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522 reviews for:
Immer montags beste Freunde: Der Junge, der mein Leben veränderte
Alex Tresniowski, Marie Rahn, Laura Schroff
3.83 AVERAGE
522 reviews for:
Immer montags beste Freunde: Der Junge, der mein Leben veränderte
Alex Tresniowski, Marie Rahn, Laura Schroff
3.83 AVERAGE
A memoir from the point of view of the "busy sales executive" was apparently on the New York Times best seller list a while back. It wasn't a beautifully written book, but the story was interesting and it didn't fall into the trap that so many memoirs do of the "it's all about me" syndrome. Which I get - it's a memoir; of course it's all about them, but I don't know how else to describe the nauseating self-centeredness. This busy sales executive, Laura Schroff, does a fairly good job of sticking to the story, giving us the necessary personal background and interpretations, without being self-indulgent. I've heard complaints that she compares her difficult up-bringing with that of Maurice's (the panhandler), but I'm confused as to why that is a complaint. She's explaining how she identified with him. It's not a contest. She acknowledges over and over again how difficult Maurice's life is.
The reason I think this book is an important read is because it gives some insight into two things. First it gives a brief, tiny glimpse into what life is like for countless children. I know we, as a country, spend a lot of time criticizing the poor and the drug addicted, but what about the children born into that poverty and addiction? How about for just a second we acknowledge their strength and resourcefulness for surviving. And look squarely in the face of their situation and acknowledge and that changing their situation isn't just an uphill battle; it's an all-out war with almost no one on their side. Secondly, it shows what an impact a small act of kindness can have. Laura tells us again and again that even though Maurice tells her how much her kindness mattered to him she believes it mattered just as much to her. It effected them both in a positive manner. Maybe Maurice would have survived anyway; maybe he would have found food another way; maybe he would have stayed out of trouble regardless; maybe he would have been a good father no matter what. But who knows? And either way, the kindness mattered.
The reason I think this book is an important read is because it gives some insight into two things. First it gives a brief, tiny glimpse into what life is like for countless children. I know we, as a country, spend a lot of time criticizing the poor and the drug addicted, but what about the children born into that poverty and addiction? How about for just a second we acknowledge their strength and resourcefulness for surviving. And look squarely in the face of their situation and acknowledge and that changing their situation isn't just an uphill battle; it's an all-out war with almost no one on their side. Secondly, it shows what an impact a small act of kindness can have. Laura tells us again and again that even though Maurice tells her how much her kindness mattered to him she believes it mattered just as much to her. It effected them both in a positive manner. Maybe Maurice would have survived anyway; maybe he would have found food another way; maybe he would have stayed out of trouble regardless; maybe he would have been a good father no matter what. But who knows? And either way, the kindness mattered.
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
This book will make you believe that there is still good and kind people in the world. A wonderful and inspiring journey shared by two unlikely friends.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use
challenging
emotional
reflective
I was very troubled by this book. What I expected: a story of how a woman worked to build up and save a street kid's life. What I felt I received: a self-serving tome about how great a person Laura Schroff is.
Most of the book is about her, her life, her feelings, her thoughts, her place in the relationship. Schroff reveals a horrific childhood, and it is important for us to understand how that has affected her, and how she has had to work to endure it. But, the book starts out with the relationship between her and Maurice, his life, etc. And then it suddenly switches into a memoir about Schroff.
A lot of the time I felt as if she was using Maurice for her own personal feel good ends. Basically keeping him at arms' length, all the while knowing what his existence was like. Crack head drug dealing mom, a posse of drug dealing uncles, unspeakable living conditions. Schroff controlled the situation so she didn't have to deal with it. It was all about her is how I felt while listening to this book.
At the end, Schroff prints a letter Maurice wrote to her years later as an adult. Clearly, he loves, admires, adores her and explicitly says she saved his life. It was uncomfortable listening to this letter being read. Were I Schroff, I could not have included that letter - it is way too personal. It felt exploitative to have it included.
Because here is something she did: She totally capitulated when her second husband refused to have Maurice over for Christmas. I was floored. If this kid meant that much to her, why would she do that? Schroff states she wanted to have him come live with her and her new husband. Why didn't she discuss this with him before they got married? Why did they never discuss children before marriage, which was another issue that surfaced?
I am glad that Maurice survived his childhood. From the sounds of it, he is making his way in the world and has built a good family with his wife. But no one is acknowledging the fact that luck played a big part in this. Schroff left him to survive on his own, and he could have been killed easily in his environment. Why did she not pursue any avenue of custody if she cared so much? From what she wrote, I think his grandmother would have been open to it.
So in the end, I was very troubled by this book that was supposed to be a feel good story, but for me was not. I kept remembering the social worker/teacher who warned Schroff not to abandon him, but abandon and betray him she did. Just like his mother and his family, but Schroff at least new better and could have done better.
Most of the book is about her, her life, her feelings, her thoughts, her place in the relationship. Schroff reveals a horrific childhood, and it is important for us to understand how that has affected her, and how she has had to work to endure it. But, the book starts out with the relationship between her and Maurice, his life, etc. And then it suddenly switches into a memoir about Schroff.
A lot of the time I felt as if she was using Maurice for her own personal feel good ends. Basically keeping him at arms' length, all the while knowing what his existence was like. Crack head drug dealing mom, a posse of drug dealing uncles, unspeakable living conditions. Schroff controlled the situation so she didn't have to deal with it. It was all about her is how I felt while listening to this book.
At the end, Schroff prints a letter Maurice wrote to her years later as an adult. Clearly, he loves, admires, adores her and explicitly says she saved his life. It was uncomfortable listening to this letter being read. Were I Schroff, I could not have included that letter - it is way too personal. It felt exploitative to have it included.
Because here is something she did: She totally capitulated when her second husband refused to have Maurice over for Christmas. I was floored. If this kid meant that much to her, why would she do that? Schroff states she wanted to have him come live with her and her new husband. Why didn't she discuss this with him before they got married? Why did they never discuss children before marriage, which was another issue that surfaced?
I am glad that Maurice survived his childhood. From the sounds of it, he is making his way in the world and has built a good family with his wife. But no one is acknowledging the fact that luck played a big part in this. Schroff left him to survive on his own, and he could have been killed easily in his environment. Why did she not pursue any avenue of custody if she cared so much? From what she wrote, I think his grandmother would have been open to it.
So in the end, I was very troubled by this book that was supposed to be a feel good story, but for me was not. I kept remembering the social worker/teacher who warned Schroff not to abandon him, but abandon and betray him she did. Just like his mother and his family, but Schroff at least new better and could have done better.
The concept of the book is great- another story like "The Blind Side" that makes us realize that we need to do more and be better to those who are less unfortunate. The reason I didn't give it the best rating was that I wanted to hear more from Maurice. It almost seemed like someone telling the story so they can get a pat on the back. The pat on the back is deserved, but whatever happened to being humble and doing it without recognition?
This is a heartwarming, though at times tragic story, and I enjoyed reading about their experiences together. I found the story a little confusing at times when the author was reliving her own childhood, since it seemed to jump around a bit from early years, to later, then back to earlier. But overall I would recommend this book.
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced