Patrick
Guthrie's eight-year-old son needs a heart operation. Braden has an
enlarged heart – the same condition that caused the death of
Patrick's wife several years ago.
When
Patrick returns to his high school classroom after the Thanksgiving
vacation, he finds it empty. He and a few other teachers have been
let go due to budget cuts.
Patrick
is desperate. He has used up all of his financial reserves on his
son. And then the child protection agency representative is at his
door. He has just a few weeks to pay off the past due rent and
utilities and have proof of employment. Otherwise Braden will go to
the care of his rich father-in-law, a man who hates Patrick and is
probably behind the attempt to take Braden.
To
what lengths will Patrick go to make sure he can continue to care for
the son he loves so much?
What
a wonderful novel of parental love. Patrick is willing to make a
fool of himself on the streets of New York City in order to keep
custody of his son. He is willing to give of himself to others even
when he himself is in such a time of need.
One
theme in this novel is that of having a gift but then, because of
parental or social pressure, not using that gift. We also see that
lives can be changed when touched by the giving spirit of another.
There
is no overt Christianity in this book. There is no gospel message.
But there is the message of selfless giving and of lives being
changed because of it. Lovers of Shakespeare will be delighted by
the book, as will those who love Dickens' novella A Christmas
Carol.
Scott
Abbot is a recognized screen-writer. His credits include feature
adaptations earning an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Amy
Maude Swinton has a theater background. This is her first novel.
Howard Books (a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc.), 227 pages.
Publisher product page.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.
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