Book Review: Going Home By Danielle Steel

  Gillian Forrester is a new divorcee with a five-year-old daughter Samantha who moves from New York to San Francisco for a fresh start. The easily forgotten by everyone Sam was nothing but a side character obsessed with cowboys and saying things children her age would never say. Gillian, on the other hand, was for certain the most infuriating female character I ever read about. Immature, irresponsible, childish, needy, clingy, and seemingly incapable of picking a decent man to date.

  I found fascinating how terrible these characters were but still you can’t put down the book. It’s like when a friend comes to ask for your advice on her/his abusive boyfriend even though you’ve told her/him a zillion times what an asshole the guy was. It’s just a matter of time ‘till things go south and you know eventually they will and until that happens you’re hooked to the story and you worry for your friend.

  The same feeling applies to this book, despite everyone telling Gillian, “Uncle Crits” as Sam calls him is bad news she irresponsibly and carelessly ignores them all as if people who cared about her didn’t have the right to step in and speak their minds. Even her best friend Peg, which is by the way, the best character of this whole book alongside with Hilary her friend from NYC. Two strong women in two distinct ways and you definitely wonder how opposites can be good friends; it’s almost tragic how everyone seems to know how fucked up things are but Gillian.

On the bright side, I got the best definition of New York City I’ve ever read:

“New York is like a bitch of a woman, she’s too much to handle and I don’t admire her lifestyle, but, in deference to what she is and what she stands for, I have to admit it when she moves out in style. And in October she does.”

  When you think things are getting better halfway through the book, the ghost of the homophobic asshole Chris returns and brings with him the old Gillian, a person you wish you wouldn’t ever meet in person. Her desperation and longing for Chris’ love and approval returns and in full effect. Gordon Harte which is briefly introduced but quickly remembered for his decency amongst despicable men like Chris is left behind the minute he returns and the nightmare seems to never stop. Gillian seems to not realize the harm her relationship with Chris is doing to her life and even to her daughter Sam, which as I said before is easily forgotten by her.

  In a sense this book will awaken genuine emotions out of you. Though, it wasn't the most enjoyable reading of my life I can say you’re in for a ride once you start this book, it is for the wrong reasons a real page-turner. This book was also my introduction to Danielle Steel and her writing abilities which impressed me big time. One thing is hating the characters for who they are, another thing is disliking the writing, which I did not, I got a lot of pearls of wisdom for some of the characters even from Gillian in her New York City phase. I look forward to reading more books from her.