An Invisible Thread--a Book Review

"An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break." -- Ancient Chinese Proverb

I am a member of a monthly book club and we try to read inspirational and thought provoking books. An Invisible Thread by Laura Shroff is all of that and more. I enjoy non-fiction books because real-life is so challenging--the outcomes are not always happy endings. One can read this book through the eyes of Maurice, through the eyes of Laura or through the eyes of well-meaning friends.

Image Credit: Courtesy the Rachel Ray Show

I was hooked from the first few pages of the book. I especially liked that Laura took Maurice to dinner that first day. I don't live in New York, but it would be hard where I live to take someone out to eat. Even though Maurice never thought he would see her again, Laura was committed from the start, to be a consistent presence in this young boy's life. I loved that the book told about how difficult this relationship was from the start. Even in this day and age, a relationship between two people of different cultures, ages and experiences is so hard to maintain. Laura and Maurice barely talked the same language! Laura taught Maurice how to set a table, without talking down to him!

Over the next few years, Laura and Maurice have dinner together. Sometimes these dinners were the only food Maurice would receive for days. Laura never tries to be Maurice's mother or fix Maurice. She just does what she can. The book goes back and forth explaining Maurice's home situation and Laura's sometimes difficult childhood. The honesty is refreshing and revealing.