March Murray, along with her fifteen-year-old daughter, Gwen, returns to the small Massachusetts town where she grew up to attend the funeral of Judith Dale, the beloved housekeeper who raised her. After nearly twenty years of living in California, March is thrust into the world of her past. She finds that Mrs. Dale knew more of life than March could have ever suspected; that her brother Alan, whose tragic history has left him grief-stricken, has turned to alcohol as his only solace; and that Hollis, the boy she once loved, is the man she can't seem to stay away from. Here on Earth is the dramatic and lyrical account of the joys of love, as well as the destruction that love can release. Erotic, disturbing, and compelling, this is without a doubt Alice Hoffman's most unforgettable novel. "[Hoffman is] a dreamy and mesmerizing storyteller." - The New Yorker
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"This book was a little weird - The main character - March - is just too weak minded for me. There is just no way I would let a man - Hollis - dominate me like that - so it was not a good read for me. Although, I will say I do like the author's writing style and I may try another by her sometime."
— Cheryl (4 out of 5 stars)
" I enjoyed the writing, but it was kind of sad and dark. "
— Christie, 2/20/2014" I liked this book - it was sort of disturbing but it was a quick read. "
— Robin, 2/6/2014" I re-read Wuthering Heights and then read this book (a good combination). I liked the modern retelling of the story. A good book to read if you think that Wuthering Heights is a romance. "
— Carla, 1/30/2014" Not my favorite Alice Hoffman book. Pretty good, but for me, it doesn't contain the magic present in much of her other work. "
— Skipper, 1/26/2014" I really felt sorry for the daughter in the story. "
— Julie, 1/21/2014" "Wuthering Heights" doesn't hold much fascination for me, even in the hands of Alice Hoffman. "
— Kate, 1/18/2014" I think everyone has wondered at one time or another, "What if?" about the one that got away - or - the one you let go. This addresses that issue and asks the question "Can a love that is passion, breathtaking and all-consuming really last?" It was a good read and the writing style was flowed effortlessly. "
— Selina, 1/15/2014" I cannot take an author who refers to good sex as "dream fucking" very seriously. "
— Leah, 1/6/2014" I blogged about it several times after I read it, it had so many great passages. It was one of the best books that I have read about the relationship between a mother and her daughter. "
— ~fka, 1/1/2014" First gap book club book picked by Robin Quinn "
— Nancy, 12/19/2013" This is one of my favorite books, it's amazing and I've read it over and over again and I love it more each time. Alice Hoffman is an amazing writer. "
— Rachel, 12/7/2013" Great audio book with interesting characters. I love Hoffman's lyrical way of writing, her character development, and the overall effect she weaves in her stories. HERE ON EARTH is not a predictable story, and yet at times, it feels like it's going to be. "
— Sandra, 11/12/2013" Hollis, one of the main characters, will haunt you for weeks. "
— Jenny, 10/29/2013" I have loved everything by Alice Hoffman, except this book. The relationship is so bad, the decisions made are so wrong and stupid, it just left me with a stomache ache. "
— Katy-Del, 10/23/2013" Not my favorite Alice Hoffman book. Good though. "
— Karina, 7/13/2013" I love this author but this book kind of fell apart at the end. Not one of my favorites "
— Linda, 5/26/2013" Not as good as The Dovekeepers, but I will continue to grab her books at the library and see what else I think. "
— Kelly, 1/15/2013" I just love Hoffman. Her novels have a bit of fantasy and magic to them. "
— Mimi, 1/4/2013" This book completely surprised me... I guess because it was a hand-me-down, and I had no idea what to expect! It's about family and out-of-control love. At the end I was definitely hooked and had to know what was going to happen next! "
— Becca, 12/18/2012" When I finished this book I liked it better than in the middle. It is a modern-day Wuthering Heights, complete with younger generation a little saner than their parents. I am very glad for an understanding of love that does not include obsession. "
— Vilo, 11/28/2012" I can't give this book a better review because of how mad it made me, but I guess that was the point. Why anyone would even want Hollis is beyond me, I found him to have few if any redeeming qualites. On the flip side, it was a good story with a lot of depth. "
— Amy, 11/13/2012" Kind of a dark novel at times. Was ok. "
— Anne, 9/1/2012" This book examines love, sacrifice and the stories we tell ourselves when we do not want to let reality in. I found this book to be sad, but I could not put it down. "
— Kellymcct, 7/29/2012" Good enough to finish, but a bit predictable. "
— Stephanie, 6/22/2012" If someone is going to write a modern retelling of Wuthering Heights, I want it to be Hoffman. Well done. (Although I'm kind of sad to lose the narrative frames). "
— Kaethe, 3/18/2012" An exquisite, exquisite book. Heart breaking, frightening, in-your-face betrayal that is so human and understandable. If you've been cheated on or cheated, this book indicts and forgives you all at once. One of those works that explains you to yourself. "
— Alice, 3/4/2012" I found myself relating to Gwen, March's daughter in the story. Good read, I love Alice Hoffman's writing style. "
— Celeste, 7/22/2011" Didn't capture my interest. Had to abandon it. "
— Laurel, 6/29/2011" A dark and painful love story that pretty well portrays addiction to a person who is bad for you. As much pain as there is in this story I still felt it was a worth while story. "
— Janet, 6/24/2011" The main character March Murray made me angry every time I picked up this book to read - not sure why I finished it. Guess I kept hoping she'd do something smart! "
— Susan, 6/23/2011" I was introduced to the great Alice Hoffman through this book in High School. I've always loved Wuthering Heights and think those who think it's too dark need to expand their horizons! This takes that classic love story and brings it into the now. "
— Mockingbird, 6/11/2011" Depressing book....I guess you could say its a good read because it made me depressed just reading it. Not my cup of tea but for those of you who like good and bad, and when the bad wins. This is your book. <br/> <br/>I guess I just like happy fu fu books. "
— Tami, 4/28/2011" Once again, Alice Hoffman has entertained me. "
— Marlene, 4/27/2011" Ending made my rating go from 3 to 4. For me, it was a love/hate book. I really disliked some of the characters but couldn't stop reading the book. "
— Linda, 4/27/2011" This book was so good. If you are at all a Wuthering Heights fan, then you should read this book. I did not know that this was a modern version of that story because it is not advertised as such, but it was a fresh version of it for sure. I love Alice Hoffman's books! "
— Heather, 4/22/2011Alice Hoffman is the author of more than thirty works of fiction, including the Practical Magic series and the Oprah’s Book Club selection Here on Earth, among others. Eight of her novels have made the New York Times bestsellers list.
Susan Ericksen is an actor and voice-over artist. She has been awarded numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. As an actor and director, she has worked in theaters throughout the country.