Review of Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

There are novels that stick with you for a long time after reading them. This is one of those novels. Dorrie and Isabelle are the epitome of an odd couple. Isabelle is an almost ninety-year old white woman, and Dorrie is a thirty-something year old black woman. They form a strong friendship over the course of ten years through the ritual of Dorrie doing Isabelle's hair. Most people know that conversations between hairdressers and their clients often get personal, but these two took that a step farther and actually become good friends. Dorrie invites Isabelle into her life while Isabelle openly accepts that invitation. The only problem is that Isabelle isn't as forth-coming with her past. That all changes with the road trip from Texas to Cincy (Cincinnati). Julie Kibler has written a quinessential woman's fiction that is riddled with themes such as love, race issues, friendship, forgiveness, and acceptance. At first glance,the story centers around a romance Isabelle has shared with a man of color during the 1940s which is no surprise as being taboo as well as dangerous. Dorrie is a single mother of two who is dating a new man but is afraid to let him into her life completely although he seems to be a good man. The author fuses the two women's stories into one cohesive story of faith, hope, and love.

This book isn't about romance (entirely) but really a journey for two women that could mirror many who are the core audience for this type of novel. There are race issues that are touched upon in this book and reminds many people that the since 1940s much has changed, but entirely not enough. It's very inspiring to see that two very different people can find common ground in a world that's often times forced them to live separately. I found the friendship between Dorrie and Isabelle to be believeable and not forced for the sake of a good story. They complement each other. In conclusion, there are moments in this book that will leave the reader angry, hopeful, laughing, or crying. It was an emotional rollarcoaster, for me at least. I imagine readers of women's fiction would find this fast-paced novel is worthy of their time. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Calling Me Home...

So far I am 40% in. I like this book a lot. So far I find Julie Kibler to be a pretty good writer. Initially, the synopsis of this book makes it seem like this may be geared towards the romance genre but I would categorize it more along the lines of women's literature. I am a fan of intelligent chick-lit. When I say intelligent chick-lit I mean books that actually make you think. Books where the main protagonist isn't a complete flake are on my preferred list. I have read my share of the love-struck, ditzy, flimsy female-lead and I enjoy her... to an extent. So far, Kibler has made brought together two very different women, from completely different walks of life and has made it work. I mention this because their friendship does not seemed forced nor their actions stilted. I can't wait to see where their journey from Texas to Cincinnati takes their relationship.

Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler

I have begun reading Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler. I am looking forward to venturing out from my normal thrillers and mysteries. This is Kibler's debut novel and I have high hopes for her. Actually I have high hopes for all up and coming writers.

Synopsis: Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler is a soaring debut interweaving the story of a heartbreaking, forbidden love in 1930s Kentucky with an unlikely modern-day friendship Eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle McAllister has a favor to ask her hairdresser Dorrie Curtis. It's a big one. Isabelle wants Dorrie, a black single mom in her thirties, to drop everything to drive her from her home in Arlington, Texas, to a funeral in Cincinnati. With no clear explanation why. Tomorrow. Dorrie, fleeing problems of her own and curious whether she can unlock the secrets of Isabelle's guarded past, scarcely hesitates before agreeing, not knowing it will be a journey that changes both their lives. Over the years, Dorrie and Isabelle have developed more than just a business relationship. They are friends. But Dorrie, fretting over the new man in her life and her teenage son’s irresponsible choices, still wonders why Isabelle chose her. Isabelle confesses that, as a willful teen in 1930s Kentucky, she fell deeply in love with Robert Prewitt, a would-be doctor and the black son of her family's housekeeper—in a town where blacks weren’t allowed after dark. The tale of their forbidden relationship and its tragic consequences makes it clear Dorrie and Isabelle are headed for a gathering of the utmost importance and that the history of Isabelle's first and greatest love just might help Dorrie find her own way.(less