Home Free
About
This historical fiction novel follows Nell as she grows up in a small Georgia town in the 1940s and 1950s. Her family is both poor and dysfunctional as Nell seeks to find what she wants in life.
She searches for worthiness and belonging, trying to find comfort in friends and even in God, but without success. It is a moving account of one girl’s decisions as she tries to understand her world and where she fits. The reader comes to admire Nell on the very first page and cheer her on as, in the last chapter, she finally realizes that her family—which has pulled itself together at last—is where she can find what she needs.
Praise for this book
Home Free is nothing short of magical. Of the more than eighty books I’ve read this year, this one stands out as my absolute favorite.
From the very first pages, it became more than just a good read—it completely absorbed me. The story, the richly drawn characters, and the vivid details pulled me in so completely that I forgot I was even holding a book. It felt as though I were watching the story unfold from a corner of the room, every moment gripping and compelling.
Not just Nell, but every character who appeared more than a couple of times felt vividly real. They lingered in my thoughts, even when I was busy with other things. Few books achieve that level of immersion, and Home Free delivers it effortlessly.
If you’re looking for a story that will sweep you off your feet and stay with you long after you’ve finished, I can’t recommend this one highly enough.
I grew up in rural Georgia, and can relate to almost everything in this book. It is as if I was young again, reliving my past!
For many, growing up in the south in the 1950's was confusing and difficult. Home Free defines this period very well. You come to better understand and care for the characters who inhabit the complexities of this time.
A beautifully detailed and described journey through a young girl's life, her dreams and her challenges, until finally she is happily home free. Jean McCord's evocative prose brings alive the girl, her family, her culture, and her environment. HOME FREE is a book to read, to enjoy, to remember.