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This was an interesting book. The story revolves around Chris Flynn. A boy who came from a good, middle class family, made choices - the wrong ones - and ends up in a prison for teenagers. His father, Thomas Flynn - a man who had worked to create his successful business without a college education also made choices - bad ones. Choices about how he spoke to and dealt with Chris; how he coped with the situation with his son personally and internally. After Chris is released from prison he works for his father laying carpets. He finds a bag stuffed with money. Another choice. And the novel hinges on this choice and the consequences which follow. Interestingly, Pelecanos also shows the consequences of making the right choices. The novel raises interesting questions about the father / son dynamic. There is an interesting line which says: It was true what some folks said: When your kid is a failure, your life has been a failure (pg 62) Thomas Flynn struggles with the fact that his son's failure is his failure; that regardless of what else he achieves in life, his son's failure means his life HAS been a failure - his desire to see his son do BETTER than him and yet in fact, his son seems to do worse. And Chris Flynn, who has tried to live up to his fathers expectation but realizes he can't and gives up trying. Where do you look to and in what do you base your criteria for success. Of course Pelecanos is not a christian but his underlying answer is not to base it in or find it in your children, or in your parents. We fail. We disappoint. And this is another area this book touches. There is also a strong statement on friendship. Chris' closest relationships are with some of those he did time with - his best friend is murdered, and even the one boy whom he hated in prison turns out to be his savior. Cryptic? I am not going to give spoilers for this book - it is a good read - well written, interesting topics which are deftly dealt with - even to the last paragraph which took the wind out of me as I came to the end of the book. Not all good endings remain good endings, and Pelecanos brings this out wonderfully in his final paragraph.

I picked this audiobook up out of curiosity because President Obama was reportedly reading it. This book was masterfully written -- very gritty and real. The characters were true to life. I read a lot of mysteries, but not necessarily crime novels. I have discovered a new author, and I intend to read more of Mr. Pelecanos's books. He writes about real life and real people, and shows us what the dark side can be like.

"The Way Home" captured my attention enough for my daily commute on the Metro, but was not in the same league as the author's previous work. This is the 3rd or fourth post-"Hard Revolution" book from Pelecanos. These books share different plots and characters and have gone without the familiar cast of largely African-American and Greek-American characters who provided continuity through his previous novels. "The Way Home" is a bit better than these other post-"Hard Revolution"books, but shares with them problems in terms of character development and somewhat abrupt, too easily concluded endings. Pelecanos does a bit better with his characters here, but their evolutions are largely predictable. Like much of his past work, there is a running theme of redemption and giving back, particularly to the young. Pelecanos' usual haunts in East of Rock Creek Park DC are included, along with well-off Chevy Chase (although it's the DC part, which is less well-off than the one in Maryland) and a gentrified area near Logan Circle. The characters also have a somewhat broader economic mix, with the story centered on a faux "homeboy", a white screw-up living in a privileged neighborhood. His evolution into a semi-responsible citizen is believable, whereas his parents seem more caricatured and his father's ultimate end seems a bit unnecessary and overly melodramatic. The other elements of the ending also seem clumsy. Pelecanos deserves props for experimenting with new characters and situations. Many mystery writers begin phoning in their plots, characters, and dialog after a few books. OTOH, Pelecanos needs to take more time developing his characters and resolving his plots. A few cameos from his stock company of earlier characters wouldn't be bad either, if the familiarity would help the writing.

This is the first time I read this author and have to say that I had a really hard time putting this book down. This is an amazing novel, a page turner from the first few pages to the last page. Mr. Pelecanos makes you feel like you know the characters, like you are right there beside them. I am looking forward reading more books by this talented author.

The Way Home by George Pelecanos Chris Flynn is a bad kid, always in trouble and disappointing his father. He steals, he does drugs, he skips school, any trouble he can get into. But then Chris gets caught and goes to juvenile detention. After Chris gets out, he tries to live a different life. He goes to work for his father, installing carpets with a friend from juvie, Ben. One day, Chris and Ben are replacing a carpet for a real estate agent that also flips houses. They find a bag hidden in the floor, it contains fifty thousand dollars. Ben wants to take it, but Chris says no. He's been working hard to get his life back on track and win the respect of his Dad. But Ben can't keep his mouth shut and the money disappears. That money belongs to someone and he wants it back. Chris is torn between who he has become and who he used to be. This was a really great read, well-written and moved quickly. Part suspense, part social commentary, and part father-son relationships. Pelecanos introduces us to Chris's world in juvenile detention and how he and his friends fare in the adult world. And how lucky Chris is to have a family waiting for him after he gets out of jail. Chris's father is disappointed in him, but refuses to give up and is always there for him. Chris is a well-rounded, likable character, and I couldn't help but root for him, hoping he will make the right choices. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. I think I will be checking out other work by this writer.