KEVIN LYNCH
Homeward bound
Kristin Hannah explores the meaning of family and more
Fans of novelist Kristin Hannah can now welcome the return of a beloved book. First published in 1996, Home Again has been rereleased for a new generation of readers—and for longtime fans as well.
Costco member Hannah, speaking from her home on an island in the Pacific Northwest, says that Home Again marked a change in her writing path, from the historical romances she started with to novels focused on contemporary women finding their way through a difficult and complicated world. “Home Again has a very dramatic plot,” Hannah says. “I like to write about life-altering events that push characters to examine their lives and move forward with better choices for themselves and their families.”
In the novel, Madelaine Hillyard is a world-famous heart surgeon with a messy personal life. A loving but overworked single mom, she is constantly at odds with Lina, her 16-year-old daughter. Lina is confused and angry, a rebel yearning to find the father who walked away before she was born. Lina’s father is Angel DeMarco, a notorious “bad boy” actor who, years earlier, abandoned Madelaine to search for fame and fortune. Now, stricken with serious heart disease, he finds himself under Madelaine’s care—and meeting the daughter he never knew.
Originally a lawyer, Hannah started to write during a difficult pregnancy when she was on extended bed rest. At first, she was completely optimistic. “I thought, ‘How hard can it be?’” she says with a laugh. “I soon found out. But I became obsessed and wanted to have a career as a writer. I figured that if it didn’t work out, I’d go back to practicing law. But I was fortunate to have success and never looked back.”
“Success” is putting it mildly. Hannah has written 24 novels, including the 2015 international blockbuster The Nightingale, which has been published in 43 languages and is currently in movie production at TriStar Pictures. Her 2012 novel Home Front has been optioned for film, and Firefly Lane became a runaway bestseller in 2009.
Medicine plays an important role in Home Again. “I would have been a doctor or a psychiatrist in another life,” she jokes, adding that she is fascinated by the human body. To correctly portray the complex medical issues in the story, she did extensive research, including consulting experts in heart disease.
Hannah, who writes longhand in pen on yellow legal pads, says she loves the flexibility that writing offers: “I can write on my deck, at the beach, in my living room.” When working on a book, she writes six days a week, for a full working day. “Now that I have grandchildren, however, I’ve learned to take time off to relax and play,” she adds.
Hannah just sent her latest manuscript to her editor. She won’t reveal the plot, other than to say it is a historical novel about a woman struggling to survive during tumultuous times. While we wait, we can come Home Again.
Ellen Schwartz is the author of 17 award-winning books for children. She lives in Burnaby, British Columbia.
Moving historical fiction
Glynis Peters’ The Red Cross Orphans introduced readers to World War II Red Cross volunteer Kitty Pattison. The Orphan’s Letters, the second book in a four-book series, follows Kitty as her work with the Red Cross has her moving from post to post in the U.K., and the mail is her way to stay in touch with Canadian doctor Michael McCarthy.
Costco Connection
Why did you decide to continue Kitty Pattison’s story?
Glynis Peters
I was midway into writing The Red Cross Orphans when I envisaged Kitty’s future with Michael and knew I couldn’t fit their story into one book. The stronger her character and others became, I knew I had to follow her through to the end of World War II.
CC
What do you like most about Kitty?
GP
The way she leaves home as a naive girl and becomes a nurse who achieves incredible things and overcomes the horrors of war.
CC
Is there anything else you’d like readers to know?
GP
I’m particularly thrilled that a German American wrote to me to say her mother was a “Kitty” in Germany during World War II, and my story highlighted some of the mysteries in letters she found, of why her mother moved around so much. It validated my research. I use a lot of historical fact, but I also claim artistic licence when it comes to Kitty and her Canadian hero.
Also in the warehouse
The Bad Guys—Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake and Mr. Shark—might be scary and mean, but they also just want to be heroes and do good. Readers ages 7 to 10 will laugh themselves silly with this graphic novel series written and illustrated by Aaron Blabey.
Their adventures find them battling meowing monsters, borrowing a rocket, creating a door to a new world and more.The Bad Guys box set (books 1–5) and The Bad Guys Even Badder box set (books 6–10) (Item 1571520) will be available in December in most Costco warehouses.—AL
Costco Connection: You’ll find a selection of products to create your perfect recreation room—including furniture, chairs, games, televisions, lighting and much more—in Costco warehouses or at Costco.ca.