The Longest Trip Home: A Memoir, by John Grogan

What do we adopt and what do we reject? And how do they feel about the implicit judgment we are making about their lives?

My parents were party Republicans and my freshman year in college I proudly displayed a Nixon poster on my door -- much to the chagrin of my liberal roommate. By the time I graduated in 1972, I was ready to vote for Shirley Chisholm and somewhat of a mystery to my parents.

For John Grogan, whose parents were devout and old-school Catholics, his rejection of some Catholic practices was especially difficult because he held his parents in such high regard. As much as he would have liked to, John could not share his father's unquestioning faith. "Dad was blessed with the gift of faith; I was born with the curse of skepticism. He was hardwired to believe, I to doubt." Throughout his antic, prank-filled and rebellious youth, both their love for him and their faith remained absolute.

Part of becoming an adult is the process of discovering your own beliefs and learning to live to your expectations rather than those of your parents. As he did in his bestseller Marley & Me, Grogan describes his journey with humor and compassion.

Reviewed by Sarah, Adult Selection Specialist.

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