“There are some things you can't outrun.”
— Isabelle reflects on the past and the enduring impact of certain events.
Archivist's Choice
Calling Me Home
Julie Kibler (2013)
Genre
Historical Fiction / Romance
Reading Time
6-7 hours
Key Themes
See below
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A modern road trip uncovers a forbidden 1930s love story between a white debutante and a Black aspiring doctor, showing how the past can guide an unlikely friendship.
Synopsis
Eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle McAllister asks her hairdresser, Dorrie Curtis, a Black single mom in her thirties, to drive her from Texas to a funeral in Cincinnati. Dorrie, dealing with her own problems, agrees, curious about Isabelle's quietness. As they travel, Isabelle slowly tells the story of her youth in 1930s Kentucky. She recounts falling in love with Robert Prewitt, the Black son of her family's housekeeper, in a town where interracial relationships were forbidden. Their secret romance grows despite prejudice, leading to a tragic event and a forced separation that shapes Isabelle's life. Meanwhile, Dorrie thinks about her own relationship challenges and her son's choices, finding lessons in Isabelle's story. The trip ends in Cincinnati, where Isabelle confronts her past at the funeral, and both women find healing, their friendship deepened by shared vulnerabilities and an understanding of love and strength.
Reading time
6-7 hours
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Heartwarming, Reflective, Poignant, Romantic
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy dual-timeline narratives exploring themes of forbidden love, racial prejudice, and unlikely friendships.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fast-paced thrillers or stories without significant emotional depth.
Plot Summary
The Unexpected Request
Eighty-nine-year-old Isabelle McAllister, a regular client at Dorrie Curtis's salon in Arlington, Texas, makes an unusual request. She asks Dorrie, a single Black mother in her thirties, to drive her immediately to Cincinnati, Ohio, for a funeral. Isabelle is vague about the details, not explaining the sudden trip or who died. Dorrie, dealing with her own problems, including a new relationship with Otis and worries about her teenage son Marcus's behavior, first hesitates but agrees, curious about Isabelle's urgency and the mystery.
On the Road: First Confessions
As Dorrie and Isabelle begin their long drive from Texas to Ohio, Isabelle slowly starts to talk about her past. She speaks in hints, revealing that the funeral is for someone very important to her, someone she loved deeply. Dorrie, a practical and understanding woman, listens patiently, sensing a significant story. Isabelle's reluctance to share everything at once adds to the suspense, making Dorrie more determined to understand the older woman's reasons and the secrets she has kept for decades.
Kentucky, 1930s: A Young Isabelle
Isabelle's story takes the reader back to the 1930s in Prospect, Kentucky, where she grew up as a spirited young white woman. She describes her family's comfortable but strict life and the clear racial segregation of the time. The Prewitt family, who are Black, work for Isabelle's family: Lily Prewitt as the housekeeper and her son, Robert, as a handyman. Despite social barriers, a quiet connection forms between young Isabelle and Robert, setting the stage for a forbidden relationship.
The Blossoming of Forbidden Love
As Isabelle's past unfolds, she describes how her friendship with Robert Prewitt, who wants to become a doctor, grew into a passionate and dangerous romance. They met in secret, stealing moments away from their segregated community. Their love defied Jim Crow laws and social norms in Prospect, Kentucky, where interracial relationships were taboo and could cause extreme violence. Isabelle remembers the intensity of their bond and the constant fear of discovery.
Whispers and Warnings
The secret nature of Isabelle and Robert's relationship becomes harder to maintain. Whispers and rumors start in Prospect, Kentucky, and the couple faces growing threats. Isabelle's family, especially her strict father, becomes suspicious. The racial tensions of the 1930s meant their love put both of them in danger, particularly Robert. Isabelle recounts the constant anxiety, the feeling of being watched, and the knowledge that their happiness could be destroyed at any moment by the prejudiced society.
The Tragic Confrontation
The inevitable happens: Isabelle and Robert's relationship is discovered. Isabelle recounts the details of the confrontation, which involves her father and other townsmen. The scene is full of violence and racial hatred, ending in a brutal attack on Robert. Isabelle is forced to witness the devastating results of their forbidden love, an event that scars her emotionally and changes her life forever. The raw pain of this memory is clear as Isabelle shares it with Dorrie.
A Forced Separation and Its Aftermath
After the brutal attack, Isabelle is forcibly separated from Robert. Her family, to protect her and their reputation, sends her away from Prospect, Kentucky, ending any chance of her being with Robert. Isabelle describes the deep grief and heartbreak of this separation, the unanswered questions about Robert's fate, and the guilt she carried for decades. This period marks a turning point in her life, shaping her into the guarded woman Dorrie knows, forever haunted by the love she lost.
Dorrie's Own Struggles and Reflections
As Isabelle shares her painful past, Dorrie thinks about her own life and choices. Her concerns about her son, Marcus, and his irresponsible behavior, as well as her new relationship with Otis, gain new meaning. Isabelle's story of forbidden love, sacrifice, and lasting connection makes Dorrie re-evaluate what truly matters. She starts to see parallels between Isabelle's fight for love and her own struggles to navigate life, family, and relationships in a different, but still complicated, world.
The Destination: Cincinnati
Finally, Dorrie and Isabelle arrive in Cincinnati, Ohio. The true reason for their journey is revealed: the funeral is for Robert Prewitt. Isabelle has carried the weight of his memory and the wish to pay her respects for decades. The funeral marks the end of Isabelle's long-held grief and the physical expression of her lasting love. Dorrie, now understanding the depth of Isabelle's journey, stands by her side, offering quiet support as Isabelle prepares to say goodbye to the man she loved.
A Final Farewell and a New Beginning
At Robert Prewitt's funeral, Isabelle finds some closure, finally able to mourn and honor the love of her life. She meets members of Robert's family, some of whom remember her, bringing a bittersweet peace. For Dorrie, witnessing Isabelle's journey and understanding her past provides a powerful lesson. She returns to her own life in Arlington, Texas, with a new sense of purpose, a deeper appreciation for love and sacrifice, and a clearer view on how to manage her relationships with Marcus and Otis, inspired by Isabelle's strength.
Principal Figures
Isabelle McAllister
The Protagonist
Isabelle moves from being a woman silently burdened by her past to one who finds peace and closure by sharing her story and attending Robert's funeral.
Dorrie Curtis
The Protagonist
Dorrie begins as someone overwhelmed by her own problems and evolves into a woman with renewed purpose and clarity, inspired by Isabelle's enduring love story.
Robert Prewitt
The Supporting/Central to Isabelle's backstory
His arc is primarily relayed through Isabelle's memories, depicting his journey from a hopeful young man to a victim of racial prejudice, whose memory ultimately brings closure to Isabelle.
Marcus Curtis
The Supporting
His arc is subtle, showing gradual maturity as Dorrie gains perspective from Isabelle's story, allowing her to guide him more effectively.
Otis
The Supporting
His character primarily serves as a supportive anchor for Dorrie, representing her personal growth and potential for a healthy relationship.
Lily Prewitt
The Supporting
Her arc is seen through Isabelle's flashbacks, portraying her as a figure of quiet strength and maternal concern within a dangerous racial climate.
Isabelle's Father
The Antagonist (in flashbacks)
He serves as a static antagonist in Isabelle's flashbacks, representing the systemic racism and parental control that shaped her early life.
Themes & Insights
Forbidden Love and Sacrifice
The main theme is the strong, yet forbidden, love between Isabelle and Robert in 1930s segregated Kentucky. Their relationship goes against social norms and Jim Crow laws, leading to great sacrifice and tragic results. Isabelle's lifelong burden of this love, and her journey to honor Robert, shows that true love can last through time and social barriers, even when it demands huge sacrifices. The story highlights the devastating personal cost of racial prejudice on individual relationships, as seen in Isabelle and Robert's violent separation.
““Love, I’d learned, was a force that defied logic, a current that pulled you in directions you never thought you’d go.””
The Enduring Legacy of Racism
The novel shows the widespread and damaging nature of racism, both historically and its ongoing effects. The Jim Crow era in 1930s Kentucky, with its clear segregation and violence against Black people, sets the scene for Isabelle and Robert's tragic love. This historical context directly affects the characters' lives, leading to Robert's brutal attack and the lovers' forced separation. The theme also subtly touches on current racial dynamics through Dorrie's experiences as a Black woman in modern America, showing how the past still affects the present.
““The law was one thing, but the hearts of men… that was another entirely.””
Healing Through Storytelling and Connection
The journey by Isabelle and Dorrie shows the healing power of sharing one's story and the strength found in connections between generations. Isabelle's decades of silence about her past have burdened her, and only by telling Dorrie can she begin to process her grief and find closure. Dorrie, in turn, gains perspective and guidance for her own life by listening to Isabelle's experiences. Their growing friendship highlights how empathy and shared stories can bridge differences of race, age, and experience, offering comfort and understanding.
““Sometimes, the only way to move forward is to look back, and to share what you find there.””
Motherhood and Responsibility
Both Isabelle and Dorrie deal with motherhood and its responsibilities. Dorrie's main concerns involve raising her teenage son, Marcus, making good choices for him, and navigating her life as a single mother. Isabelle, though not a mother to Robert's child, makes choices influenced by social pressures and the wish to protect those she loves, even if it means deep personal loss. The theme explores the sacrifices mothers make and the strong desire to provide a better future for their children, or to protect them from harm, even if it causes heartache.
““A mother’s heart is a strange thing. It can break a thousand times and still keep beating for her children.””
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Dual Narrative/Framing Device
Alternates between modern-day road trip and historical flashbacks.
The novel employs a dual narrative structure, weaving together Dorrie and Isabelle's present-day road trip with Isabelle's flashbacks to her youth in 1930s Kentucky. The present-day journey acts as a framing device, allowing Isabelle to gradually unveil her past to Dorrie. This structure builds suspense and allows readers to simultaneously experience the emotional impact of Isabelle's story on Dorrie while delving into the historical context of the forbidden romance. It also highlights the continuity of certain themes across generations.
The Road Trip
A physical journey that mirrors an emotional and revelatory one.
The literal road trip from Arlington, Texas, to Cincinnati, Ohio, serves as a powerful metaphor for the emotional journey Isabelle undertakes as she confronts her past, and for Dorrie's journey of self-discovery and understanding. The confined space of the car forces the two women to interact intimately, fostering their bond and creating an environment conducive to storytelling and vulnerability. The changing landscapes parallel the unfolding narrative, with each mile bringing them closer to both a physical destination and emotional revelations.
The Funeral
The ultimate destination and catalyst for closure.
The funeral for Robert Prewitt acts as the central catalyst and ultimate destination for Isabelle's journey. It provides a concrete goal for the road trip, but its true significance lies in being the moment for Isabelle to finally achieve closure and honor the memory of her greatest love. The anticipation of the funeral builds throughout the novel, and its eventual occurrence allows Isabelle to confront her past head-on, releasing decades of pent-up grief and regret. It symbolizes a final act of devotion and a step towards healing.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“The past has a way of catching up to you, no matter how fast you run.”
— Similar to the above, this thought comes to Isabelle as she grapples with her history.
“Sometimes you have to let go of the life you planned to have, and accept the one that's waiting for you.”
— Isabelle's grandmother, Mildred, offers this wisdom, having lived a life of unexpected turns.
“Love isn't always fair, and it certainly isn't always easy.”
— A reflection on the complexities and challenges of romantic relationships in the story.
“Some stories are meant to be told, even if they hurt.”
— Isabelle realizes the importance of sharing her grandmother's difficult past.
“We all carry our pasts with us, like invisible luggage.”
— Isabelle's internal monologue about how personal history shapes individuals.
“It takes courage to love someone knowing that someday you might lose them.”
— A poignant thought regarding the vulnerability inherent in deep affection.
“Sometimes the greatest acts of love are the ones we never speak of.”
— Reflecting on unspoken sacrifices and quiet devotion within relationships.
“Family secrets have a way of festering if they're kept too long.”
— The narrative explores the destructive nature of hidden family histories.
“Home isn't a place, it's a feeling.”
— Isabelle's evolving understanding of what 'home' truly means to her.
“You can't change the past, but you can learn from it.”
— A recurring theme as characters confront their histories and strive for personal growth.
“The heart remembers what the mind tries to forget.”
— Isabelle muses on the enduring emotional impact of past events and relationships.
“Sometimes the greatest journeys are the ones we take to find ourselves.”
— Isabelle's personal journey throughout the book is one of self-discovery.
“Even the strongest walls can crumble when the truth comes knocking.”
— As long-held secrets are revealed, their impact on the characters is profound.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
The novel interweaves two timelines: the present-day road trip of Dorrie, a Black single mom, driving 89-year-old Isabelle, a white woman, from Texas to Ohio; and Isabelle's past in 1930s Kentucky, where she experienced a forbidden love with Robert Prewitt, the Black son of her family's housekeeper.
