The Long Highway Home

The Swan House #2.5

by Elizabeth Musser

The story of refugees seeking asylum in Austria, as told from the point of view of an Iranian family and the missionaries who help them. (Note: official release date for this novel is March 7, 2017

Sometimes going home means leaving everything you have ever known.

When the doctor pronounces ‘incurable cancer’ and gives Bobbie Blake one year to live, she agrees to accompany her niece, Tracie, on a trip back to Austria, back to The Oasis, a ministry center for refugees that Bobbie helped start twenty years earlier. Back to where there are so many memories of love and loss…

Bobbie and Tracie are moved by the plight of the refugees and in particular, the story of the Iranian Hamid, whose young daughter was caught with a New Testament in her possession in Iran, causing Hamid to flee along The Refugee Highway and putting the whole family in danger. Can a network of helpers bring the family to safety in time? And at what cost?

Filled with action, danger, heartache and romance, The Long Highway Home is a hymn to freedom in life’s darkest moments.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Inspirational, Christian, Book Club, Contemporary

408 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

ELIZABETH MUSSER writes ‘entertainment with a soul’ from her writing chalet—tool shed—outside Lyon, France. Elizabeth’s award winning, best-selling novel, The Swan House, was named one of Amazon’s Top Christian Books of the Year, one of Georgia’s Top Ten Novels of the Past 100 Years and was awarded the Gold Illumination Book Award 2021 for Enduring Light Fiction. All of Elizabeth’s novels have been translated into multiple languages and have been international bestsellers. Two Destinies, the final novel in The Secrets of the Cross trilogy, was a finalist for the 2013 Christy Award. The Long Highway Home was a finalist for the 2018 Carol Award. The Promised Land won second place in Literary Fiction at the 2021 Georgia Author of the Year Awards and won the 2021 Carol Award for Contemporary Fiction. Elizabeth’s most recent novel, By Way of the Moonlight, is a Publisher’s Weekly Top Ten Pick in Religion and Spirituality for Fall Releases in 2022 and Parable and ECPA bestseller and was a finalist for the 2023 Christy Award.

For over thirty-five years, Elizabeth and her husband, Paul, have been involved in missions’ work in Europe with One Collective, formerly International Teams. The Mussers have two sons, two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren.

Find more about Elizabeth’s novels on her website and on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, and Pinterest.

Sign up for her email list https://6231db35.sibforms.com/serve/M....

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Long Highway Home is set in 2005, at the height of the riots in France, but its theme is oh-so-timely today. The story follows several main characters – Bobbie, Tracie, Stephen, Hamid, Amir, and Rasa – as well as the secondary characters these six encounter on their respective journeys. The text shifts from first person to third person, depending on which character’s perspective we are reading, but the transitions are clearly indicated and easy to follow.

The Long Highway Home is, at its heart, a bringing together of the plot lines of a refugee’s story. It’s not a political statement. It’s not a religious statement. It’s a beautiful picture of how Isa [Jesus] redeems and rescues, with plot lines simultaneously playing out in Turkey, in the Netherlands, in Iran, in Atlanta, and in Austria. It’s an inspiring portrait of the selfless individuals who work behind the scenes in many cases to help refugees find hope as well as freedom. And it’s a heart-clenching reminder that, while following Jesus is very costly to so much of the world’s population, He is very worth it. “Not everyone had made it safely out of Iran. But everyone has made it safely home.”

Bottom Line: The Long Highway Home is a feast for the senses, the emotions, and the soul. It will break your heart and soothe it again, but it will not leave you the same person you were when you began reading. The characters become real, become friends, and you aren’t quite ready yet to leave them at the end. Be warned – there is “ugly cry” on the horizon if you’re prone to such things. And no matter where you stand on the refugee debate, this story and its people are for you.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. My husband and I worked at the Oasis from 95-97. It was a joy to read about the work we helped with and some people we knew. Thank you Elizabeth Musser for this beautiful story.

[Emma Grace Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a beautiful book. Challenged my faith in a myriad of ways and reminded me how beautiful our Savior is. This should be your next read!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved all the refugee stories and moments in the book. It was a slow start, but I couldn’t put it down at the end. The power of prayer is evident in the storyline, but also the realities of how not everything will go as planned. Actual rating: 4.5**

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of Elizabeth Musser I knew I would love this book and I did. It's a heartbreaking yet uplifting story of love, faith, courage and filled with wonderful words of wisdom. We have no idea what Christians and other refugees fleeing have to go through. This book makes me realize again how blessed we are to have the freedoms we do. Highly recommend!

[Millie Picker · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book, I could hardly put it down. I’m heading to Greece to work at a mission organization that works with refugees mainly from Syria and the ME. What an insightful book to read. It’s a novel based on true stories of what people will endure to be free from oppression.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has penned a riveting, beautiful inspiring story of courage, healing, and faith. She showed how God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. It made me look at the world with fresh eyes and see things I hadn’t noticed before. It made me realize how quickly things can change. I wondered how I would act given the same scenario. Would I be as strong as the refugees facing this life-threatening event? I had read the author notes where she tells readers this novel was based real life stories. It made what Hamid faced heartbreaking and surreal. The author is currently a missionary in France and talks passionately about the courageous people she’s met and how their faith has gotten them through unimaginable situations.

There are two heart-felt stories running hand and hand throughout this book. One is of two women; Bobbie and her niece Tracie. They set out on a urgent pilgrimage after Bobbie is diagnosed with cancer. They’ve talked about going on this trip for years. They plan on making this dreams come true. Bobbie is excited to finally take Tracie to The Oasis. There they learn about a refugee named Hamid. He is running for his life along The Refugee Highway. His family is hiding trying not to be captured. There are flashbacks of Bobbie’s life as she remembers her time at The Oasis. She shares with Tracie some heart-wrenching stories that changed the path of Bobbie’s life.

Here is a peek at the refugee, “Hamid listened to a radio program, broadcast from The Netherlands but in his tongue. The voice in the box spoke of the Bible, of Christ – Isa al Masi – of hope, of a Savior. Hamid’s heart swelled to hear the words, foreign words, dangerous words! Why was he drawn to them so? These were the words that had forced him to flee in the first place.”

Hamid was trying to become a refugee in another country. The definition of a refugee – a person who has been forced to leave their country in-order-to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationally, political opinion or membership in a particular social group.”

Hamid and his daughter have accepted Christ as their savior. Hamid’s wife is not so sure about all this. Why bother when it’s so dangerous? There are suspenseful nail-biting moments for Hamid and his family as they try to get to safety.

Bobbie shares a story with Tracie,” Fred was part of The Barracks team…He trained with us in the US and planned on smuggling, like the rest of us, but when the rubber hit the road, he just couldn’t do it. He found he couldn’t lie, couldn’t keep a straight face and swear that he wasn’t carrying anything illegal into the East. So here he was – stuck in Vienna for a two-year term of service, with a huge amount of guild because his religious convictions wouldn’t let him smuggle Bibles.” …

….” Fred started visiting the refugee camp in our village, and before long he was teaching the women and children to read and write in English…pretty soon many who came from Communist countries were learning about Jesus and wanting to be Christians.”

Several times my throat tightened and tears ran down my cheeks as this author described unimaginable grace in the midst of brutal and inconceivable conditions. It was stunning and humbling to see how hope shone through the dark places. I was encouraged at how hope and healing sprang up despite tremendous pain and suffering they encountered. The reader could clearly see the source of hope and healing, was Christ Jesus! The situation reminded me of a book I read years ago, called God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrews.

This novel grabbed me from the start and never let me go. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to read this powerful faith building; life changing book. It’s an inspiring story of courage, faith, survival, and hope. I couldn’t stop thinking about this story and its characters when I closed the book. I honestly think it's this author’s finest work! This would make a great book club selection.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher and The Book Club Network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
COO of TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine
SVP of Promotions

[Margaret Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book for two reasons - I love Elizabeth Musser's books, and my college roommate and her husband volunteer several months each year at the Oasis! The book did NOT disappoint. It is very well written and keeps up the reader's interest through the entire book! I didn't want the book to end, and in a sense, it doesn't, because I get updates from my roommate every time they go volunteer! Anyone concerned about refugees should read this book.

[Margaret Kazmierczak · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Penny’s Worth

So what’s the fuss about The Long Highway Home?
Elizabeth Musser has carefully constructed a fiction book about a reluctant refugee called Hamid. His innocent daughter whom Truth emboldens plunges the family into chaos and fear. However, you don’t just get his story, but the characters of his family and those helping him escape from a closed country. Each narrative fills out the broader saga, so the reader gets into the head of those involved in the telling.

There are many words of wisdom
Bobby who starts the story has a battle of her own to fight. But, she comes out with some wise one-liners.

“Each day is a twenty-four-hour adventure.”

“Do you think it’s fair to accept only the good and not the bad in life?”

Rasa the instant believer whose childlike faith warms the reader with wisdom beyond her years. Only a child could see beyond the fear and put trust in a God she had only just met.

Hamid who loves his ancient proverbs.

“If one has to jump a stream and knows how wide it is, he will not jump. If he does not know how wide it is, he will jump, and six times out of ten he will make it.”

A theme to encourage
Throughout the story the theme of pushing onward no matter what came bursting through.

“Thank the Lord that He respects our feelings, and yet He sees fit to push us forward in spite of them.”

Many of the characters questioned whether to go on or not. Their trials appearing insurmountable at times.

However, “Eyes of faith see potential. They look behind and know that the past was just a stepping-stone for the future.”

What I liked about the book
Even though there are many characters each plays a role in the developing jigsaw. As the story goes from one piece to another, you want to find the next piece that links the same story. It made you turn the pages. To care about different people. Reading about a refugee on the run is bound to pull you into the early hours of the morning, as you just want to finish the next chapter.

What I didn’t like
The smell of chickens – Check out the book to find out why!

You know what is going to happen
But, it doesn’t matter because it is how the story is told that is important and the lessons we learn by taking a chance and trusting in God. Because let’s face it:

“I don’t think God gets surprised very often.”

Would I recommend this book?
The book is about making good out of evil. “What men mean for evil, God can change into good.” This is a book of hope in so many ways. Lives may seem ruined but the truth remains: “So much of the time, the story God is writing goes on behind the earthly scene, somewhere in the heavenlies. But every now and then the Lord pulls back a curtain-slice of the sky and we get to see the bringing together of all the plot lines in real time.”

I would recommend The Long Highway Home for its revelations about the refugees and their struggle for freedom. For the amazing work, people do to help, often at their own risk, and to bring awareness of the plight of refugees.

“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.”

*I received this book for free. No compensation was received, and all opinions are my own. I was not requested to give either a favourable or unfavourable review.*

[Iola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Highway Home is the story of Bobbie, an ex-missionary who has been diagnosed with inoperable cancer at the age of 39. It’s the story of Tracie, Bobbie’s niece, who accompanies her to Europe, to visit the missionaries she used to serve with before tragedy sent her back to the US. It’s the story of Hamid, a devout Muslim who is forced to flee Iran after a well-meaning missionary gives his six-year-old daughter a New Testament. But my favourite character is Rasa, the child with a faith that puts mine to shame.

The structure of The Long Highway Home is more like a thriller novel than the women’s fiction and romance I’m more used to reading. There are a lot of viewpoint characters spanning the US, Holland, France, Austria, and Iran. Unlike most thrillers, it’s always obvious who the characters are and how they are related, which kept me turning pages to find out how they’d eventually be brought together.

The author has drawn on her own missionary experiences in writing this excellent novel.

This shines through in both the story of Hamid and his family, and in the advice from some of the minor characters (e.g. Peggy, the elderly prayer warrior who supports Bobbie). These sound like real conversations Ms Musser has had in her years as a missionary—stories of the refugees who survived the refugee highway and made it to The Oasis in Austria.

It’s a story of human courage in the face of adversity, persecution, and possible death.

It’s a story of hope, of perfect love driving out fear. It challenges our views of refugees by introducing us to real refugees—we know Hamid and Rasheed and Rasa and Omid aren’t real people, but at the same time their stories have that ring of truth, of authenticity. They could be real stories. They may well be.

After all, significant elements of the story are real.

The Oasis is a real place, and welcomes volunteers and short-term missionaries (and long-term missionaries!) to support its outreach to refugees in Austria. Elizabeth Musser is a missionary with International Teams, an organisation dedicated to helping those who survive the refugee highway. World Wide Radio was inspired by the real-life work of Trans World Radio, which broadcasts in 230 languages to reach listeners in 160 countries.

It’s inspiring and humbling to read about people like this—missionaries who are risking their lives to bring the gospel to others. Refugees who are risking their lives to escape a government that wants them dead. Normal, everyday people who are doing extraordinary things every day.

Recommended.

Thanks to Elizabeth Musser for providing a free ebook for review.

[Karen Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of Elizabeth Musser, I was delighted to have the opportunity to read and review her latest book. The Long Highway Home, is a wonderful, but heartbreaking story of the refugee crisis in the Middle East into Europe. We do not really know the difficulties faced by those who are even suspected of being Christians in places like Iran. Nor do we realize the hardships and extreme risks taken by those who try to escape. Even when they arrive to “safety” they are not always safe from their Muslim countrymen.
There are two stories going on that merge in the real life refugee center the Oasis in Austria. One story is about Bobbie Blake, a former Bible smuggler who became very involved in the refugee crisis until a family tragedy called her home, but she left with a broken heart and broken relationships. Now, at the insistence of her niece, she is facing an incurable cancer diagnosis and back in Austria, to show her unbelieving niece God’s handiwork before it is too late.
Hamid’s small daughter brings a Bible to their home in Iran. Although, Hamid is a professor and a Muslim, getting caught with a Bible forces him to flee Iran, leaving his wife and children behind. Facing many dangers, Hamid begins to experience the calling of God through dreams and miracles.
The two stories merge at the Oasis. The author has real life experience with the refugees coming to Europe from the Middle East. While this book was originally published in Dutch in Europe, it is a recent publication in the United States.
For anyone with a compassionate heart, this is an important read. While both stories have the potential for tragedy and nothing has a fairy tale ending, it is uplifting and informative – even life altering.
Our book club has read for of Elizabeth Musser’s books. Hopefully, this will be the fifth.
I received this book from The Book Club Network in exchange for my opinion.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Long Highway Home by Elizabeth Musser is an amazing, captivating novel. This is the first book by this author that I have read, but I intend to explore the others. This is a stand-alone title. This title has been a bestseller in Europe, and all of her books have been translated into multiple languages.
In this book several characters’ stories are told and are woven together. A single woman recently diagnosed with an incurable cancer makes a journey back to Austria to the Oasis, a ministry center for refugees. Her past is filled with love and loss. Her niece, Tracie, accompanies her on this journey and finds her life changed by her experience there. Tracie realizes that she does not know her aunt’s history but knows that her aunt was a Bible smuggler then.
Iranian, Hamid, flees for his life and for freedom after his daughter, Rasa, was caught with a New Testament. She found faith in this Jesus and her faith became the strength of this family. Hamid’s harrowing trek from Iran to Austria shows just how desperate the situation for refugees is.
I recommend this wonderful novel, filled with action, danger, romance, and miracles. I received this book through TBCN in exchange for an honest review.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wat een mooi boek was dit weer. Het verhaal gaat over vluchtelingen uit Iran en over de mensen die hen helpen. Over een "Oase" een vluchtelingencentrum in Oostenrijk geleidt door christenen. Het verhaal wordt verteld vanuit verschillende personen, die elk hun eigen verhaal, pijn en vragen meenemen. Het bljjft heel duidelijk wie het verhaal vertelt omdat dit bovenaan elk stukje staat. Het meest raakte me het verhaal van Tracie, ik kon me haar woede naar God zo goed voorstellen! En ik las ook nog een mooie uitspraak in dit boek. "De ogen van het geloof zien mogelijkheden. Ze kijken achterom en zien dat het verleden maar een stapje naar de toekomst was"

What a beautiful book this was again. The story is about refugees from Iran and the people who help them. About an "Oasis" a refugee center in Austria run by confirmed. The story is told from the perspective of different people, each with their own story, pain and questions. It remains very clear who is telling the story because it is stated in every piece. The most common for me was Tracie's story, I could imagine her anger towards God so well! And I also read a beautiful statement in this book. "The eyes of faith see possibilities. They look back and see that the past was only a practical path to the future"

[Joanna Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the best books around persecuted Christians I've read since "Safely Home" by Randy Alcorn. The author does a good job of portraying the reality of what Christians in other countries face, without being graphic about torture and such. Each character has their own journey to make, through different kinds of obstacles. There were too many POV's (points of view) for my preference (around 9 I think) because it slows the story down. Still, the author did a pretty good job of weaving them all together into the one cohesive story. It was difficult but good to read about the various stages of the journey a persecuted Christian must go through to escape to a safe place. And it was inspiring to read about the many different people helping to make such journeys possible. The ending was satisfying because it showed both the harsh reality/impossibilities and the miraculous intervention of God. I was moved and encouraged by this book, highly recommend!

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure: A character in "The Long Highway Home" is based on a close friend of mine, and a mission organization referred to in the book as World Wide Radio is based on the organization both of us serve with, Trans World Radio, or TWR.

The highway referred to here is the treacherous route a family of refugees from Iran takes to get to safety in Austria, and the word "highway" shouldn't be taken literally. Along the way, they discover the true Isa -- their word for Jesus. They discover that followers of Isa are willing to help them, often at great cost and risk to themselves. Of course the story is enhanced, but it's based upon events that did take place -- one of many true stories involving the amazing things God is able to do through faithful people in many ways, including through media.

Elizabeth Musser weaves several storylines into this piece, includng one involving an engineer for a Christian radio network. It's a hopeful tale, though not without heartbreak.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Elizabeth Musser writes, and that includes her new 2017 novel. The main setting is a real place in Austria – The Oasis, a place originally opened in the 1970’s to provide a place for then Communist refuges to come for refreshment, clothing, aid, and the love of Christ. The Oasis is still doing that today. The refugees may look different and are from other countries, but the need is the same. The book personalizes the plight of the refugee through a great story of love, faith, courage, danger, and hope. Did I mention sweet romance, sacrifice, daddies and daughters, sons and mothers? This one will touch your heart, the way all of her books do.

[Joan Arning · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an interesting book! I kept forgetting that it was fiction because it seemed so real. The Long Highway Home is the story of refugees from Iran and of Americans and others who help them escape and tell them of Isa (Jesus). In the beginning I had difficulty keeping the characters straight because of the names being foreign to me as an American. I'm sure the story was based on true events and my heart goes out to these people and how they suffer. I highly recommend The Long Highway Home to others. I received my copy of the book through BookFun.org. This is my honest opinion.

[Lina Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refugees through 3-D glasses

In this page-turning novel, Musser looks at the refugee issue from every angle: that of the refugee, the family surviving in the refugee's country, those helping refugees, as well a journalist. I couldn't put it down and before I was half way through, I ordered a copy for my mother for Christmas. If you are interested at all in this issue, this fact-based novel is a must read! If you aren't interested, you will be by the end of this compelling book!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart aches for refugees and their difficult plight. I also relate to those serving them. Ultimately, however, I love seeing God at work to draw people to Himself. That’s what I love most about this book!

I don’t agree with every theological exegesis in the book, but I can overlook those differences as I’m reminded of greater things at stake. May I pray more diligently for those seeking Christ ... and for my many friends serving around the world!

These are the things that make me love this book ... they help me “fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith” (Heb 12:3).

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life-changing!

I have loved Elizabeth Musser ‘s books for a long time, and our book club has read several, including The Swam House, and even took a field trip to Atlanta to visit it!
This book really impacted me, as it brought the refugee crisis to life. The characters and events all seemed very true to life. This is our book club selection for this month, and I’m looking forward to great discussion! Thank you, Elizabeth Musser, for writing such rich books which build and affirm the Christian faith!

[Daza Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book moved me deeply. I was familiar with the Oasis and some of the people the author mentioned, but she presented the refugee problem in a very personal way. As the story of this refugee family unfolds, the reader understands the horror and hardships that many in the Muslim world go through. I encourage all Christians to read this for a true picture of what it costs many to believe in Christ.

[Ruth Trippy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elizabeth Musser's novel, The Long Highway Home, is based on the true stories of refugees escaping from harsh conditions in the Middle East, aided by Christians in a place known as the Oasis, outside of Vienna, Austria. This story is beautifully told with adventure, heartache and romance. How this author brings in all the different characters and how they affect each others' lives is pitch perfect. The dialogue, the rhythm of events--all are handled with a master hand.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very different book then I tend to read but I really enjoyed the perspective and inside look into the lives of these characters. I was extremely eye-opening and heartbreaking to know this some people’s reality; running from the enemy, hiding their beliefs.

But I also enjoyed the hope this book offered, that was woven beautifully throughout this book.

A copy of this book was given to me. All opinions are my own.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting. I shed tears and I rejoiced. So good to read a book that is wholesome and encouraging and moving. I loved to hear the refugees stories. Natural stories of the struggles people have to come to Jesus (mostly because of our hangups) and mature.
I look forward to reading more from Elizabeth.

[Carol Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing and inspiring story about the struggle of those escaping from oppression and fear into places of freedom and safety, both physically and spiritually. Based on real and current stories, set in Iran, France and Austria, this story was compelling and challenging and kept me turning the pages from beginning to end.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this achingly beautiful story. Elizabeth Musser is a gifted storyteller and I so appreciate that she has used her gift, in this case, to raise awareness of the plight of refugees in our time. This is such an important subject, one to which we cannot turn a blind eye. Thank you, Ms. Musser, for bringing this to our attention.

[Dorothea Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Musser writes in a style that I’m drawn to read. This story explains the refugee crisis in clear, compelling details. I was drawn into the story and found that I wanted to visit the Austrian refugee center.
Read it! It’s a great story that deftly explains the shattering conditions of many human beings who deserve better.

[Beverly Mccollum · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating is actually a 3.75. I have always enjoyed this author’s work. And this story is quite appropriate of today’s scenario of massive immigration issues. Seen through the eyes of several well-developed characters and viewed with a healthy amount of Christian faith -this novel is interesting as well as inspiring. I’d recommend it.

[Sue Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

This is a very compelling story regarding the missionaries and people who ran the safe houses and shelters in the countries where those who were Christians were so persecuted. For those who were so brave helping them escape words can not begin to describe their courage and bravery. God is good all the time!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! 4.5 stars!
Deeply moving and highly impactful. Loved finishing this thoughtful novel on Resurrection Sunday, remembering all He gave for us- the ultimate and sacrificial sacrifice.
Enjoyed this book very much. Highly recommend.