The Last Mile Home

by Di Morrissey

From one of Australia's finest storytellers comes a classic love story. . . It is 1953 in a small Australian country town, a time of postwar prosperity and hope. The Holtens are wealthy, yet austere graziers who have lived on the land for generations. The McBrides are a large and loving shearer's family who are new arrivals to the district. When the McBrides' eldest daughter falls in love with the Holtens' only son and heir, it seems impossible that they can have a future together. As conflict and tragedy confront them, it is only with great determination that their love can survive.The Last Mile Home is an unforgettable story of the power of enduring love.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Australia, Chick Lit, Historical Fiction

252 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Di Morrissey (born 18 March 1943 in Wingham, New South Wales) is one of Australia's most popular female novelists. She grew up in the remote surrounds of Pittwater, north of Sydney, Australia.

Growing up she counted famous Australian actor Chips Rafferty as a close mentor and friend who helped provide for her and her mother after the death of her father as a child, sending them overseas to California to live with family.

In her later years, Di went on to become a journalist on London's Fleet Street, and worked for CBS in Honolulu, where she lived with her husband who was in the foreign service, and even had a small role in the series Hawaii Five-0, a guest role in season three, episode seven, 1970 starring as 'Alicia Anderson'.

After moving back to Australia, Di published her first book 'Heart of the Dreaming' which instantly became a bestseller. Since then Di has published another 17 bestsellers, her latest being 'The Silent Country'.

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I borrowed the audio version of this book from the library thinking that it was written by one of our local authors. The cover has a rural looking background of trees and water with the author's name, title THE LAST MILE HOME, Read by Bruce Kerr. A caption says "An unforgettable story of the power of enduring love".
Imagine my surprise when I read the back of the cd case! "From one of Australia's finest storytellers comes a classic love story that will remain in your heart forever..." I wasn't expecting a love story and initially wondered when Canadian author Donna Morrissey moved to Australia. YOU CAN LAUGH NOW!
Then I realized that author of this book was Di Morrissey and not Donna Morrissey. My apologies to both authors.
Since this was the only audiobook I had, I listened to it. Bruce Kerr was great as a narrator and reader. This is my first time reading a book written by Di Morrissey, and I agree that she is a fine storyteller.

"It is 1953 in a small country town in Australia, a time of postwar prosperity and hope.
The Holtens are wealthy, austere graziers who have lived on the land for generations. The McBrides, a large and loving shearer's family, are new to the district.
When the McBrides' eldest daughter falls in love with the Holtens' only son and heir, the barriers to their love seem overwhelming.
But in the end, their love triumphs even over tragedy… and hope and joy are their enduring legacy."
- Quote from back of cd case

The characters were like real people. While I adored Abby McBride and all her family, and think that it would be a wonderful family to be part of, I felt sad for only child Barney Holden with his broken mother and his stern father Phyllip.
Di Morrissey's writing style was just what I needed. Her use of humour and descriptive writing drew me into the story. I could easily picture the McBride family all dressed up for the community picnic and having to abandon old Bessie, their car, when it stalled in the middle of a huge deep puddle of water.
The author surprised me several times with some twists and turns in the book. She had me laughing and crying.
I enjoyed listening to this story about two families living very different lifestyles and learning a little more about Australia.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘The last mile home, it often seems the longest, doesn’t it?’

This novel is set in the New England district of Australia, in 1953 and 1958. The story opens in 1958, with Richie Holten getting into trouble with his grandfather Phillip for touching books in a room he is forbidden to enter. There’s a story here surely: what is it? And where are Richie’s parents?

‘Interesting how the past influences the present.’

The next chapter returns us to 1953, where postwar Australia is optimistic and relatively prosperous. In New England, the Holtens are a family of wealthy graziers who’ve been on their land for generations. Conservative and Presbyterian – the Holtens have their own sense of place and social station. The McBrides are newcomers to the area: a large Catholic family, frequently moving to wherever Bob can find work as a shearer or handyman. The McBrides are nowhere near equal to the Holtens. So, when the eldest McBride daughter Abby falls in love with the Holten son and heir Barney, there are plenty of barriers to overcome if true love is to triumph.

‘Thinking is one thing, finding answers is another thing altogether.’

I read most of this novel while travelling by car on New Year’s Day. While elements of the story were predictable, and the timing of visits by the inestimable Mr Richards was just too good to be true, I enjoyed the story. Some parts made me sad, some aspects made me happy and certain elements of coincidence (or timing) caused me to remember that while in fiction, anything is possible, it doesn’t have to be probable.

An enjoyable escapist read.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story. So loving and heartfelt. All about the love of family and the respect of the decisions people make. Fast paced and never a boring moment. Visually rich.

[Ns · Rating 4 out of 5]

After this story, I am going to find my own special star.

The love story is so tender, touching and heartbreaking. There is a solemn beginning with a bittersweet ending. Despite facing so many obstacles, Abby and Barney's love is an inspiring one. I fell in love with Abby's huge, loving family whose love is unconditional, expressive and supportive. The beliefs and values that stems from this have definitely shaped her. Barney comes from an opposite family, one who is remote and adverse to showing affection, and yet he is full of life, is endearing and so earnest. Abby and Barney fought for love and their love evokes hope and happiness in others. It's a story about love, family and hope. It makes me appreciate and cherish every moment with my family.

[Sue Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad 😥story, but beautiful ending

[Maria Calokerinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading The Last Mile Home. It’s a love story set in Australia’s New England district between 1953 and 1958—a time of post-war prosperity and hope.

The story follows two very different families: the Holtens, wealthy and austere graziers who have lived on the land for generations, and the McBrides, a large and loving shearer’s family newly arrived in the district. When the McBrides’ eldest daughter falls in love with the Holtens’ only son and heir, it seems their love is doomed from the start.

The novel explores the obstacles they face, the deep-rooted prejudices of the time, and the tragedies both families endured. But through it all, love endures. Despite heartbreak and hardship, the story reminds us that life goes on—and that love has the power to overcome.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too romantic for my usual preferred reading. Although I had an idea it might be from the jacket blurb and author reputation. Some of the characters were a bit too ‘unflawed’ but it is nice to think people like this might exist.
The fact that I shed more tears at the happy resolution ending than the tragic accident must mean I did in fact get immersed in the story.

[Rebecca Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Australian based books, reading about the landscapes and farming. Really easy to picture the story as you go, a book I didn’t want to put down, full of love, hardships but in the end …. Great read.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captures the difference of family love between property owner - money people and a working family of husband wife and children. The love of a couple for each other coming one from each other family. Sad story.

[Chamomile · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read about farming family traditions, romance and love. Enjoyable

[Jen Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book for the beach - quick, easy, no thought required. Although I wasn’t emotionally involved with the characters I still shed a tear despite myself.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the light read

[Robbyn Chalk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had tears running down my cheeks through the last few chapters

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely little story.

[Nivedita Adhikari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never read such a beautiful book. It will take time for me to get over this book.

[Fatema Johera Ahmed · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first Aussie romance set in the outback. The writing is a bit predictable.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely book of family and love and consequences. I really enjoyed it and was uplifted by it.

[Paul McBride · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly an early book in the authors long career, the story was quite predictable, but the writing was great and it was a rather short story, for this author.

[Susan Abbey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read Australian based historical story - where love is tested and wins - a tragedy where a child is trapped - until love overcomes - status boundaries.

[Sel Rou · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great easy story line set in old Australia

[Joanne Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A n easy simple listening to story with not much substance

[Lorraine Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

[Sue Emerton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Di Morrissey. Her descriptions are fabulous.
Just a warning, have a tissue or two on hand. I needed them.

[Lee at ReadWriteWish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up for free and I'm thankful. Di Morrissey is crazy popular, and she writes well, but the plot was... so tired and boring. I didn't finish it, but I suppose if I was in a better mood I could have. However, I know I can finish it in my head anyway. The 3/4 I read stuck to a very strict 'best seller' formula, so I'm guessing nothing much changed. Every character is so predictable. I can even picture which Australian actor should play them. *yawn* I might have been willing to keep ploughing through it if I had enjoyed the hero of the piece a little more too. Barney is... Well, he doesn't make me swoon, that's for sure. He's rather nondescript actually. Morrissey writes the heroine, Abby, with a little more feeling, but she's also quite a Mary-Sue. I give it two stars for the way Morrissey at least keeps the Australian parts true blue. Set in 1953, there's no hint of any Americanisms coming into the language of the book at all. This makes me happy, but it would probably mean the market for the book would be narrowed to Australians or people from overseas willing to google some of the sayings the characters toss around.

[Lorraine Cobcroft · Rating 2 out of 5]

My mother suggested I read this and remarked that she didn't really like Di Morrissey much but loved this story. Said it made her cry.

I agree it's a real tear-jerker, and it contains some lovely description and good philosophy, but I found the plot far too contrived and unbelievable. Abby's family were just too good to be true, and the repeated appearances of Mr Richards were as uncredible as his character. Barney's mother turning when Abby went to church and exposing that she'd been a Catholic in a past life just added to a string of seemingly contrived plot elements. Abby and Barney dying days after their wedding while baby Richie was save was all too convenient, and the ending - though certainly it might draw a tear - was totally predictable.

Maybe studying writing is making me too critical, but I didn't particularly enjoy this and I found myself constantly wanting to tell the author which rules she was breaking inappropriately and what she might have done better.

None-the-less, a quick read and probably one from which the incurable romantics among us will derive some pleasure.

[Leanne Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got into this book, it was a beautiful and touching read. Although I almost gave up reading some distance in, I'm glad I didn't. The uninspiring opening chapter made little sense until I neared the end, and the other early chapters only hooked my attention when the romance truly got going. After that, though, I looked forward to picking up the book each time I had a chance to read.
What appealed to me most about the novel were its characters. The author has a lovely way of portraying ordinary people as heroic and special in their own right. The family, with its odd little foibles and deep concerns, were a pleasure to get to know. Likewise, the romance itself was tenderly handled, so that the reader really wanted things to work out for the couple. I appreciated that the book was more than a straightforward love story and delved into the issues of personal choice and consequences. In the end, I felt richer for having gone through the journey with the characters and felt their pain.

[Zed · Rating 4 out of 5]

29/11/2020

This is my first re-read of a Di Morrissey book. I remember enjoying the story and the powerful, emotional ending which has stayed with me. Reading it for a second time, it was just as good. I'd forgotten the character of Mr Richards however, and he seemed almost like a guardian angel of some sort. Almost too good to be true, and his appearances in the story a little too convenient. That aside, it was a moving story about family, and the love between Barney and Abby.

[Chiro Pipashito T H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very simple story- boy meets girl, fall in love...but it is not always what the story is but how the story is told that makes a book worth reading. And for this reason, this book is certainly very rewarding.

Thanks for the glimpse into Australian traditional society in the 1950s. And I agree with the author, "The last mile home is always the longest".

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book on my ipod while traveling on the Harley this week. Good story - I enjoyed it.

[Jen Roe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this book much