Run for the Hills
A Novel
By: Kevin Wilson
About This Book
An unexpected road trip across America brings a family together, in this raucous and moving new novel from the bestselling author of Nothing to See Here. Ever since her dad left them twenty years ago, it's just been Madeline Hill and her mom on their farm in Coalfield, Tennessee. While she sometimes admits it's a bit lonely and a less exciting life than she imagined for herself, it's mostly OK. Mostly. Then one day Reuben Hill pulls up in a PT Cruiser and informs Madeline that he believes she's his half sister. Reuben--left behind by their dad thirty years ago--has hired a detective to track down their father and a string of other half siblings. And he wants Mad to leave her home and join him for the craziest kind of road trip imaginable to find them all. As Mad and Rube--and eventually the others--share stories of their father, who behaved so differently in each life he created, they begin to question what he was looking for with each new incarnation. Who are they to one another? What kind of man will they find? And how will these new relationships change Mad's previously solitary life on the farm? Infused with deadpan wit, zany hijinks, and enormous heart, Run for the Hills is a sibling story like no other--a novel about a family forged under the most unlikely circumstances and united by hope in an unknown future.
AI Overview
Book Overview: "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson
Plot Summary: "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson is a heartwarming and humorous novel about four half-siblings who embark on a cross-country road trip to find their long-absent father. The story begins with Madeline Hill, who has lived a solitary life on a farm in Coalfield, Tennessee, with her mother since their father left them twenty years ago. One day, Reuben Hill, who claims to be Madeline's half-brother, arrives with a PT Cruiser and informs her that he has hired a detective to track down their father and other half-siblings. Reuben convinces Madeline to join him on an adventurous journey to reunite with their siblings and ultimately find their father.
During their road trip, they meet Pepper, their 21-year-old basketball-star sister, and Theron, their quirky 10-year-old filmmaker brother. Together, they travel across America, sharing stories about their father and questioning his motivations for creating multiple lives. The siblings face various challenges and experiences, which ultimately bring them closer together and help them understand their father's complex and enigmatic personality.
Key Themes:
- Redemption and Found Family: The novel explores themes of redemption and the formation of found family. The siblings, who were previously strangers, come together and form strong bonds through their shared experiences.
- Identity and Belonging: The story delves into the search for identity and belonging. Each character is grappling with who they are and where they belong, both in relation to their father and within their newfound family.
- Humor and Sentiment: The book is infused with deadpan wit and zany hijinks, blending humor and sentiment in a way that resonates across generations.
Critical Reception:
- Goodreads Review: The book has been praised for its compelling plotline, perfect for adaptation into an Oscar-worthy film. Reviewers have noted that Kevin Wilson has crafted another quirky, funny, and deeply moving tale that resonates across generations.
- Book Review by Northshire: The novel is described as deeply funny and heartfelt, with four previously unknown half-siblings embarking on a road trip across America to find their long-absent father.
- Kirkus Reviews: The review highlights the novel's raucous and moving nature, focusing on the unexpected road trip that brings a family together. It emphasizes the deadpan wit and enormous heart that make the story compelling.
- Book Browse Summary: This summary emphasizes the novel's raucous and moving nature, highlighting the journey of Madeline and her siblings as they come together to find their father. It also notes the bestselling author's unique storytelling style.
Overall, "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of family, identity, and redemption, infused with deadpan wit and zany hijinks. The critical reception praises the book for its compelling plot, emotional depth, and its ability to resonate with readers across generations.