Fair warning - there are some graphic scenes in this, but none of them are gratuitous and all contribute to the story. Set in North Carolina during one of the most volatile times in the civil rights movement, when even an interracial friendship, (much less a romance), could cause problems, this book is a powerful and emotional read. It's a small peek into the uglier side of history in America, made personal by the endearing main characters. A great read with some themes that might be difficult for some readers. ( )

Recommended Read

The Last Road Home is a heartbreakingly poignant coming of age novel that takes place in rural North Carolina in the years leading up the Civil Rights Movement. This powerful debut by Danny Johnson is a realistic portrayal of race relations and farm life that is incredibly relevant in today's volatile climate where racism, bigotry and hatred are sadly once again on the rise.

After eight year old Raeford "Junebug" Hurley's parents are killed in a car accident, he goes to live full-time with his grandparents on their tobacco farm. Junebug is deeply influenced by his surprisingly forward thinking grandparents who do not share their fellow Southerners prejudices and he forms a close friendship with Lightning and Fancy, the children of sharecroppers from a nearby farm.  Unlike his grandparents whose faith is unshakeable, he does not view his religious teachings as absolute truth and as he endures loss after loss, he is pretty much done with religion. Although his relationship with Lightning becomes tense off and on throughout the years, Junebug and Fancy always remain close therefore it is no surprise to those closest to them when their friendship deepens into forbidden love. With the ugly specter of the Ku Klux Klan looming over them and the harsh reality of the hatred that surrounds them, is Junebug and Fancy's relationship doomed to fail?

Despite the losses he has endured and the sometimes cruel nature of farm living, Junebug is a sensitive, kindhearted and thoughtful young man. He thinks for himself and he is lucky to have grandparents who allow him the freedom to question the injustices that occur around them. Although he is accustomed to the racial slurs and epitaphs of his neighbors, Junebug never allows other people's prejudices to sway him and he is angered by the bigotry that is so deeply ingrained in Southern culture. Even with his grandmother's thoughtful explanation of why people are unable to let the past go, Junebug refuses to accept racism as the status quo and he will not give up his friendship with Fancy, Lightning and their parents.

Junebug's innocence is endearing but it is inevitable that his life and friendship will eventually be touched by the ugliness of his neighbors and the Klan. Through his friendship with Fancy, he experiences firsthand the harsh reality of segregation and Jim Crow laws. Junebug naively believes his relationship with Fancy will go unnoticed by those around him and while they do not flaunt their liaison, it is only a matter of time before someone uncovers the truth about them. Fancy is much more realistic about their future than Junebug and she makes a decision that irrevocably changes Junebug's life.

Written in first person from Junebug's point of view, The Last Road Home is a realistic depiction of life in the South and while some of the content is difficult to read, it is a heartwrenchingly honest representation of the time period. While it would be nice to believe these dark days are behind us, recent events indicate that racism, prejudice and hatred are alive and well and now extend well beyond Southern borders. This debut novel by Danny Johnson highlights a horrifying and shameful period in American history that should never be forgotten or repeated.

An absolutely outstanding piece of literary fiction that should be on EVERYONE'S reading list. ( )

Every once in a while I find a book that I really hate to put down and for it end. This is one of those books . The book takes you through the life of a young boy who has lost his parents and grows up with his grandparents in the south. Shows the love and hate of race relations in this country. An excellent story. ( )

I received a free advance e-copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This story is a reality check of what it may have been like coming of age in the 1960s for a young white boy and a young African-American girl in the South who are best friends. Junebug has lost his entire family and is left with a tobacco farm to run. He knows about race relations and interracial relationships, the violence that it can cause, and the KKK but Fancy is his best friend and as they come of age they begin to care for each other. There is tragedy, violence, a serious warning from the KKK, war in Vietnam, and murder. Junebug grows into a caring, kind, and generous young man who has trust issues and is troubled by what he has done. Fancy decides she doesn’t want to be a domestic the rest of her life and fearful of the KKK goes to France where she is accepted as an equal and skin color isn’t an issue. This is a well-written novel with a well-developed plot and good character development. It is full of twists and turns. I never knew what was going to happen next. The ending was a little unexpected but appropriate for the story and characters. I like the writer’s style and there are several memorable lines that I won’t soon forget. I really enjoyed this book and didn’t want it to end. This is a keeper and I look forward to reading more from Danny Johnson. ( )