Every once in a while, a writer comes up with a book which restores your faith in their writing. Danielle Steel is known for creating characters which everyday people cannot familiarize with, simple because of their background. Her wispy women with good looks and rich daddies don't come of the page as real, and one wonders if somewhere along the line, Danielle Steel doesn't live in the same world as the rest of us. Aimed at women, her books bring together stories of fortune and fame, though this book is different and offers a new perspective, and one that readers can associate with and feel for.

The Long Road Home recounts to readers the story of Gabriella, born to Manhattan rich parents whose lives will take a turn which was unpredictable, due to jealousy. Eloise, Gabriella's mother, finds motherhood seemingly threatens her relationship with her husband, and lays the blame firmly upon the child who, from a young age, suffers the ire of her mother. This isn't an ordinary story of jealousy, though one of extremes.

One of the likable elements of this story as compared with others by the same author is that she concentrates on a central character, and develops it to such an extent that readers care about that character. This makes the story much stronger than others she has written, and Gabriella becomes a real person, who tempts the reader to turn the pages, hoping that life will take a better turn for her. Gabriella is one of the invisible people that exist in society today, abused and frightened and believing that she must be extremely bad because of the punishment doled out by her mother.

The weak character of her father stops him from intervening and although he can recognize the cruelty of his wife, his fear of her gets in the way of intervention. Thus, Gabriella not only has her mother's anger to avoid, but believes it to be justified because her father doesn't do anything to stop that behavior.

When the marriage breaks up, the cruelty gets more intense, to the extent that Gabriella is hospitalized, though still sent back to the abusive mother, and afraid to admit what is going on because of the possible consequences. However, things change when Eloise falls in love and no longer focuses on her daughter. Believing that she will join her mother and her new husband in their new life, Gabriella is shocked to find the taxi stopping outside a convent. Here, her mother hands the child to the nuns, and walks away.

The rest of the story is one for readers to discover and to enjoy. The pages turn easily and the story unfolds which takes Gabriella through highs and lows, culminating with a finish which is worthy of reaching, and one which sates the appetite of the reader. Characters within the book are portrayed in a believable manner, and instead of Danielle Steel's normal style of introducing too many characters, she has molded those within this book sufficiently for readers to enjoy each and every one of them.

It's a worthwhile read, and certainly one which takes the elements of disappointment, self-esteem, trust and faith in self to their very deepest, leaving the reader with no doubt about the sincerity with which the story is told.

Learn more about this author, Rachelle de Bretagne.
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