Home Stretch
Home Stretch ~ Graham Norton
Another book about growing up gay in Ireland. This one begins with a group of 6 young adults involved in a horrible car accident on the eve of a wedding in 1987. The bride, groom, and bridesmaid are all killed. The survivors are the sister of the bride, the driver, and one other young man.
One of the survivors is Conner, who leaves the village rather than live with the constant shame of being the driver who caused the death of three young people. He ends up living in London for a while, then in New York, where he forges a new life for himself. He does not tell his family where he has gone, as he is gay and feels that they would not accept him. In all the years he is gone, he sends them one post card to let them know he is OK.
Another survivor is Martin, the doctor’s son, who marries Conner’s sister, Ellen. Ellen felt the shame of the accident keenly, and feared her family might be ostracized forever, even though Conner has left. Her marriage to Martin brings some peace to the family, though it is a miserable marriage and full of secrets.
Our last survivor is Linda, the sister of the bride, who was paralyzed in the accident, and never leaves her house. She does not play heavily in the book, though her small role is pivotal to the ending.
The story mainly goes back and forth between Conner and Ellen, mostly coming forward in time, but occasionally back to give glimpses of events that propell the plot. They slowly come to terms with their lives and relationships, with the accident and the aftermath, and with whether forgiveness and redemption are possible. There were a couple of plot points that I saw coming, but Norton seems to really care about his characters, and I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Recommended.
Note that I have seen Graham Norton on TV, on YouTube clips of him interviewing people on his very funny The Graham Norton Show. I don’t watch enough to have known he is also an author. I’m glad I found out, thanks to whichever of you mentioned this book on your blog or in comments.
Note 2 – Did you see that the blurb at the top of the book cover is Tuesday’s author, John Boyne?
14 Comments
Jenny
Yes, you are in a “growing up gay in Ireland” phase here. I’ve heard of this book, and it sounds really good. I put it on my TBR!
J
I think you will enjoy it!
Karenmeg
I had no idea that Graham Norton is an author, and the story sounds so opposite of his on screen personality, he’s usually laughing up a storm! I love books by Irish authors, will check this out.
J
OMG KarenMeg, you need to watch some of his show on YouTube, he’s delightful. He interviews a lot of musicians, I think you’d love that.
Lisa's Yarns
I think you heard about this from me! It was one of my top reads in 2024. When I wrote about it, I said I’d recommend it for fans of John Boyne – I did not realize he had blurbed the book! Then Nicole read it and also loved it. I heard about the book on Sarah’s Bookshelves Live. She’s a great rec source for me as our taste and those of her co-hosts overlap quite a bit.
I had never heard of Graham Norton, though, so I had no idea he was a TV personality! I want to read more of his backlist.
J
Thank you Lisa, for the recommendation! Everyone in our little blog clique seems to listen to Sarah’s Bookshelves, I haven’t given that a try yet.
PocoBrat
Thanks for clearing that up–I *wondered* if it was the same Graham Norton.
I used to see him all the time on British telly being cheeky and well-intentioned and I’d gladly read a book by him.
Thanks, J!
J
He IS cheeky! I love when we happen upon his show on YouTube. Need to watch a bit more…would be a nice calm way to end the evening, right?
Nicole MacPherson
This book was great and just reinforced that for me, the only enjoyable book by a man is a book by a gay man. It’s a running joke in our family. If someone notices a male author’s name on a book I’m reading, I am immediately asked “Is he gay? Or British? Or gay and British?” Ha! I know many people love many male authors but wow, I am not one of them.
J
LOL, and yay, this author both gay AND Irish!
Allison McCaskill
Oh, I LOVE Graham Norton, what a welcome discovery that he is an author!
I remember once reading a letter to the editor lamenting how free people feel these days to wear casual clothing and talk about their drug habits or whatever, and being sort of amused and enraged that this person was advocating for a return to shame and secrecy, which has damaged so many lives nearly beyond repair.
J
I was thrilled to discover his books too! Well, book, I’ve only read this one. And AMEN SISTER on not returning to the days of shame and secrecy!
Margaret
I’ve never heard of him but I do enjoy books that explore the aftermath of various tragedies. (especially the ones with happy-ish endings)
J
You might enjoy this one, Margaret!