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Carry Me Home: A Novel Audiobook
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(4.00) - 824 listener ratings
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The love of family. The heartbreak of war. The triumph of coming home. 1940. Rural Wisconsin. Sixteen-year-old Earl “Earwig” Gunderman is not like other boys his age. Fiercely protected by his older brother, Earwig sees his town and the world around him through the prism of his own unique understanding. He sees his mother’s sadness and his father’s growing solitude. He sees his brother, Jimmy, falling in love with the most beautiful girl in town. And while Earwig is unable to make change for customers at his family’s store, he is singularly well suited to understand what other people in his town cannot: that life as they know it is about to change; the coming war will touch them all. For Jimmy will enlist in the military. And Earwig will watch his parents’ marriage buckle under the strain of a family secret. And when Jimmy returns–a fractured shadow of his former self–it is Earwig’s turn to care for him. His struggles to right the wrongs visited upon his revered older brother by war, women, and life are at once heartwarming and riotously funny. Their family and town irrevocably altered, Earwig and Jimmy fight to find their own places in a world changed forever.
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"A beautifully told story about family relationships and what happens to people when War touches their lives. I loved that the protagonist was a learning disabled young man. His simple understanding of people and love bring joy to all who know him. "
— Karen (5 out of 5 stars)
Carry Me Home Listener Reviews
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" I liked The Book of Bright Ideas and enjoyed this one as well. Caution----it contains language. "
— Nancy, 2/17/2014 -
" Interesting and touching - and a little disturbing, especially the information about the war in the Pacific and what the soldiers endured. "
— Genie, 2/16/2014 -
" Excellent voice & description "
— Katherine, 2/11/2014 -
" This is probably my favorite book. "
— Lee, 2/6/2014 -
" This is a sweet story - told from the point of view of a boy who suffers from some brain damage - his innocent and candid view of and response to the world might dupe the reader into thinking that nothing really bad ever happens in this WW II era. The power of the family's solidarity is striking - given our world today. And - there are details of daily life at honme during WWII that you might find interesting. "
— Jayne, 2/5/2014 -
" Excellent book. I just loved the characters! "
— Karen, 1/29/2014 -
" Was hard to read with the Iraq war going on... "
— Judy, 1/25/2014 -
" This book is so touching it made me cry, and it made me laugh too. Earwig is such a memorable character, and Sandra Kring makes him completely believable. "
— Lisa, 1/20/2014 -
" Very emotional book with some of the characters going to war and not all coming back. Sandra Kring writes in the voice the character would have in real life and in the area of the country. "
— Mary, 12/16/2013 -
" You can read my thoughts here. (3.5/5) "
— Joy, 12/15/2013 -
" This story of a slow young man and his brother, a vet that spent time as a POW is touching although a bit slow. "
— Kim, 11/9/2012 -
" I loved this book. It is told from the perspective of a simple minded young man living during the forties who sees the effects of war on people he knows and loves. You want to laugh at times and cry at other times. It was a very enjoyable read. "
— Kathy, 9/6/2012 -
" I loved this book! Excellent characters and storyline. Good story about a town in Wisconsin during WWII and how it affected a family. Many times you will laugh out loud. "
— Kay, 6/30/2012 -
" I really just like Sandra Kring. "
— Heidi, 4/23/2012 -
" I loved the point of veiw from which the story was told. A great, hard to put down read! "
— Kallejay, 3/26/2012 -
" A moving tale of the unshakable bond between two brothers, set against a backdrop of family secrets, small-town life, and WWII. "
— Joni, 2/28/2012 -
" an entertaining book ... well written ... a little too predictable, perhaps, but good characters and a decent message. "
— suzi, 1/18/2012 -
" Feel good book. Delightful, sad, humorous. "
— HG, 12/20/2011 -
" This was fun to "read" on CD during a summer driving vacation. A good coming-of-age story about the lovable and insightful Earwig. He was so helpful to everyone in his own delicate way. I loved the full circle ending...one for the homey! "
— Katy, 10/25/2011 -
" A really nice, engaging story. Well developed characters and setting. "
— Amy, 10/3/2011 -
" An ok story about a mentally disabled teen and his family dealing with his brother going to war. "
— Jenn, 9/11/2011 -
" Not sure how to classify this one, but a good sweet-sad read "
— Bob, 5/11/2011 -
" This is one of the best books that I have read this year. I read a lot of WWII books and this one took place on the homefront. Wonderful characters and story. This book will stay with you long after you read it. "
— Anne, 5/9/2011 -
" I don't know if this is a good book or not. I was so turned off by the crude language I stopped reading it. Yes, people swear, but the constant cursing and vulgarities got in the way of any story developing. Kring is a good author, but I just couldn't get through this one. "
— Nicole, 3/21/2011 -
" Loved. A great first novel..wrapped me up and didn't let me go, or disappoint, the entire time. Great coming of age story. "
— Cheekey, 3/16/2011 -
" This book made my soul happy. I love me some Earwig. "
— Erin, 3/6/2011 -
" Heartwarming. Happy, sad, funny. Great characters. "
— Nicole, 3/2/2011 -
" This is a well written book, not a topic I would usually read but I'm glad I did. I really liked the main character, he's a bit slow but I never felt sorry for him. The story was warm and a simple message is held within the pages. "
— Andrea, 2/28/2011 -
" A lot of language, but I love this author. Great story! "
— Amber, 2/16/2011 -
" A WWII story with a few twists...told through the eyes of a brain damaged younger brother who stayed home while his older brother and friends went to the Pacific. "
— Mary, 11/14/2010 -
" This is just one of those books that feels good to read--enjoyable, moving, characters you fall in love with. Perfect for the beach or curled up on the couch with a cup of tea! "
— Cathe, 9/16/2010 -
" Great story and beautifully told. I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down. "
— Cathy, 9/4/2010
About Kirby Heyborne
Kirby Heyborne is a musician, actor, and professional narrator. Noted for his work in teen and juvenile audio, he has garnered over twenty Earphones Awards. His audiobook credits include Jesse Kellerman’s The Genius, Cory Doctorow’s Little Brother, and George R. R. Martin’s Selections from Dreamsongs.