What do you think?
Rate this book
The Long Road
Hank Galloway is a dreamer. When he looks up at the night sky, he longs to be the person who sends spaceships out into the great unknown. A position at NASA has always been his dream, and he is well on his way to achieving that goal. Hank is in the middle of working toward an engineering degree at a rigorous California university.
Hank is also looking forward to marrying one day. He has a serious girlfriend-the beautiful, kind Tracy Owens. However, Hank is hiding a crucial bit of information from Tracy: he's struggling with an undiagnosed mental illness. In the middle of a grueling academic semester, he suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalized for three days. Hank knows that ignoring his problems won't make them go away, but he isn't sure how to tell Tracy.
Unfortunately, Hank's secret leaks out when he and Tracy are visiting his parents. Soon his life is spiraling out of control, and relations with Tracy and his mother and father become unbearably strained. Will a new psychiatrist and an acceptance to an elite university help him regain his footing? Or will jail time knock him off his path to professional fulfillment and happiness?
Hank is also looking forward to marrying one day. He has a serious girlfriend-the beautiful, kind Tracy Owens. However, Hank is hiding a crucial bit of information from Tracy: he's struggling with an undiagnosed mental illness. In the middle of a grueling academic semester, he suffered a mental breakdown and was hospitalized for three days. Hank knows that ignoring his problems won't make them go away, but he isn't sure how to tell Tracy.
Unfortunately, Hank's secret leaks out when he and Tracy are visiting his parents. Soon his life is spiraling out of control, and relations with Tracy and his mother and father become unbearably strained. Will a new psychiatrist and an acceptance to an elite university help him regain his footing? Or will jail time knock him off his path to professional fulfillment and happiness?
212 pages, Paperback
Published February 8, 2018
4 people are currently reading
398 people want to read
About the author
Daniel B. Oliver
1 book38 followersDaniel Oliver has bachelor's degrees in both Spanish and Physician Assistant Studies. In writing his debut novel, THE LONG ROAD, he drew inspiration from his experience as a Physician Assistant in a psychiatry ward and his own struggles with mental illness and hospitalizations.
He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys traveling, good food, and music.
He was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and enjoys traveling, good food, and music.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 6, 2018
"The last thing I needed was an accident, since I hadn't bothered to change out of my pyjama bottoms and slippers"...Within the first few pages of The Long Road it soon becomes clear that something is not quite right with Hank Galloway, and when he meets with his friend Tom he tries to convince Tom that his neighbour is out to kill him. Luckily Hank is persuaded that he needs to visit a doctor in order to address this unexplained "paranoia" resulting in illusions and panic attacks. This is certainly not a book that I would normally read but I was intrigued about the subject matter and how the author would present a seemingly ordinary person suffering a mental breakdown.
This novel is about one man's aspirations, his hopes and dreams for the future and how such desires and ambitions are that much harder to attain when schizophrenia and depression are diagnosed...."There was that word again. Illness! How I hated it! It was up there with "disease" and "condition" two other words I'd heard that described mental disorders.".... Daniel Oliver, quite rightly, explains observes and shows how society and family react to someone with a mental illness, and how even in the toughest situations our dreams and needs for the future can still be achieved.....all it takes is a belief in one self. Many thanks to the good people of netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
This novel is about one man's aspirations, his hopes and dreams for the future and how such desires and ambitions are that much harder to attain when schizophrenia and depression are diagnosed...."There was that word again. Illness! How I hated it! It was up there with "disease" and "condition" two other words I'd heard that described mental disorders.".... Daniel Oliver, quite rightly, explains observes and shows how society and family react to someone with a mental illness, and how even in the toughest situations our dreams and needs for the future can still be achieved.....all it takes is a belief in one self. Many thanks to the good people of netgalley for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
July 6, 2018
3.5 stars The Long Road is a disturbing yet fascinating book that takes the reader into a firsthand account of what it's like to experience mental illness. Hank Galloway is a young man in his mid-20's when he first experiences a psychotic breakdown while in the midst of school and family pressures. He ends up in hospital in a psychiatric ward. Unbeknownst to him, this will be the start of his struggles with mental illness.
The book portrays the firsthand perspective well. We learn about the character's inner thoughts, fears, challenges and hopes as he experiences his journey. What makes this story relatable is that he could be anyone. Hank comes from a wealthy Georgian family whose roots are in banking. After successfully completing his degree in business and working as a banker, he decides to go back to school to become an engineer. His dream is to work for NASA. With only his savings and no parental support, he shares his journey as he navigates emotional abuse and mental illness.
There were instances in which I wished the author had gone deeper. At times, the book focused on superficial details like what outfit his girlfriend was wearing and glossed over bits that deserved more attention. However, it was a fast read and kept my attention. It has somewhat of a dark and depressing feel to it so I would suggest being in the right mood but overall a forthright look at mental illness and the challenges and stigma that people face.
Thank you to Black Rose and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Long Road is now available for purchase.
The book portrays the firsthand perspective well. We learn about the character's inner thoughts, fears, challenges and hopes as he experiences his journey. What makes this story relatable is that he could be anyone. Hank comes from a wealthy Georgian family whose roots are in banking. After successfully completing his degree in business and working as a banker, he decides to go back to school to become an engineer. His dream is to work for NASA. With only his savings and no parental support, he shares his journey as he navigates emotional abuse and mental illness.
There were instances in which I wished the author had gone deeper. At times, the book focused on superficial details like what outfit his girlfriend was wearing and glossed over bits that deserved more attention. However, it was a fast read and kept my attention. It has somewhat of a dark and depressing feel to it so I would suggest being in the right mood but overall a forthright look at mental illness and the challenges and stigma that people face.
Thank you to Black Rose and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Long Road is now available for purchase.
May 2, 2018
This was a quick book to read. Someone could probably read it in a few hours. I started it in the evening and had other things going on.
It was an informative book about the struggle of mental health. A quick glimpse inside the daily life someone dealing with the diagnoses of schizophrenia. A true and fascinating story. Can tell how hard it was growing up with his father and asks the question if he was raised with a different father, a kinder father, would the outcome be different.
I love how the author describes one version when he is having a breakdown; the one he believes is the truth, and then gives details as to what actually happened based on police and doctor records. Gives a little insight into what we do not understand with mental health patients.
Great little novel about mental health. I'm glad more people are coming forward with their own stories of mental health.
It was an informative book about the struggle of mental health. A quick glimpse inside the daily life someone dealing with the diagnoses of schizophrenia. A true and fascinating story. Can tell how hard it was growing up with his father and asks the question if he was raised with a different father, a kinder father, would the outcome be different.
I love how the author describes one version when he is having a breakdown; the one he believes is the truth, and then gives details as to what actually happened based on police and doctor records. Gives a little insight into what we do not understand with mental health patients.
Great little novel about mental health. I'm glad more people are coming forward with their own stories of mental health.
May 15, 2019
Mental illness is an international issue, and it’s happening every where. People with mental disorders are often stigmatized in the society, so reading a book in which the characters suffer from mental illness might help people understand a little bit of their struggles. It will make people more emphatic towards them. The Long Road by Daniel Oliver is one such book that can help to break this stigma.
It is an honest and insightful story of Hank, an aspiring engineer, who wishes to work for NASA. And, in order to achieve his dream, he has to deal with his unsupportive parents and combat his mental illness. He never knew the seriousness of his illness, until he was hospitalized following a mental breakdown. Medical experts try to give him answers but can’t provide him with the peace or relief he desperately craves. The book deals with his diagnosis, treatments and hospitalisation as well as the daily struggles he faces.
Read full review on my blog:
https://liveitqueensize.wordpress.com...
It is an honest and insightful story of Hank, an aspiring engineer, who wishes to work for NASA. And, in order to achieve his dream, he has to deal with his unsupportive parents and combat his mental illness. He never knew the seriousness of his illness, until he was hospitalized following a mental breakdown. Medical experts try to give him answers but can’t provide him with the peace or relief he desperately craves. The book deals with his diagnosis, treatments and hospitalisation as well as the daily struggles he faces.
Read full review on my blog:
https://liveitqueensize.wordpress.com...
May 2, 2018
The long road
Daniel Oliver
Fabulous read. A long road is the account of a young man struggling to live his dream. He wants to work for NASA, he’s working towards that goal when his life is turned upside down by a break down. So, he finds himself trying to work towards a dream and not have it scrapped by mental illness. Wonderful insight to the humanness of courage, determination and the struggles of mental challenges. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daniel Oliver
Fabulous read. A long road is the account of a young man struggling to live his dream. He wants to work for NASA, he’s working towards that goal when his life is turned upside down by a break down. So, he finds himself trying to work towards a dream and not have it scrapped by mental illness. Wonderful insight to the humanness of courage, determination and the struggles of mental challenges. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 7, 2018
A Penetrating Tale of a Trouble Mind
Mental illness tends to terribly disrupt Hank Galloway’s life. I say disrupt, since that condition certainly doesn’t ruin his life, but he pays a huge price for his actions. The Long Road by Daniel Oliver is a terrific story about the suffering Hank must endure and the major adjustments he must make in order to follow his very ambitious goals. In his dream to work for NASA as an engineer, Hank must combat not only some spectacular breakdowns but the memories of a cold, explosive father and his parents’ rejection of his key life decisions. What makes this novel hum is Oliver’s realistic portrayal of Hank’s setbacks and the humbling, blue collar decisions he must embrace (eschewing his white collar banking legacy) to cobble together the money needed to earn his engineering degree.
Along the way, we encounter some fascinating therapy sessions, complicated and compromised-laden romances, memorable characters (the family maid Jocelyn in particular), and a looming shadow of doubt as to whether Hank might be better off consigned to a psychiatric institution. The constant precariousness of Hank’s situations fills The Long Road with tension and draws the reader deeper into his difficulty of his plight.
Ultimately, Hank’s resiliency under what on the surface appear to be everyday challenges but are actually so much more make The Long Road inspiring. Right down to its satisfying climax, Oliver’s novel delivers a gripping depiction of mental illness of a character who could be your neighbor, your brother, your lover, or even yourself.
Mental illness tends to terribly disrupt Hank Galloway’s life. I say disrupt, since that condition certainly doesn’t ruin his life, but he pays a huge price for his actions. The Long Road by Daniel Oliver is a terrific story about the suffering Hank must endure and the major adjustments he must make in order to follow his very ambitious goals. In his dream to work for NASA as an engineer, Hank must combat not only some spectacular breakdowns but the memories of a cold, explosive father and his parents’ rejection of his key life decisions. What makes this novel hum is Oliver’s realistic portrayal of Hank’s setbacks and the humbling, blue collar decisions he must embrace (eschewing his white collar banking legacy) to cobble together the money needed to earn his engineering degree.
Along the way, we encounter some fascinating therapy sessions, complicated and compromised-laden romances, memorable characters (the family maid Jocelyn in particular), and a looming shadow of doubt as to whether Hank might be better off consigned to a psychiatric institution. The constant precariousness of Hank’s situations fills The Long Road with tension and draws the reader deeper into his difficulty of his plight.
Ultimately, Hank’s resiliency under what on the surface appear to be everyday challenges but are actually so much more make The Long Road inspiring. Right down to its satisfying climax, Oliver’s novel delivers a gripping depiction of mental illness of a character who could be your neighbor, your brother, your lover, or even yourself.
July 13, 2018
“The Long Road” is Daniel Oliver’s compelling novel chronicling a young man’s struggle and eventual coming to terms with mental illness.
Realistically narrated in the first person and in a straightforward manner, the story tells of a top engineering student with aspirations to work for NASA who finds himself suddenly crippled by a state of fear and mental confusion that lands him in a psychiatric ward.
The reader then follows the character’s subsequent journey as he attempts to live his life and achieve his goals burdened with a mental illness that tends to lie dormant until it attacks suddenly, wreaks havoc in his studies and relationships and pulls his goals farther from his reach.
“The Long Road” gets into the weeds and details of living with a mental illness, psychiatric treatment on a hospital ward and long term treatment with medication and therapy. Though the book is a page-turner it’s also an essential read for anyone who’s dealt with mental illness or who would like to have a realistic picture of what it’s like when this illness invades a seemingly ordinary life. With so much mental illness so prevalent – yet often misunderstood - among the population I would recommend this excellent book as required reading for everybody.
Realistically narrated in the first person and in a straightforward manner, the story tells of a top engineering student with aspirations to work for NASA who finds himself suddenly crippled by a state of fear and mental confusion that lands him in a psychiatric ward.
The reader then follows the character’s subsequent journey as he attempts to live his life and achieve his goals burdened with a mental illness that tends to lie dormant until it attacks suddenly, wreaks havoc in his studies and relationships and pulls his goals farther from his reach.
“The Long Road” gets into the weeds and details of living with a mental illness, psychiatric treatment on a hospital ward and long term treatment with medication and therapy. Though the book is a page-turner it’s also an essential read for anyone who’s dealt with mental illness or who would like to have a realistic picture of what it’s like when this illness invades a seemingly ordinary life. With so much mental illness so prevalent – yet often misunderstood - among the population I would recommend this excellent book as required reading for everybody.
July 16, 2019
BOOK REVIEW
Overall Rating = 4.69
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 4.75
Cover Marketability = 4
Editorial = 5
Hank Galloway resigns his job in banking and moves from Georgia to California in order to pursue his dream of working for NASA. All goes well until he becomes convinced his neighbor is going to kill him. Committed to a psychiatric ward Hank struggles to understand what happened to him. Was it simply exhaustion caused by too much studying and not enough sleep, or could it be something worse? Things begin to improve when he is accepted into a prestigious engineering program, but then Hank becomes convinced there are hidden cameras and listening devices in his apartment. Then comes devastating news: he has schizophrenia. Will the diagnosis kill his dream of designing rockets?
Sublime Line: “Readers will cheer for Hank Galloway, whose determination to never stop reaching for the stars puts a sympathetic face on mental illness.”
Overall Rating = 4.69
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing & Delivery = 4.75
Cover Marketability = 4
Editorial = 5
Hank Galloway resigns his job in banking and moves from Georgia to California in order to pursue his dream of working for NASA. All goes well until he becomes convinced his neighbor is going to kill him. Committed to a psychiatric ward Hank struggles to understand what happened to him. Was it simply exhaustion caused by too much studying and not enough sleep, or could it be something worse? Things begin to improve when he is accepted into a prestigious engineering program, but then Hank becomes convinced there are hidden cameras and listening devices in his apartment. Then comes devastating news: he has schizophrenia. Will the diagnosis kill his dream of designing rockets?
Sublime Line: “Readers will cheer for Hank Galloway, whose determination to never stop reaching for the stars puts a sympathetic face on mental illness.”
March 24, 2019
Interesting look into mental illness
The Long Road gives you a terrifying look into mental illness from the patient's perspective. Hank may be one of the lucky ones who will be able to live a normal life, but the possibilities of bing hospitalized is always in the back of his mind.
The writing itself, however, is usually very elementary with short subject, verb sentences. I felt as if I were reading a student's essay about what he did last summer. He talks about his feelings, but I never really feel for him except for how horrible it must be to know you have a mental illness that affects every area of your life
The Long Road gives you a terrifying look into mental illness from the patient's perspective. Hank may be one of the lucky ones who will be able to live a normal life, but the possibilities of bing hospitalized is always in the back of his mind.
The writing itself, however, is usually very elementary with short subject, verb sentences. I felt as if I were reading a student's essay about what he did last summer. He talks about his feelings, but I never really feel for him except for how horrible it must be to know you have a mental illness that affects every area of your life
April 20, 2018
The Long Road, by Daniel Oliver is an eloquent novel which takes you through a roller coaster of emotions as the main character, Hank, battles with the concepts and realities of mental illness, as well as his unsupportive parents. Will Hank be able to achieve his goal of becoming an engineer who works for NASA, or will he be overtaken by his obstacles? This story is a thrilling and highly enjoyable page-turner, which will have you cheering loudly for the success of Oliver’s protagonist, Hank.
November 5, 2019
Really interesting perspective of a first-person protagonist trying to manage relatively normal life challenges while walking a minefield created by his own mental illness. Makes you think about what it would be like to navigate day-to-day issues while always on the edge of a cliff (off of which you repeatedly fall). Enlightening book, thought that it was very well done. Nice work, Daniel!
January 28, 2020
This book kept me awake. Personally I have seen many struggles with mental health from co workers and friends. I definitely recommend this quick read. The message is very clear, people do not take birth with mental health issues, it is the family circumstances which causes it mostly. Awesome, Daniel. I loved it.
February 9, 2020
having known quite a few different people in my life, I always like reading about what makes them the way they are. good book
July 14, 2023
Engrossing
A gripping story told with care from an eye-opening perspective on mental illness, family dynamics, and following ones passion. Highly recommend.
A gripping story told with care from an eye-opening perspective on mental illness, family dynamics, and following ones passion. Highly recommend.
June 1, 2018
An insightful perspective
“The Long Road” is a brilliant ‘roadmap’ of a determined young man’s journey to achieve his true and satisfying identity, despite troubling detours of an undefined, uncertain mental illness, which takes him off road from time to time. Author Daniel Oliver keeps the reader into the mind of Hank Galloway masterfully in the journey by sharing realistically the young man’s thoughts and emotions at every twist and turn. He has the fear of failure common to any college student, the teetering insecurities in love interests, an impossible relationship with a cruel and domineering father, and more--all of which author Oliver weaves in and out of Hank’s nagging unsettled dilemma of a possible mental condition. He is a highly intelligent, affluent person from a well to do family. He is cultured, kind, and thoughtful, and yet flips into an angry aggressive person in paranoid delusional episodes. He must get a proper diagnosis and pharmacotherapy. He doubts the meds he is prescribed.
His journey begins with wondering if he even has an illness. Then he is smart enough to seek whether to accept that he has an illness. And third, he needs to find social ‘avenues’ where he can trust people and successfully deal with it. In addition, perhaps Oliver deliberately slides into the narrative Hank’s thoughts and desires about the competency of his therapies and psychiatrists. There are several, each with his own methods. Those characters and what they say and ask also draw in the reader, I think. To wit, is Hank simply depressed with chemical imbalance and releases chemicals and hormones when he becomes aggressive and delusional? Is he neurotic or truly psychotic? Is he dangerous to society? Is anyone using Hank? That side of the story is never too murky; however, because of Hank’s drive and concern for others, he gets better at negotiating with his condition and his future.
All in all, “The Long Road” is an insightful perspective into how a person who is dealing with mental illness might go about getting help by taking the proper steps without too much collateral damage to life and the pursuit of happiness. The story moves along nicely, is an easy read and I recommend it. ---Stephen Michael Berberich, author of the psychodrama “Night at the Belvedere.”
“The Long Road” is a brilliant ‘roadmap’ of a determined young man’s journey to achieve his true and satisfying identity, despite troubling detours of an undefined, uncertain mental illness, which takes him off road from time to time. Author Daniel Oliver keeps the reader into the mind of Hank Galloway masterfully in the journey by sharing realistically the young man’s thoughts and emotions at every twist and turn. He has the fear of failure common to any college student, the teetering insecurities in love interests, an impossible relationship with a cruel and domineering father, and more--all of which author Oliver weaves in and out of Hank’s nagging unsettled dilemma of a possible mental condition. He is a highly intelligent, affluent person from a well to do family. He is cultured, kind, and thoughtful, and yet flips into an angry aggressive person in paranoid delusional episodes. He must get a proper diagnosis and pharmacotherapy. He doubts the meds he is prescribed.
His journey begins with wondering if he even has an illness. Then he is smart enough to seek whether to accept that he has an illness. And third, he needs to find social ‘avenues’ where he can trust people and successfully deal with it. In addition, perhaps Oliver deliberately slides into the narrative Hank’s thoughts and desires about the competency of his therapies and psychiatrists. There are several, each with his own methods. Those characters and what they say and ask also draw in the reader, I think. To wit, is Hank simply depressed with chemical imbalance and releases chemicals and hormones when he becomes aggressive and delusional? Is he neurotic or truly psychotic? Is he dangerous to society? Is anyone using Hank? That side of the story is never too murky; however, because of Hank’s drive and concern for others, he gets better at negotiating with his condition and his future.
All in all, “The Long Road” is an insightful perspective into how a person who is dealing with mental illness might go about getting help by taking the proper steps without too much collateral damage to life and the pursuit of happiness. The story moves along nicely, is an easy read and I recommend it. ---Stephen Michael Berberich, author of the psychodrama “Night at the Belvedere.”
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews