The Way Home-George Pelecanos

The Way Home
George Pelecanos
Little, Brown, May 1 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780316156493

In DC, seventeen year old Chris Flynn knows he grew up in a comfortable home with loving parents nurturing him. Somehow along the way “Bad Chris” emerged as a rebel seeking trouble: “Good Chris” goes dormant. On drugs, he gets into a car accident and almost kills the other driver when they discuss the cause. He gives the cops a run for their money, but eventually is sent to Pine Ridge juvenile detention facility; his angry perturbed father seeks to blame someone else while his mother is devastated. At Pine Ridge, Chris makes friends with other troubled youth who teach him how to hide “Bad Chris” from civilians and when to allow “Bad Chris” to take control.

A decade later, Chris seems to have straightened himself out. One day he and his peer find money that he thinks they should ignore. Soon afterward two killers demand Chris hand over what he stole or else. He knows that to survive he needs to free “Bad Chris”.

THE WAY HOME is an exciting character study of a young male who struggles with inner demons while knowing he has let down his mom, fears he will let down his nice girlfriend, and is not sure whether he cares that he lets down his dad. Although a key element to the lead character’s behavior is his relationship with his father; that disturbed link is explored on a surface level without digging deep into either’s psyche re this issue. Ironically George Pelecanos does enable his audience to understand “Good and Bad Chris”, just not what either side of the protagonist thinks of his dad beyond the shallow musings. Still aptly titled, fans will enjoy Mr. Pelecanos’ profound look at a troubled person

Harriet Klausner