A raw, haunting, and unforgettable debut novel about family, guilt, and survival in small-town America.
 
Harley Altmyer is just nineteen when his mother is sent to prison for killing his abusive father, leaving him to care for his three younger sisters in their rural Pennsylvania home. Struggling to make ends meet, Harley finds himself trapped between duty and desire, resentment and responsibility. When an affair with an older neighbor leads to tragic consequences, his fragile world begins to unravel.
 
In Back Roads, Tawni O’Dell delivers a darkly compelling story of loss, longing, and the heavy burdens of love. Set in a bleak Appalachian mining town, the novel explores what happens when a young man shoulders adult responsibilities before he’s ready—and how guilt, anger, and isolation shape his search for redemption.
 
Written with gritty realism and emotional honesty, O’Dell captures both the harshness and humanity of working-class life. Harley’s voice is equal parts defiant and heartbreaking, pulling readers into a world where choices are few but consequences are crushing.
A finalist for the Oprah’s Book Club and praised for its unflinching portrayal of trauma and resilience,
 
Back Roads stands as a modern American classic about family loyalty, loss, and the desperate need for escape.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
A deeply emotional, character-driven story of guilt and survival.
Powerful, authentic voice that captures rural American life.
Explores complex family dynamics with raw honesty.
Blends psychological depth with page-turning tension.
An Oprah’s Book Club selection with enduring critical acclaim.
 
🌟 Perfect For
Fans of White Oleander and The Lovely Bones.
Readers who appreciate dark, emotional contemporary fiction.
Book clubs exploring trauma, forgiveness, and redemption.
Anyone who enjoys realistic, small-town family sagas.
 
❤️ Fans Also Liked
If you enjoyed Back Roads, you might also like:
Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison — raw and powerful Southern realism.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd — family, resilience, and emotional healing.
Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell — survival and moral complexity in rural America.