was compelled to finish. I highly encourage anyone out there to read this one. There’s definitely a reason it got so many awards!
Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Bookshop.org, or Barnes and Noble. Make sure you also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
Excellent review!