Ticket Home

by James Michael Pratt

At the dawn of World War II, in rural Oklahoma, identical twins Lucien and Norman Parker are bound by the tragic death of their mother, their railroad jobs, and an abiding well of brotherly devotion. But when both fall for the prettiest girl in town, they learn the hard way that they can't share everything. It is brash Lucien who finally wins her hand, while gentle cherishes and the brother who betrayed him. At last, reunited, and reconciled, in the war-torn South Pacific, Lucien and Norman fight side by side. But burdened with the heartbreaking loss of his brother--and the weight of a shocking secret that will haunt him for decades to come...

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Adult, Romance, Historical, Chick Lit, Novels

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published December 31, 2000

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another touching love story by Pratt that is set during World War II. I enjoy his style of writing. He writes clean romance novels without all the trashy talk. He also writes very realistic descriptions of battles during the war.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twin brothers, Lucian And Norman Parker, fall in love with the same woman. Lucian, the more out-going, marrys her just as both brothers are sent to the Philippines at the beginning of WWII. The twins have grown up running a short line railroad w/ their Pa and these skills come into good use. The horror of war is vivid. I had a pretty good idea how this story would shake out.

[John Burnham · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book was written for adults. After reading it I think it was written for children 10 to 15 years old. I was trite, it was not well researched. I skimmed a lot. Skip this book and move on to something worth your intellect.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

I figured it out before I was half way through reading the book. I was kind of bummed because it was a plot I did not care for nor wanted to read. I figured three different scenarios of how it would play out. BUT, it turned out a lot better than I thought it would.

[Nan Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book because I had just read and enjoyed "The Lighthouse Keeper" by this same author. The two books had exactly the same formula (I guess all his books do) and were both very sweet and very slow moving. As in "Lighthouse," we started with an economic turn down, unexpected opportunity followed by an unexpected tragic death followed by hard working young people seeking their future amidst cataclysmic world events.

The premise had a lot of potential, but just left me flat. Nothing really wrong, just nothing ... well, nothing. And of course, this whole business of starting the novel by saying "there's this deep, dark secret that's been kept for X number of years and won't be revealed until the last chapter" always turns me off.

I won't be reading any more from this author.

[Jodi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, again, I only read about the first 30 pages, but I just wasn't getting into it. It had really "hick" language, and it seemed to be talking more about trains than the supposed love story. It was also difficult to keep the 2 main characters (twins) straight. With so many other books I want to read, I decided not to finish this one. It just wasn't pulling me to read it. I did read somewhere though that James Michael Pratt lives in Provo, UT, so I'm guessing there's a good chance he's Mormon, which could makes his books nice and clean maybe, but this one just didn't do it for me.

[Denise Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The setting is before, during and after WWII. Lucian and Norman are identical twins who fall in love with the same girl. Only one wins out (obviously), though the young lady does love both of them. Both men are with the National Guard and are eventually pulled into service in the Philippines. The descriptions of the conditions these soldiers were met with and had to live through was horrific. Only one twin survives to come home to Mary Jane. This book was very moving and heartbreaking. The history lesson was most enlightening. Heartwarming ending.

I would like to thank my grandfather, great uncle, father-in-law, uncles and brother for their service and all those other service men and women for going through what they do in order for us to be able to live each day free, but especially at this time of year. Merry Christmas to you all and a very Blessed New Year.

[Dawna Burleson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was taken in by this book from the very 1st page. It was about life...it was about love...it was about loss...it was about war...it was about God and it was about forgiveness.

I love history. I have seen pictures about the death march yet I didn't really understand exactly how this could have happened. Now I do. I was a military wfe for over 20 plus years. This was still an eye opener for me.

A journey into the past and a lesson about how our government operates. It is true. Paper work takes too long before fulfilling the things they promise to the men and women who serve.

Kudos....James Michael Pratt

[ken whitsitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love is everlastig!

Another good book by Michael. I have another of his books ready to read. Michael has a way of holding your interest and wanting the reader to not put down the book

[Dianne Surmeier · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read in a long time.

[Laura Duffield Biegger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. "Ugh" directed at the love story portion, not the war portions.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C-. fiction, WWII, twins, mistaken identity, Mom's stash, discard

[Natalee Nalls · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the novel is set in a past era but the emotion still feels relatable and relevant for any generation. Loved this story.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Predicted ending.

[Rise Pfouts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good take on a love triangle, however it was very predictable toward the end.

[Shauna Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting read of WWII with Japan

[AB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started reading but didn’t finish

[Katie Raves · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I absolutely respect his affinity towards the impact of the world on the Greatest Generation and the historical accuracies, I did find myself sometimes hoping there were better descriptive settings and a more clarifying timeline. Most character development was mediocre and it was a drag at times. It would be two stars but the ending was emotional. (The “twist” was obvious from the start). Not my usual genre, but I got it free and it had been on my shelf for years. My number generator chose this to be my first read (all my reads are randomly chosen)

[Julie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just about the sappiest piece of crap I’ve seen in a long time.

[Jamie (jamie.reads.books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second reading of this book, and I loved it just as much the second time around. Pratt writes such beautiful (and clean) love stories, all based during WWII. They are wonderful. I recommend them to anyone who loves clean, well-written romances. Warning - some of the war stories are a little gruesome and very realistic. They give a true face to what WWII was truly like. Beautiful story about two different types of love. Read it!

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very touching story of two brothers (twins) Norman and Lucian who were sent to the Philippines during WWII. Their family motto, Keep the Faith, describes each boy's efforts to make it through the war and home to the girl the love. Their story of love, loyalty, and forgiveness is sure to leave an impact on your heart and mind.

[Amber Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Nicholas Sparks, you will like James Michael Pratt's book Ticket Home.

Two twin brothers love the same girl, one of them marries her, both go off to war, and only one returns...

Wonderfully written and a definate page turner. The "war year" seemed to drag on a little bit, but it was worth it to get to the end.

I'm looking forward to reading other books by James Michael Pratt

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

It didn't take long --maybe 2 or 3 pages -- to figure out how this one would turn out. That said, it is a well-written story, again about The Greatest Generation and their experiences in WW II. The romance is sweet, and the descriptions of war and combat are vividly real.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deals with the issues of love and war, and shows that not all is fair. Pratt dives into the horrors of Japanese camps during WWII and what cheating and deceit do to love.

James Michael Pratt is an excellent story-teller, but his books always carry an undertone of sadness and regret.

[Adelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book. Very predictable, but still touching and a good lesson on love. Even though I knew what was going to happen before the end, the end still gets a bit heart wrenching and left me a bit teary.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the attitude of the author. Writes of commitment to marriage, love. Also about appreciating our liberties and all that so many have done to preserve our right to be free. Younger generations don't appreciate what they have, they have not had to live through war and depression.

[Yvonne O'Connor · Rating 1 out of 5]

A story of two twin brothers, set in WWII, who fall in love with the same girl and when one of them dies, the other takes his place.

Contrived, predictable, and dull. This is the kind of book that makes me believe anyone can get published.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book, although it seemed obvious to me from the beginning what the secret was. I still enjoyed the book. Some of the war stories were difficult to read, but that is what life was like for these men. It was a very informative and interesting book, with a great love story mixed in!

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful book, I couldn't put it down..... I love a book that can teach. I thought December 7, 1941 was just about Pearl Harbor- I guess I missed that in school!! Very in depth, very touching story of love and war, family and commitment. I will be looking for more books by this author.

[Regil Aput · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I remember this book, I just can't help but reminds me of my Grandfather an x-soldier who have fought against the Japs during World War 2. He has a friend - an american soldier I just forgot his friend name whom until now he still longs to see him again.