REVIEW: A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kirsten Mei Chase

A Thousand Miles to Graceland by Kirsten Mei Chase: Desperately wanting to find a way to avoid her mother’s 70th birthday, Grace’s husband gives her little option when he delivers the king hit via marriage counselling – that he’s met someone else and he’s taking his glass-half-full attitude with him.

Swept up in a current of self-reckoning, Grace relents and tells her mamma that she will go on her 70th birthday Elvis trip and flies from Boston to begin the journey. Little did she know however that the trip her mama planned was a bucket list adventure of sorts and as Grace comes to terms with her mother’s failing health, she also unpacks the childhood trauma’s that kept her away for so long.

Loaded to the brim with some hefty themes; terminal illness, domestic violence, alcoholism and the complexity of mother/daughter relationships, Grace’s character is built firmly on a foundation of mistrust, self-protection and a harsh pragmatism that sees her struggle to come to terms with her own childhood. Throughout the thousand miles travelled with mama Loralynn, the powerful currents of forgiveness overwhelm her.

On the way of course, she is also reminded of happier times, particularly those that included childhood friend Wyatt, who did his childhood best to shield and protect her from her own reality. And given both of their mothers are long time bet friends, reconnecting with him helps to open her heart and find humour in the absurdity of Loralynn’s dress choices and Elvis obsessions.

From beginning to end, this was a complex read that metered humour and tragedy effectively, and certainly hammered home how important it is to find ways to understand one another, and at times, forgive one another for the various traumas caused. Second to this was also the mother-daughter dynamic in itself – entirely relatable and underpinned by love despite the battering Grace and Loralynn’s relationship had suffered.

Evident though, was also the strong sense that Grace deserved to be loved rather than have that brand of toxic positivity that invariably fails to acknowledge the weight of the baggage carried daily. Indeed this served to remind us that all great relationships are built on empathy and the ability to lean on each other when circumstance has rendered us crippled. For those who love complex mother/daughter relationships, with equally complex character motivations, this is a great read, and I highly recommend.

Book Info:

Publication: 24th January 2023 | Forever |

Grace Johnson can’t escape the feeling that her life is on autopilot—until her husband announces he’s done with their marriage. Grace has a choice: wallow in humiliation . . . or reluctantly grant her outlandish mother’s seventieth birthday wish with a road trip Graceland. Buckle up, Elvis. We’re on our way.

Now the two are hightailing it from El Paso to Memphis, leaving a trail of sequins, false eyelashes, and difficult memories in their wake. Between spontaneous roadside stops to psychics, wig mishaps, and familiar passive-aggressive zingers, Grace is starting to better understand her Elvis-obsessed mama and their own fragile connection. She may even have another shot at love. Apparently the King really does work in mysterious ways. But after all these years, will it ever be possible for Grace and her mom to heal the hurts of the past?