Home Stretch

A Novel

By: Graham Norton

Narrated by: Graham Norton

In this “compelling, bighearted, emotionally precise page-turner” (Sunday Times), the New York Times best-selling writer and acclaimed television host explores the aftermath of a tragedy on a small town to illuminate the shame and longing that can flow through generations - and how the secrets of the heart cannot stay be buried forever.

It is 1987, and a small Irish community is preparing for a wedding. The day before the ceremony, a group of young friends, including the bride and groom, are involved in an accident. Three survive. Three are killed.

The lives of the families are shattered and the rifts between them ripple throughout the small town. Connor survived, but living among the angry and the mourning is almost as hard as carrying the shame of having been the driver. He leaves the only place he knows for another life, taking his secrets with him. Travelling first to Liverpool, then London, he eventually makes a home - of sorts - for himself in New York, where he finds shelter and the possibility of forging a new life.

But the secrets - the unspoken longings and regrets that have come to haunt those left behind - will not be silenced. Before long, Connor will have to confront his past.

A powerful and timely novel of emigration and return, Home Stretch demonstrates Norton’s keen understanding of the power of stigma and secrecy - and their devastating effect on ordinary lives.

©2021 Graham Norton (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Fantastic Must Read

Many writers simply repeat boring story lines and experiencing their books is frustrating, but Graham knows how to weave a story to keep his audience on the edge of their seats until the final paragraph of the book. I don’t typically give 5 stars when rating books, but this book is worthy of 5’s for all categories.

Love listening to Graham Norton but….

The story was weak, I thought, but redeemed by the so beautifully Irish lilt of the narration.

Great narration, characters of all persuasions!

Graham Norton is a great narrator, infusing emotion and unique qualities into each character. I love the way the story intertwines between couples, families, and times. A story of acceptance, finding one's own way in the world, and finding love. A good lesson for all of us to remember that all is not as it seems and that people can change.

Awesome

I usually don't read a lot of fiction but I'm really glad I experienced this book. I came to really care about the characters and the story is very engaging. This story felt like it could have been real, and the people could have been real. That's what made it work for me.

Loved it!

What a story! My heart aches even for the most un-likable characters. I couldn’t put this book down. Mr. Norton does such a great job weaving the story between different time periods. There are story twists and turns that kept me very engaged. I really enjoyed it! His best yet!

A marvelous book!

A really interesting and unusual story that unfolds in such a creative way and keeps you hooked. Beautifully written and narrated by the author.
I just loved it.

Wonderful story

Graham Norton is a wonder story teller. This book had me from the first few sentences. Worth the read!

Compelling Narrative and Engaging Narration

The characters are complex and often surprising. I enjoyed seeing their perspectives change as they aged and learned. I also enjoyed the story with its unexpected twists. I hated putting it down. The human condition is at this novel’s forefront — always a good thing — but this novel also has charm and gentle humor. Win Win Win

Home Stretch

It was tough in the beginning & ended well so was well worth the story of charectars :)

Brilliant!

Graham Norton is a master of portraying life and people in small-town Ireland. The people are dimensional, flawed, and real. Their stories interlocked and poignant. And he can reveal a plot twist like no other. You will laugh and cry, rage and sigh. This is another excellently-told story from Norton!