Critical Praise

"The characters are not always likable --- Morton is harsh and rather unpleasant at times --- but they are certainly realistic. The situations that Morton and his family face are often dramatic, but the events do not seem heavy-handed or exaggerated. Settling the American west was treacherous, and The Long Journey Home captures the danger and risk at the heart of the settlers’ experience."

—Nanette Donohue, Historical Novels Review, August 2008

"Ms. Mean's has written a wonderful post-Civil War story of life on the plains. The novel strives for historical accuracy over easy stereotypes, realism over cheap sentimentality and the author makes the wise choice of portraying her characters as fully realized human beings with all of their strengths and weaknesses helping to shape their fate. A reader is given an accurate and inspired journey through the hardships and struggles of a family trying to survive in an often harsh and difficult environment. Within these struggles, there is also a tale of the power of hope, faith and love. Well done!"

—TGB, Amazon Reviews, November 2008

"Filled with shifting landscapes and graphic action, the novel’s suspense-filled pace never slows. Its final scene celebrates the survival of the human spirit, a testimony as valid today as it was a century ago --- testimony perhaps even more welcome in our time."

—G. Miller, Academy Chicago Press, January 2008

"Finished the book --- so hard to put down --- and liked it very much!   It has a strong plot and a heroine who grows on one; also a solidly constructed physical world that makes one feel yes, the settler experience must have been very like that (guess that's why I like the cover shot of a very simple interior). Liked the use of Bunyan: it connects .  And that's a great last line. Would make a wonderful movie!"

—Jay Macpherson, author of The Boatman and other works, noted Toronto writer and critic