Book Review: The Longest Way Home

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Longest Way Home     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Robert Silverberg
Class/Genre:   Science Fiction
Eos, Jul 2002, $25.95, 294 pp.

Fifteen years old Joseph Keilloran has lived a life of privilege with his destiny of one-day becoming the Master of House Keilloran. Currently Joseph is ten thousand miles from home visiting relatives at Getfen House when a massive civil uprising occurs against the local Masters. Bewildered by the uprising of the Folk, Joseph feels foolishly safe since he belongs to another House far distant from the revolution led by estate Foreman Jakirrod. Chambermaid Thustin persuades Joseph to flee if he wants to live because Jakirrod’s followers are killing all the Masters and anyone loyal to them.

Joseph treks through a wilderness that is as alien to him as anything he has encountered, but he knows that if Jakirrod’s troops find him he is dead. The youth struggles to find food and shelter in the wilds after spending his life always being pampered and served. He meets strange beings, traveling THE LONGEST WAY HOME in order to survive.

Though he offers nothing radically new, Robert Silverberg provides science fiction fans with an exciting coming of age adventure with a teen hero who must adapt 180 degrees if he is to survive his quest home. The story line is action-packed and provides just enough description and references to support the alien life forms that Joseph will encounter on his journey. This epic trek will please the myriad of Mr. Silverberg’s fans while sending new readers on a trek to find other novels by one of the genre’s Masters.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner