Review: Going Home by Danielle Steel (her very 1st book!)
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Going Home by Danielle Steel is the very first book she wrote.
I decided to reread it the other day and review it now, which is an interesting task after having read every single one of her books over the past 50 years.
Yes, 50 years. I realized after I read Going Home that it was actually published 50 years ago, in 1973.
I always think it’s interesting to see how an author’s writing evolves over time. I’ve become so accustomed to the way that Danielle Steel writes now, that I really had no idea what to expect from her first novel because I didn’t really remember it.
So, as always, my review post will let you know what I really thought of this book. Should you read, reread, or completely reconsider reading Going Home by Danielle Steel?
Contents
My Review Of Going Home by Danielle Steel
Before we get to what I really thought about this book, I have two quick interesting things I shared on this video.
FYI, if you’re also a bit mystified about the difference between these paperback book sizes here, you can check out the answer there.
Publisher’s Synopsis of Going Home by Danielle Steel
In the sun-swept beauty of San Francisco, Gillian Forrester is filled with the joy of a love that will surely last. But a painful betrayal forces her to flee to New York and begin a new life. There she discovers an exciting new career and a deep, enveloping passion…only to have her newfound happiness shaken to its core. Now Gillian must choose between her future and her past, and find in the deepest desires of her heart the one way, the only way of Going Home.
Going Home by Danielle Steel – What I Liked
For the first time ever since I’ve been reviewing books, I can’t think of anything to write under “What I Liked”. This is shocking to me because I love Danielle Steel.
I did like the ending though. And no spoilers here, so I can’t say more about that. But I do wish that the combination of characters at the end would have been with us through the entire book.
What I Disliked About Going Home by Danielle Steel
So, this might be the first time ever that I’ve got more to talk about under “What I Disliked” than “Liked” for a Danielle Steel book.
Which I guess just goes to show you that writer’s styles change over time, and maybe our own likes and dislikes do as well.
First off, Going Home was considerably more racey than Danielle Steel’s books normally are (at least the later ones). And being “racey” isn’t normally something I dislike! But this book included some raciness that was kind of raunchy I guess I’d say. I didn’t like that.
Next, I didn’t really like the characters that much. To me, they just weren’t that likable.
Finally, part of the reason that I didn’t like the characters right from the start of the book was that I felt they were using what we would today consider politically incorrect terms for others. That surprised me, although, realizing this book was written in 1973, maybe this was more common then? I’m not sure. This just set kind of a bad tone for me.
Going Home by Danielle Steel – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
Read if you’re a diehard Steel fan (like me) and think it would be interesting to see how her writing has evolved.
Reconsider if you’ve read a few recent Steel books, love her current style, and are not open to experiencing what will be a very different style of Danielle Steel writing to what you’re probably used to.
Going Home by Danielle Steel – Conclusion
Even though I had some misgivings about this first novel of Danielle Steel’s I’m still glad I reread it. In fact, my plan is actually to keep going and reread them all (in order of publication) just to see the overall picture of how her writing has changed over the years.
And, a funny fact – did you know that she writes her books using a typewriter she acquired at the very beginning of her career?
I personally can’t get enough of Danielle Steel’s books. Probably because I’m a hopeless romantic and her books usually include romance. So it’s fun to go back and experience them again for a second time.
Here’s that mass-market paperback edition again – it just seems small 🙂
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