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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Beautiful book. I am rarely moved to tears by a book but this one brought tears to my eyes. Simple writing but well written nonetheless. I particularly enjoyed the development of Nat throughout the years, the realistic immaturity of his younger years and his eventual maturity. The older Nathan is an excellent example of unconditional love . Not a happy go lucky book or a fairy tale, but none of the over the top tragedies that make some books unbearably depressing to read.
Lovely
I was afraid at first that this would be another one of the found a baby books that seem to be around lately. This was beyond those. It was real. The characters were real people and the world was not either always rosy or always fraught with emotion. Nathan was someone that I would like to have in my life. Patient, thoughtful and wise. Thoroughly enjoyed this book
I was afraid at first that this would be another one of the found a baby books that seem to be around lately. This was beyond those. It was real. The characters were real people and the world was not either always rosy or always fraught with emotion. Nathan was someone that I would like to have in my life. Patient, thoughtful and wise. Thoroughly enjoyed this book
Nathan McCann is on his way to his duck hunting spot when his dog stops and wants Nathan to follow her. He notices a small package in the leaves. Upon closer inspection, he sees it is a newborn baby boy, who is very cold. Nathan rushes the child to the hospital and tells the doctor he wants to adopt the boy. However, the grandmother is awarded the child, but Nathan tells her he wants to know the boy, and she names him Nathan. The boy is in and out of trouble as he grows, and at her wit's end, the grandmother gives him to Nathan. Nat, the boy, gives Nathan trouble, but eventually, he grows to respect Nathan, as Nathan guides Nat through some difficult situations.
A beautiful story about the power of love and how a caring person makes all the difference.
A beautiful story about the power of love and how a caring person makes all the difference.
I get it. I really do. The take home message here is that unconditional love is a powerful thing. It gives confidence and drive and a sense of self worth. The infallibility of Nathan who does so was the best part of this book - albeit frustrating. Nathan finds an abandoned baby and proclaims that no matter what, he will always be there for that child - and he surely delivers over and over as the boy Nat grows up and makes mistakes like you wouldn't believe.
And perhaps that is the message. People fuck up. And there will come a time when those people will alienate their friends and family... or in Nathan's case, not. The author is supposedly known for her other book [b:Pay It Forward|215631|Pay It Forward|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388936719s/215631.jpg|766708] which promotes said powerful message - a tenet that is touched upon here. Nat finally redeems himself, finally gets it - but for me it was pretty much too little, too late.
And perhaps that is the message. People fuck up. And there will come a time when those people will alienate their friends and family... or in Nathan's case, not. The author is supposedly known for her other book [b:Pay It Forward|215631|Pay It Forward|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388936719s/215631.jpg|766708] which promotes said powerful message - a tenet that is touched upon here. Nat finally redeems himself, finally gets it - but for me it was pretty much too little, too late.
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved this book! I loved the main characters. It was well written and entertaining!
Nathan is in the woods early one October morning, heading out with his faithful dog to go duck hunting. Sadie bounds away from him and starts scratching at the leaves on the forest floor. Sadie is a good dog and this is totally unlike her, so Nathan goes to check out what she's found. It's a newborn, obviously abandoned to die in the woods. Nathan realizes the infant is actually still alive and rushes him to the hospital. He feels compelled to adopt the child, but a grandmother comes forward to take him in instead.
Fifteen years later, Nat (named for the man who found him) has become more trouble than his grandmother can handle. He just seems angry at the world. Nathan steps in to care for the teen, who is puzzled by this stranger who does so much for him.
I find Catherine Ryan Hyde's books refreshing in that they are ultimately about hope and the innate goodness we humans do have. There is some darkness in the story, but I love that she chooses to portray people at their best. And she does this without getting all sappy. I love me some hope; I gag over sugary sweetness.
Nat isa little a lot difficult to like for the most part. He is so angry and defensive. He has reason to be. Just look at his entrance to the world. But he just keeps lashing out, over and over again. Luckily, he does have a softer side, and it shows up just often enough that I didn't wash my hands of him. He's not someone who learns his lessons easily. He does everything the hardest way possible, making his own life more difficult than it has to be.
I loved Nathan. He's quiet and reserved and probably comes off as distant to most of his acquaintances. Being a quiet and reserved girl myself, I can relate. But he's just deeply good. Like Matthew Cuthbert good. He doesn't react blindly to any situation he finds himself or Nat in. He steps back, thinks for a little while, and then tries to find the best advice or course of action. He understands that everyone needs to get a fair chance, so he lets Nat start with a clean slate. And as long as Nat seems to be learning from his mistakes, he keeps caring for him, physically and emotionally.
The story did not go where I thought it would. At one point it seemed like a fairly predictable underdog story, but it went in a different direction completely. I was very pleased with it.
This is the part where I want to get into the "moral of the story as I see it," but that would get into some vague spoilers, so I won't go there. It's not anything preachy, but it is something that I think we all need to be reminded of from time to time.
I do recommend this if you're looking for a book that will give you some hope in humanity. I think we all need a little of that from time to time.
Thanks to the author for giving me a copy for review.
Fifteen years later, Nat (named for the man who found him) has become more trouble than his grandmother can handle. He just seems angry at the world. Nathan steps in to care for the teen, who is puzzled by this stranger who does so much for him.
I find Catherine Ryan Hyde's books refreshing in that they are ultimately about hope and the innate goodness we humans do have. There is some darkness in the story, but I love that she chooses to portray people at their best. And she does this without getting all sappy. I love me some hope; I gag over sugary sweetness.
Nat is
I loved Nathan. He's quiet and reserved and probably comes off as distant to most of his acquaintances. Being a quiet and reserved girl myself, I can relate. But he's just deeply good. Like Matthew Cuthbert good. He doesn't react blindly to any situation he finds himself or Nat in. He steps back, thinks for a little while, and then tries to find the best advice or course of action. He understands that everyone needs to get a fair chance, so he lets Nat start with a clean slate. And as long as Nat seems to be learning from his mistakes, he keeps caring for him, physically and emotionally.
The story did not go where I thought it would. At one point it seemed like a fairly predictable underdog story, but it went in a different direction completely. I was very pleased with it.
This is the part where I want to get into the "moral of the story as I see it," but that would get into some vague spoilers, so I won't go there. It's not anything preachy, but it is something that I think we all need to be reminded of from time to time.
I do recommend this if you're looking for a book that will give you some hope in humanity. I think we all need a little of that from time to time.
Thanks to the author for giving me a copy for review.
The beauty of this story can be summed in one line: "I will never wash my hands of you."
Nathan McCann will never forget this date October 2. It is the day that changed his life forever. Nathan and his dog, Sadie were preparing for their annual duck hunt. Sadie finds something other than a duck. She finds a baby. Nathan rushes the baby to the hospital. The baby lives. Nathan wants to adopt the baby but his grandparents step in. All Nathan asks is that some day the baby be told about Nathan.
Nathan gets his wish when Nat, who is named after Nathan is on the verge of being sent to juvie. His grandmother asks Nathan if he wants Nat. Nathan knows he is Nat’s last hope.
If you have not read this book or thought about reading it than don’t think anymore and pick up a copy of this book today. The bond that Nathan and Nat shared is just as strong as any father’s can be with his son, even if the father is not the biological one.
Which speaking of Nathan, he was very patient and loving towards Nat. Nat really pushed him to the limits in the beginning. However over the course of time, Nathan and Nat really grew and learned from each other. I got attached to both Nathan and Nat. Nathan especially from the beginning when he found baby Nat and instantly was fighting to adopt him. Even though I did not get very emotional reading this book I can tell you that if I had there might have been several tears shed.
Nathan gets his wish when Nat, who is named after Nathan is on the verge of being sent to juvie. His grandmother asks Nathan if he wants Nat. Nathan knows he is Nat’s last hope.
If you have not read this book or thought about reading it than don’t think anymore and pick up a copy of this book today. The bond that Nathan and Nat shared is just as strong as any father’s can be with his son, even if the father is not the biological one.
Which speaking of Nathan, he was very patient and loving towards Nat. Nat really pushed him to the limits in the beginning. However over the course of time, Nathan and Nat really grew and learned from each other. I got attached to both Nathan and Nat. Nathan especially from the beginning when he found baby Nat and instantly was fighting to adopt him. Even though I did not get very emotional reading this book I can tell you that if I had there might have been several tears shed.
I liked the storyline, and it had some twists that I did not expect. The prose was understated which dovetailed with the main character.