The Long Way Home: The Story of a Homes Kid

by Kate Shayler

The Long Way Home is the first instalment of Kate's life story. Kate grew up a "homes kid" in the 1950s and 60s, institutionalised into the Burnside Children's Home as a young child after the death of her mother. Kate and her two siblings were placed by their father into the Pennant Hills Burnside. Kate quickly learns to live by the rules of the home and endure the loneliness, cruelty, loss of self and sense of betrayal that came from her life in the homes and her monthly visits to her abusive father.

Despite the subject matter, Kate's writing style is anything but self-pitying. Within the story is an uplifting sense of community, camraderie, and the humour that life through the eyes of a child can bring. Kate created her own sense of family and her own self-worth and her strength and resilience shine through in her writing. Despite a childhood darkened with death, sexual abuse and the pain of separation, Kate's memories of Burnside are often humorous and fondly recalled.

The Long Way Home: The Story of a Homes Kid, most of all, drives home the profound importance of recognising every child's worth.

"A moving story that both breaks the heart and lends it courage" - Caroline Jones AO

327 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Diane Tait · Rating 3 out of 5]

Other readers said they found this book uplifting but not me. I thought it was depressing but thoroughly felt for Kate as a Homes kid. She was let down by so many adults throughout her childhood. I wish no child had to go through that. She spent her ‘incarcerated’ life wishing to go home but once finally home after 12 years, she wanted to go back to what she knew. Completely understandable - one of the reasons recidivists reoffend.

[Laura Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s been a few days since I read this book but I can’t shake it. The writing is deceptively simple but the message of the effects of abuse are so poignant.

[Jodi Blackman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sad story of separation, abuse, but also one of survival and strength.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an amazing insight into a totally different childhood to my own. There were obviously those who could not cope and many more who endured it and came out the other side, better and stronger because of it. A really good read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read, have a box of tissues on stand by