Back Before Dark

by Sharon Arms Doucet

Looking forward to some time for herself and her painting now that her children are out of the house, Frannie Aldren Broussard is stunned when she receives news that her father has committed suicide and heads for Denver to arrange for the funeral, a trip that leads her on an important journey of revelation, healing, and discovery. Original. A first novel.

Genres: Fiction

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 2004

Reviews

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an interesting story about a woman on a mission to figure out why her father killed himself. She travels from Louisiana to Colorado to Tennessee, and there are some very interesting details about geology that are meshed into the plot. It's a good story about the journey to family and self-discovery. A little too flowery in descriptions sometimes, but overall I liked it a lot.

[Ashley Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

You would think a book about the suicide of a parent would be profoundly sad and upsetting but this wasn’t.

Frannie is ripe for a midlife crisis with both of her children recently having left the house and her realization that she lost track of her own ambitions. However her father’s tragic death sets her on a journey to understand not only why he took his own life, but also to reassess her own life, at a time when she was feeling lost.

The author, Doucet, beautifully captures settings in Louisiana, Tennessee and Colorado. She vividly paints Frannie’s dreams. And she tackles death, religions and the meaning of life.

Development of other characters felt slightly short or rushed given the laser focus of Frannie on her own journey. But then, that was the point!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was just short of amazing! It touches on so many topics: love, loyalty, hurt, faith, suicide and the affect on loved ones, Native American injustices, and big business and government cover ups...
And how can all this be handled in one book and still be a consistent great story....well It does. In fact some parts read like poetry. The author has a way with description that made me read some parts over just to breathe in the lovely words.

[Betty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I lost interest in this book and decided it was not worth my time.

[Kristin Garwick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Way too slow for me...kept asking myself what the point was. Maybe someone in a similar situation could relate...? Stopped reading after page 100.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first I really liked it and it had promise but it kind of fizzled out for me.

[Lori (on hiatus, life is crazy busy)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. After I was done reading the book, I sat for awhile pondering why I liked it so much. I came to the conclusion that it is because I feel at this time in my life I could relate to Frannie on so many levels. There were words in the book that I needed to read and I too, feel like I need to start a new chapter in my life. Frannie and her husband have just become empty nesters when Frannie's father commits suicide. Frannie sets out on a journey to learn more about her father who was depressed and didn't share his life with his children. She travels to Colorado in order to take him back to where he grew up in Tennessee to put him to his final rest. That is where she ultimately starts her quest. Through this long process, she learns so much about herself as well. Great story and family, love, hardships and self discovery!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting journey for a woman who needs to find out the reason for her father's suicide. I enjoyed this book.

[Ashlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was interesting in parts and then just bone dry boring in others. I'm mostly glad that I finished it and got it over with. I don't regret reading it, but I wouldn't read it again.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a unique voice that I really enjoyed. I wouldn't say that I learned anything from it, but that's not why I read fiction anyway! It is well worth reading!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that i read and really enjoyed...without knowing exactly why. It's good enough that i'll read it again some day.

[Paula Kitzmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm over half way through and realized I'm still waiting for it to start.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved that this book was set in a more modern time. The issues are very relatable to many different walks of life. I thought the book was great from start to finish.

[Courtney · Rating 1 out of 5]

To slow for me and not enough excitment. I finally just quit reading before I finished it.