Comments (26)

An Invisible Thread

the True Story of An 11-year-old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and An Unlikely Meeting With Destiny
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May 23, 2020lianaherman rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I "read" the audiobook version and it was captivating. A beautiful story to listen to. I very much enjoyed the epilogue by Maurice himself at the end. I would love to hear Maurice tell the story of their decades long relationship.
May 21, 2020IndyPL_SarahL rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
This is a juvenile version of Schroff's "autobiography" told from the point of view of Maurice, the little boy she befriended while working in Manhattan. Although Schroff made a great, positive impact on Maurice's life, it's important to…
Apr 16, 2020kimdaang rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
One of the best books I've read so far. Laura is such a wonderful person for helping out the less fortunate--especially in NYC. The act of kindness Laura does for someone is jaw dropping. She does it without thinking about herself. It…
Mar 27, 2020
A lovely read. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to view pictures of the relationship as it grew and lives changed.
Mar 02, 2020ReadingAdviser_Lori rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
A woman passes by a young panhandler, and her gut instinct tells her to go back and help him. This is the story of Laura Schroff's decades-long relationship with the boy she stops to help.
Apr 29, 2017lilypad_1 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this narrative. I would love to learn about similar stories, I wonder if I have passed up similar opportunities to help someone. I think it opened my mind to other people's situations in life and reminds me not to be…
Apr 01, 2017Quietday rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
There was more to this book than I anticipated when I picked it up. I imagined something like a Chicken Soup for the Soul type story. This isn't a literary classic but the story has some real value. I think what really matters is that…
Mar 17, 2017MelatSCPL rated this title 1.5 out of 5 stars
Readers should remain highly sceptical of 'True Stories', especially when the author is his/her own protagonist. An INVISIBLE THREAD serves as an example as to why. Writing the book may have proved cathartic for Ms. Schroff, but reading…
Mar 09, 2017PinesandPrejudice rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
3.5 - This was an endearing story. I'll admit, I struggled with it. It's very similar to "The Blind Side" and some of the parts about her privilege and his lower class and their races bothered me. It was unsettling and I don't know if that…
bibliotechnocrat
Jun 10, 2015bibliotechnocrat rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
The Dickensian difference between the lives of the privileged white narrator and the panhandling kid provides some insight into the lives of the inner city poor. Laura, an advertising exec, is somehow drawn to this child, and begins to…
Nov 18, 2014d2013 rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Busy with her own agenda as a sales executive it was never in her plans to stop that day but something made her go back and by this act of kindness it changed her life and that of an 11 year old panhandler forever. A beautiful inspiring…
sweetpea43
Aug 01, 2014sweetpea43 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A good read - sometimes shocking in the content - but an honest portrayal of life in the streets and projects of New York.
Jul 15, 2014TheresaAJ rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
This nonfiction work reads like a novel which should promote an interesting discussion at the July Willa Cather Book Club. Although Laura Schroff and Maurice Mazyck come from different economic worlds, they share a common bond of abusive…
Feb 09, 2014
alelf sedoque alobob sbroe alsfo joosf! Book 11 formd olf! Sagastoan
bake1225
Sep 29, 2013
Would prefer hard copy over paperback.
Apr 07, 2013circlesquare rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book and these lives embody this quote: If we could look into each other's hearts and unique challenges each of us face, I think we would treat each other more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance and care." Marvin J…
Feb 13, 2013Dixiedog2 rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I agree with previous reviewers of this book; it is truly inspirational. Doctor-at-Bass! T. A.
Feb 02, 2013branch_reviews rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
The story starts with this simple question. “Excuse me, lady, do you have any spare change?” Laura, a busy Sales Executive in New York City, runs past an 11-year-old panhandler, Maurice, into the street. She stops suddenly - almost…
Jan 31, 2013mprimom rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
True story, the relationships between Maurice (homeless 11 years old) and Laura (successful sales rep) is exceptional. If I can recommend only one book our of all the books I've read in my lifetime-this would be it! I LEARNED from this…
Jan 24, 2013dixiedog rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
I agree with previous reviewers of this book; it is truly inspiring. It certainly points out how we all can get so wrapped up in our own lives that we can fail to see how a little bit of kindness can go a long way in changing another…
Aug 19, 2012nitwitty rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
this book makes you feel good and gives you hope that circumstances don't have to dictate outcomes--the worst of conditions can be redeemed and beauty can come from ashes
Mar 12, 2012ownedbydoxies rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Wow. What a wonderful, uplifting and illuminating book about two people finding each other against all odds. Very highly recommended.
MildredNieves
Jan 19, 2012MildredNieves rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This story is very inspirational, I highly recommend everyone read it.
janie884
Jan 12, 2012
Great story...very inspirational. It caught me from page one to the last page. Makes you stop and think about those interruptions in your life and how we often pass them up with our busyness. Highly recommended read.
Dec 20, 2011
I just finished this book and it was a wonderful read. It made me really think of how little it takes to make a difference in someone else's life. Strongly recommend this to everyone!