How Many Roads

Hearts of the Children #3

by Dean Hughes

Book by Hughes, Dean

Genres: Historical Fiction, Lds Fiction, Lds, Fiction, Religion, Historical, Church

467 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Dean Hughes is the author of more than eighty books for young readers, including the popular sports series Angel Park All-Stars, the Scrappers series, the Nutty series, the widely acclaimed companion novels Family Pose and Team Picture, and Search and Destroy. Soldier Boys was selected for the 2001 New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age list. Dean Hughes and his wife, Kathleen, have three children and six grandchildren. They live in Midway, Utah.

Reviews

[Stan Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) several of the "Hearts of the Children" series that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Jeff Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series. Hughes tells a great story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. I don't know if it'll be my favorite, but I really enjoyed it. Some of the the characters I learned to like more, some I didn't. Dean has again mastered the way of presenting emotional problems and making them real. His writing is wonderful.

Below are spoilers:

Diane:
Oh my Goodness. I DO. NOT. LIKE. GREG. He is terrible! He was never good for Diane in the beginning and I can not believe she pushed aside her doubts. Now she's stuck and can't get Kent back. Terrible. Greg is just mean and abusive and terrible. It's really sad and I've not enjoyed it. Why?!!! But I love Jenny. She's a delight and I'm glad Diane has her. I sure hope Diane leaves Greg next book, so she still has a chance at happiness. I've gotten less annoyed with Diane a bit but also annoyed more with her. I guess this is portraying life, and Dean does do a good job.

Gene:
I LOVE GENE!!! Emily is amazing. I'm so glad he found her. :D And Danny. :d He's precious, but I do wish they would've had him a little later on, but I wouldn't change what happens. I hope Gene does well with the war. In a way Gene's story reminds me of Alex's. Similar situations. I also hope that Gene doesn't have the same problems his dad did. Otherwise I will think it's copying. But I think it will be neat. I'm curious to see how his story progresses

Kathy:
I've never connected very well with her story. Can't say I liked Gary much. I hope she finds a nice guy who understands her and Kathy finds herself. It'll be cool with a Peace Corps view.

Hans:
I liked Hans so much better in this book. I think it was really interesting. I really hope something happens with him and Elli, I think I'll like her better to. Inga as well.

Overall I was pleased with it, and am ready for the next installment in this epic sequel series to Children of the Promise.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a wonderful addition to the series. Although it's not my favorite of the series. The stories progress so much!

Diane, oh my, Diane. I do NOT like Greg at all! He's so mean to her. I mean he gave her bruises and slammed her into a stinkin' mirror. Why couldn't Diane listen to her fmaily. She should've left him.

Dean Hughes did an amazing job with all the battle scenes in the last series and I'm over joyed to find out that he's doign a wonderufl job again! Gene becomes a father, YAY! But he goes off to Vietnam, *sniff sniff sob sob*. Poor Emily and Gene. I loved how Alex talked to Gene before he left though. That was a wonderful part of the book. I just loved it!

Kathy...at first I liked that professor but not so much anymore. I'm glad she didn't get very far with him, although I must say I was partly still rooting for him and her to get together just because. I hope she gets married!

One story I wish we could no a little more about is Kurt's. I suppose I might understand why but I still think his story would be an interesting one.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This entire series by Dean Hughes is enjoyable. #3 "How Many Roads" starts with the assassination of Robert Kennedy in June 1968 and goes through Thanksgiving 1969. While the earlier books saw the Thomas grandchildren's lives intertwined (they were all living in Utah), this book breaks off into four separate and isolated story lines and I wonder if they will ever intersect again.

Gene marries Emily Osborne and graduates, which immediately ends his deferment from the military draft and he is sent to Vietnam. It is heartbreaking to read of how he (like many other dads in the late 60s/early 70s) must deal with the challenge of being on the other side of the world while Emily back home cares for their newborn son without him. Kathy finishes at Smith College and decides to try out the Peace Corps in the Philippines. Diane and her husband, Greg, move to Seattle so he can attend law school (based on the author's own experience) and marital problems start almost right off the bat (NOT based on the author's own experience). Kurt struggles with keeping his faith-and his sanity-while suffering through solitary confinement in a Stasi prison.

This is an interesting story that drives the reader to continue the series--and clean, typical of Dean Hughes. I've already started on book #4 before even getting to this review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to read about the war. I was a young child during this time so don't recall any memories of it. So much controversy though about if we should be there and were we doing any good. Reading about how Hans made the best out of his situation in prison was inspiring. To have totally nothing but sit and recall scripture and delve into the meaning of Christ's teachings to help him through that long period of time was so awesome. Diane definitely has her struggles with being married to Greg. And Kathy - well she is my least favorite part of the book. But good book.

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than book 2. Kathy is less annoying, Hans is still awesome, gene goes to Nam, and Diane suffers the consequences of her actions.

This series still lacks the special spark the first series has. The first series had every character feel like real person you could get to know and become friends with, while the characters in this series are flat, not dynamic, and often wooden. Some, like Emily, are dropped in so quickly that I don’t know how to think of them.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m usually reading 3-4 books at a time so I can pick up whatever I feel like reading. It just so happened that this book and two of the others (one romance and one memoir) are about young married couples with serious marital problems. It got old. So I didn’t enjoy this as much as other Hughes books. The other main characters were also young adults with depressing problems: one in an East German prison and one having a faith crisis. Hope the next book in series isn’t so hard to read.

[Charly Troff (JustaReadingMama) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book doesn't feel like the middle of a series. It keeps things moving quickly and keeps you wanting to continue the series. I love the way Dean Hughes writes characters and portrays different points of view validly. He explores issues in a way that really makes you question your own views and think about things in a new light.

[Kimmie Davenport]

This book is very good. I loved the characters and what they go through is really interesting! The plot is really good and always is throwing another surprise at me! ( I like surprises so that a good thing :) ) The characters seem very real to me and I can picture me there with them. I would love to read it again!

[Hanna Waldram · Rating 4 out of 5]

As good as the first two in the series! Continues to raise interesting questions about the time period, especially for those who are members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love seeing the growth in the members of the church and seeing views expand. I think it’s very much a parallel of our day. Definitely recommend!

[Leslie Books and Socks Rock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in 3 days, I love following the characters through the crazy 60's. I cant wait to read the next one and keep cheering them on! 4 stars, not quite 5, because it didnt really end on a cliff hanger.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved the Children of the Promise series, but this one doesn't have as many characters it follows, so it is getting draggy. Still a good way to learn about those times and to be part of the struggles and questions and growth of the characters.

[Danni · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved these books.

[Brittany Beardall · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good buck....but all the people in this book are driving me nuts!!

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it. Great author. My favorite.

[Vladimir Putin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Russia, there's a saying: All roads lead to Moscow. They are correct. To how many there are, idk probably more than 12

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read. Good story line. The author knows how to provoke emotions and draw you in.

[Sharyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I relate to many of the feelings described by the characters in this volume.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good. I like the variety and depth of character experiences. Life is hard. I also like the historical narrative connections.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many reminders about how it was in the 60's. There is hope in this series. Is that cartoon-ish? I hope not!!

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a great description of what it was like to live during the late 60s--the social revolutions going on, as well as Vietnam.

[Stan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think one of the best things about Dean Hughes' authorial style is that it's clean and transparent. The story pulls you in, but you're not constantly being reminded that you're *in* a story--that, to me, is a mark of a skilled author.

I had to laugh, a little, when I realised that after reading (well, listening to) "Far From home," and a few of the sequels, that I had become engrossed in what essentially amounts to and LDS literary soap opera. But Hughes has definitely done his homework, making the background and historicity of his novels very accurate and believable. His characters are also very compelling and 3-dimensional, and I guess there's just something in me that enjoys following the lives of a couple of families across several generations.

This is clean, easy reading that doesn't insult the readers' intelligence, and doesn't compromise any standards (at least not LDS standards). It's a good escape, reading-wise, and though it has the semi-meandering quality of any soap opera, the stories are ones that are good enough that you want to keep following them--even across consecutive series.

It's not great literature, necessarily (hence 4-star vs. 5-star), but Hughes makes for good reading that's engaging and entertaining. I'm going to recommend his books.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series, set in the 1960s and tracing the lives of Thomas family cousins Gene, Kathy, Diane, and Hans (introduced in the earlier Children of the Promise series) is better than I remembered it on first reading. Hughes does a good job of presenting the confusion of the times and the various sides that people took when approaching Vietnam, the women's movement, the Civil Rights movement, and the general cultural upheaval that took place. (I remember it well.) The insights into life in East Germany are fascinating and heartbreaking. This volume tracks Hans's experiences as a political prisoner in East Germany; Diane's experiences as she is engaged to and marries Greg Lyman and they move to Seattle for him to attend law school; Gene's experiences as he marries Emily Osborne and they have their first child, Danny, and he graduates from the University of Utah and then he is drafted into the Army; and Kathy's experiences as she graduates from Smith College and begins work as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Philippines. Reading about these four cousins was a page-turner for me, even though I have read the books before. Excellent series.

[Malyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't even believe Diane's relationship with Greg in this book, it made me so mad! I only finished because I really wanted to know if she would ever stand up for her self. She certainly should have waited for Kent. The rest of the children and main plots in this book were mostly the same, Kathy trying to figure herself out, Hans dealing with horrible things in Germany, and Gene still trying to be like his dad. I can't wait to finish this series just to know how all of these stories finally end! They are good, but after a while you get tired of reading about the same themes, which is common in this book.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as the series is going, I really liked this one and would actually liked to have given it a 4.5. I mentioned in my review of an earlier book in the series that this is just like a mormon soap opera, and I have to say that I stand by that statement, maybe that is why I keep liking each book in the series just a little better. Hughes does a great job of drawing you into each character and I even have to say that while I was reading this one I did wish that I could go back to my college days and maybe do a little more, maybe go far away to college, or just travel more. Already started the next in the series.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved reading this series. I started years ago when they first came out but then lost track. I have since inherited the entire "Children of the Promise" and "Hearts of the Children" series. I love that I do not have to wait for the next book. The books are about life in America during WWII and the Vietnam War and are told from the perspective of an LDS family. Although the family is "Mormon" none of them are portrayed as perfect. Instead they are shown as normal people facing life in extraordinary times.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book continues to give a very interesting look into life in the 60's and once again, made me glad I didn't live in that time. So many difficult, but important questions are raised in this story and I really enjoyed watching the characters try to face and answer them. Greg and Diane's relationship makes me so sad and angry. Greg is awful and it is so sad the way Diane plays in to it and makes excuses for him. This seems like the heaviest book of the series so far as so many of the characters are facing really difficult things and low points in their life.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely excellent! This series is a Latter-Day Saint novel starting in the 1960's (I haven't read the series to the end yet, so I'm not sure what period it ends in).

The series before this, Children of the Promise, was about an LDS family living in Salt Lake City at the on-set of WWII -- Hearts of the Children continues with that same family. It has helped me make a lot of realizations about my own past and feelings, seeing how that's when/where I grew up. Very personable.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a little harder to read. Everyone warns Diane that she's making a mistake by marrying Greg. We all hope that she is going to back out but the invitations have already gone and that would be too embarrassing. As the book continues I feel that I am reliving the worst time in my life EXACTLY. Greg is my ex husband and I did what Diane is doing in this book. It's a little creepy. I am just so glad that it is over for me.