Sometimes books present themselves to us at special times of our lives and we love them because there is something particularly timely to us. I love Elizabeth Berg since Pull of the Moon, Open House and Durable Goods but this book was timely to me because my mother just died and she was a woman a lot like Helen. Home Safe is a story about a woman whose husband died and she is forced to grapple with no only the loneliness of losing a marriage but the loss of a man who took care of life, paying the bills, fixing things, getting to where you need to go. Some negative reviews have focused on how they hate Helen and her helplessness. My mother too was paralyzed after the death of my father and so I think we shouldn't judge her because this is a reality for some women married for a long time. E Berg's writing is always so light and easy and she focuses on ordinary moments that yield remembrance and significance. This was the second time I had started reading this book. I read the whole book this time. The first time I had found the story to sad. The characters became like neighbors to me; I was interested in what was happening in their lives and I could of sat and listened to them talk for hours. I cheered every "baby-step" that Helen took. I wanted to live in the house that Dan and Tom built for Helen. This book had a mellow mood that really enjoyed.
A good story. Great to see a heroine that is strong and perfect and can handle everything...
—Nikki
Mostly good although Helen's grasp on her daughter, Tessa's life was annoying.
—bubbleandsqueak
Another score for Elizabeth Berg. I like the world she lives in!
—addictionwave
soso
—skyscraper
