The Distance Home

The Distance Home follows the divergent paths of siblings René and Leon in 1960s South Dakota. Their story plays out against the backdrop of a cattle ranching family dealing with ambition, tradition, and change. The narrative centers on how differently the two children are treated by their parents - their mother Eve champions Leon's passion for ballet and performance, while their father Al favors René's more conventional pursuits. This dynamic shapes the siblings' relationship and their individual development through childhood and adolescence. The book examines rural American life in a time of cultural transition, focusing on gender roles, artistic expression, and family bonds. Through one family's experience, it reveals broader truths about how childhood treatment and family dynamics can determine life trajectories.

Readers describe this as a slow-burning, character-focused family drama that captures 1960s Midwest life. Many note the detailed psychological portraits and examination of sibling dynamics. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of family dysfunction - Rich descriptions of South Dakota setting - Complex mother-child relationships - Handling of ballet and dance themes Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in middle sections - Some characters remain underdeveloped - Ending feels abrupt - Difficult to connect emotionally with characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 3.8/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (90+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Beautiful prose but moves too slowly" - Goodreads reviewer "Captures family tension perfectly but left me wanting more resolution" - Amazon reviewer "Strong start that loses momentum" - LibraryThing review

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🌟 The novel draws heavily from Paula Saunders' own childhood experiences growing up in rural South Dakota during the 1960s 📚 Saunders spent nearly 20 years writing and revising The Distance Home before its publication in 2018 🎭 The book's focus on ballet training reflects the author's real-life background as a former dancer who studied at the Joffrey Ballet School 🏆 Paula Saunders is married to acclaimed writer George Saunders, winner of the Man Booker Prize for Lincoln in the Bardo 🌾 The story's setting in South Dakota cattle country during the Vietnam era provides a unique glimpse into a rarely depicted slice of American life, where ranching culture intersected with artistic pursuits