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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
This is a super-fast read that will leave you not wanting to put the book down. Nathan gave me a refresher course in the importance of self-control and the power of loyalty and commitment, even in times when others may not deserve it; a reminder that you can’t control anyone’s actions or thoughts.
In reading some of the negative reviews, I can only laugh. The time period of this book starts in the 1960’s when traditional gender roles were still appreciated and prevalent. Even today, not every household requires that a woman work outside of her home, and some of the reviewers seem to find that appalling! My mother and grandmother both made breakfast every morning and a beautiful dinner every evening. They were happy to take great care of the needs of their family. I find myself amused that many of today’s women find stay-at-home mom’s oppressed and give them a negative connotation. (BTW: I work, but I have nothing but respect for women who do not work outside of their home!)
In reading some of the negative reviews, I can only laugh. The time period of this book starts in the 1960’s when traditional gender roles were still appreciated and prevalent. Even today, not every household requires that a woman work outside of her home, and some of the reviewers seem to find that appalling! My mother and grandmother both made breakfast every morning and a beautiful dinner every evening. They were happy to take great care of the needs of their family. I find myself amused that many of today’s women find stay-at-home mom’s oppressed and give them a negative connotation. (BTW: I work, but I have nothing but respect for women who do not work outside of their home!)
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When I Found You was a book that I didn’t think I would like. I’ve read several Catherine Ryan Hyde novels over the past few years, and felt the same at the completion of each. The author also wrote the novel which formed the basis for the movie Pay it Forward, and so far every book I’ve read of hers has a child as one of the main characters.
In this novel, the child is an abandoned hours-old baby found in the woods one morning by a duck hunter’s dog. The man takes the baby home to his childless wife, and wants to keep him, but family comes forward and claims the infant. The man, Nathan McCann, who found the baby, asks only that when the boy is older and has questions, they bring him back to meet him.
Nathan makes a habit of giving the boy a gift each year on his birthday, but stays out of his life until the day the boy (named Nathan after his rescuer) and his grandmother show up at the adult Nathan’s front door. The grandmother informs Nathan that little Nathan, now an unruly teen, is too much for her to handle and she is washing her hands of him.
Nathan opens his home and heart to the emotionally troubled boy, but young Nathan’s choice of actions has devastating consequences that threaten his chance at a happy home.
I almost put down the book fairly early because of young Nathan’s main interest: a sport that my father loved and I hate, and still manage to find no redeeming qualities in. I persisted, though, and ran into a quote in the book which made me glad I had stuck with it: “You can’t tell someone to pursue their dream only if it’s a good match for your own. “
It reminded me of why I read in the first place: to go places I’ve never been, live lives I will never live, experience love, exhilaration, heartbreak, and the totality of human existence through the filter of another lens.
So I stopped begrudging young Nathan his choice of dream, and started hoping he would achieve it.
The book touches on several themes. On the ways in which familial love does not have to involve shared genetics. In the values of perseverance and honesty. In realizing that there are multiple ways to fulfill one’s dreams.
I saw shades of Atticus Finch in Nathan McCann: “I have always felt,” Nathan said, “that the truth is simply the truth. And perhaps does not exist for us to bend and revise. Or even filter to suit the feelings of those we love and want to protect.”
Truth is, I’m glad I read this book. 4 out of 5 stars.
In this novel, the child is an abandoned hours-old baby found in the woods one morning by a duck hunter’s dog. The man takes the baby home to his childless wife, and wants to keep him, but family comes forward and claims the infant. The man, Nathan McCann, who found the baby, asks only that when the boy is older and has questions, they bring him back to meet him.
Nathan makes a habit of giving the boy a gift each year on his birthday, but stays out of his life until the day the boy (named Nathan after his rescuer) and his grandmother show up at the adult Nathan’s front door. The grandmother informs Nathan that little Nathan, now an unruly teen, is too much for her to handle and she is washing her hands of him.
Nathan opens his home and heart to the emotionally troubled boy, but young Nathan’s choice of actions has devastating consequences that threaten his chance at a happy home.
I almost put down the book fairly early because of young Nathan’s main interest: a sport that my father loved and I hate, and still manage to find no redeeming qualities in. I persisted, though, and ran into a quote in the book which made me glad I had stuck with it: “You can’t tell someone to pursue their dream only if it’s a good match for your own. “
It reminded me of why I read in the first place: to go places I’ve never been, live lives I will never live, experience love, exhilaration, heartbreak, and the totality of human existence through the filter of another lens.
So I stopped begrudging young Nathan his choice of dream, and started hoping he would achieve it.
The book touches on several themes. On the ways in which familial love does not have to involve shared genetics. In the values of perseverance and honesty. In realizing that there are multiple ways to fulfill one’s dreams.
I saw shades of Atticus Finch in Nathan McCann: “I have always felt,” Nathan said, “that the truth is simply the truth. And perhaps does not exist for us to bend and revise. Or even filter to suit the feelings of those we love and want to protect.”
Truth is, I’m glad I read this book. 4 out of 5 stars.
This book really focuses on the unconditional love that a parent has for their child...and this is special as this is his pseudo adopted child who really comes into his life as a surly and troubled teenager. Nathan's love echo's God's love for us- how He will not wash His hands of us. Precious book and did make me teary as Nathan gives his all for Nat.
After reading [b:Ask Him Why|25526969|Ask Him Why|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1439364297s/25526969.jpg|45313986], I learned that several more of the author's books were discounted on Amazon for the month of December. Added bonus, all of the discounted novels were about adoption, foster care, or something similar. Sign me up!
[b:When I Found You|6780660|When I Found You|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348391190s/6780660.jpg|6982184] is the story of a boy who's life is destined for trouble from the moment he's born. Abandoned in the woods in October, his life is spared when a hunter and his dog discover him. Years later, the young boy learns that his grandmother has been keeping the dreadful story of his start in life hidden from him. The lie and the sudden revelation of the truth sends him down a path of distrust and deliquency.
Young Nat's path to redemption is long and slow. In fact, it barely squeezes into the pages of this book! The real story is that of "the man who found him in the woods." The man who, when Nat's grandmother can no longer deal with his deliquent ways, takes him in and promises to never wash his hands of him. And that man keeps his promise.
Warning: There's a good bit of language in this book. A guy like Nat would have rough language in real life, and the author doesn't write around that fact.
[b:When I Found You|6780660|When I Found You|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1348391190s/6780660.jpg|6982184] is the story of a boy who's life is destined for trouble from the moment he's born. Abandoned in the woods in October, his life is spared when a hunter and his dog discover him. Years later, the young boy learns that his grandmother has been keeping the dreadful story of his start in life hidden from him. The lie and the sudden revelation of the truth sends him down a path of distrust and deliquency.
Young Nat's path to redemption is long and slow. In fact, it barely squeezes into the pages of this book! The real story is that of "the man who found him in the woods." The man who, when Nat's grandmother can no longer deal with his deliquent ways, takes him in and promises to never wash his hands of him. And that man keeps his promise.
Warning: There's a good bit of language in this book. A guy like Nat would have rough language in real life, and the author doesn't write around that fact.
A simply written and profoundly moving book. It seems most appropriate to say it packs quite a punch.
A good read. at times couldn't put it down, just had to know how Nathan was going to handle Nat and hoping Nat would get his head on straight.