Three Stars

The first book I ever read by Catherine Ryan Hyde was "Stay" which hit me like a ton of bricks it was so great. Nothing I've read from her since then has measured up to that high bar. I thought I was in for a treat because this book began in 1965, an era I just love reading about. The lead character Anton is an eighteen year old easy to have a lot of compassion for. He lives in an apartment building with cold and uncaring parents. Just months ago he lost his right hand trying to stop his older brother from taking his life. As if this doesn't sound like enough tragedy, his parents decide to go off on a trip during the Christmas holidays, leaving Anton to fend for himself alone in the apartment. But before the parents walk out the door to catch their taxi, they insist that Anton open up his Christmas present. It's the big telescope he's been asking for.

After the parents leave Anton tries setting up the telescope on his balcony to test it out, but finds it difficult with his still healing right amputated hand. The scope abruptly swings down and focuses in on a room in the apartment across the street. To Anton's utter horror, he witnesses a beautiful young woman being assaulted by her husband. He calls the police, but still can't get the incident and the woman out of his mind. The next day he ventures into that apartment building, trying to locate which exact unit this young woman lives in. He pretends to be taking a survey, and he finds himself face to face with Edith, who is hiding a black eye with her long hair. On another day he follows her to a nearby sandwich shop and she joins him at table. It turns out that Edith is 33, 15 years older than Anton. They begin meeting for lunch at the shop every day. Anton tells Edith that if her husband ever hurts her again and she needs somewhere to escape, he will be there for her. It doesn't take very long for that to happen.

So when Edith shows up at his apartment door looking for refuge, Anton's savoring her presence. You see, Anton loves Edith. He will do anything to protect her and do what's best for her, even if it doesn't make him personally happy. Because that's what love is all about. He lets Edith sleep in his bedroom while he camps out on the living room couch, and they enjoy simple pleasures such as watching Groucho Marx movies, making popcorn, and playing monopoly. They have to hunker down in the apartment and not be seen by the abusive husband across the street. The parents are coming back from their vacation in two weeks, which is when Edith will leave and catch a train to parts unknown. She won't tell Anton where's she going to protect him...in case he ever has the misfortune to run into her ex-husband.

This is just the launch pad for the rest of the story, as it leaps to 15 years later and finally ends up in the year 2000. Unfortunately, the story lost its charm for me as it projected into the future. This book explores the boundaries of true love and society's view of an older woman being with a younger man.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s characters are so real in this story about a unlikely love match. When 18-year-old Anton discovers the neighbor in the apartment across the street from him abusing his wife he sets out to find a way to help her. Having been left alone over Christmas vacation by his egocentric parents, he offers her a place to stay. Edith is a lot older than Anton and leaves for a unknown destination. Anton is heartbroken. She really is the love of his life. Years later they met and are married. Character-driven this story leaves the reader with a warm fuzzy feeling about how caring for one another is so important. If there’s one message the book leaves with me, it is how I want to emulate the intelligence and love of Anton’s grandma Marion.

This was a sad and then became a joyous story of a young boy facing tremendous odds. He lost his brother and his hand in an accident, and the worst part of it all was that he had no emotional support or affection shown by his parents. His emotional support came from a grandmother and grand uncle who were wonderful to him and helped him all along the way.

Whilst being kept alone over Christmas, he observed through his telescope a scene of violent abuse in an apartment complex opposite his own. A chance encounter with the woman involved at a cafe in the neighbourhood, set off a series of events which led step by step to his own future.

It was an emotional story at every stage, it also showed how randomness affects our lives - in a way our karma or destiny seems foretold and decided by some force which is totally out of our control. In Anton's case this was very much so
His life was detailed in the story, ups and downs but mainly joyous once he was able to shake off his parents negative influence and ill will.

Anton was vulnerable and innocent but he had a strong sense of right and wrong and this with the support of his grand mother and great uncle saw him through.
This was a very emotional read throughout.

Anton has suffered multiple tragedies this past year, his 18th. When he is left alone by his parents over Christmas, he tests out his new telescope and sees a woman being abused in an apartment across the street. He feels compelled to help her break free of the abuse, and so starts a lifelong love story for Anton. He helps Edith get away from her abusive husband and unselfishly lets her go assuming he will never see her again.
I always look forward to reading Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories. She has a way with troubled characters that suck me into their world while she tells an extraordinary story about ordinary people rising above their circumstances. My Name is Anton is such a story and well worth the read.

I loved this book and what it stood for so much. This was my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book, so I was unsure what to expect from an author with over forty novels that I had yet to have the privilege of reading. While the beginning of the novel started out in a somewhat dark tone, the novel slowly unraveled piece by piece and turned in to one of the most beautiful stories I have read. This book does hit on heavy topics such as mental illness, depression, suicide, abuse but is done in a delicate way that makes you feel even more empathetic to the characters and their stories.

I would highly suggest that you pick up this novel if you want to read a book of tragedy that turns in to a story of hope and love. I cannot wait to pick up another novel by this author.

Big thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me to read a copy of this book!

Big sigh!! I should probably leave my review to just that! But...

This is my first book from the author, and I have heard some great things about her book, and I wanted to love this one, however, I couldn't buy into any part of this story.

I expected this to be an emotional read, but I didn't find the characters convincing enough to spark any emotion from me. Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers us a gut-wrenching punch with Anton's brother's tragic death that left Anton physically and emotionally wounded. This should have opened up some depth to Anton's characters and the dynamics within his family; however, it never went anywhere. It felt like more of a plot device to set up the romance to the story rather than developing an emotional pull to Anton.

Likeable and unlikeable characters are some of the most interesting parts of a story for me. There are likeable and unlikeable characters, but it felt like they were written to be just that. Boring!!! I think we were expected to like or dislike them, and I never understood their motivations or behavior.

I wish I had more positive things to say about this one, but I am struggling here with that.

The reader understands right away that this book is all about Anton with the title.

Eighteen year-old Anton lost his right hand. That's right. He lost in in the first chapter of this book in the winter of 1965 as he interferes with his brother committing suicide. There's nothing he can do about it but it affects his life going forward with relationships, depression and how he is able to manage emotionally and physically. His mother was very direct and insensitive to his feelings. His father was an observer. He was infatuated by a woman 15 years older than him and his uncle, a psychiatrist, tried to save him. But the best character of the book was his beloved grandmother who was positive, giving, and supportive in all sorts of ways.

The book brings us all sorts of questions such as why people stay in relationships with a person that is abusive. Why is the first love so heart breaking? Why do we almost always have regrets towards the end of our lives? And then, what if everything that happened in life was for the best? Questions like these makes the reader think about your own relationships...your own life.

While the book was slow at times and the characters weren't necessarily my favorite, However, I enjoyed reading this book and will look forward to others from this author. My thanks to the publisher and Netgallery for allowing me to read this copy.

I really liked Have You Seen Luis Velez by this author last year, so I was excited to see My Name Is Anton as a Read Now selection on netgalley. I needed "A book by the same author who wrote one of your best reads in 2019 or 2018" for week 45 of Around the Year in 52 Books challenge!

This is a sad, sweet story about Anton learning who he is and finding his happiness. He is influenced by his grandmother, who tells him that love is about doing what's best for someone else, even when it doesn't include you. He makes some very hard, selfless decisions.

This bordered on too sweet for me, but it was well-written and lovely to read, and worth reading for the descriptions of his perceptions and experiences after losing his hand in a tragic accident. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a digital review copy.

What a wonderful book! As the story begins we meet 18 year old Anton who, in the last year, has lost his beloved grandfather, and both his brother and his right hand in one tragic event. When he accidentally observes a neighbor being physically abused by her husband he knows he must do something. His actions lead him on a course that impacts the rest of his life.

Catherine Ryan Hyde’s work always has excellent character development, and this one is no exception. Occasionally I will read a book in which I just don’t much like the characters, but there are some really good people ( and a few lousy ones) in this book. The story takes you through 50+ years and tackles difficult issues without being overly depressing. It is an excellent book- I encourage you to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

3 stars.

After a devastating year which included the death of his younger brother and a life changing injury for himself, eighteen-year-old Anton is left alone for the Christmas holidays. Anton’s less-than-involved parents feel the need to getaway alone to repair their marriage after the family tragedy. Alone with his telescope on the balcony, Anton mistakenly witnesses something that he can’t ignore and forever changes his path in life.

This book has an extremely sad and somber feel to it. Anton is a lonely, vulnerable boy who lacks the proper support required to move through the devastation he faces. There are not many happy parts to this story and that weighed heavy on my overall reading experience.

The writing itself didn’t quite work for me for a couple reasons. The dialogue between Anton and the other main character felt unnatural from start to finish. I didn’t “buy into” what happened between them and therefore wasn’t feeling invested in the storyline. The pace was slow - the plot felt long and drawn out.

Overall, this was a unique and unforgettable story. Were there times that my heartstrings were pulled? Yes. However, it fell flat for me and lacked a true emotional connection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with an ARC!

My Name is Anton by Catherine Ryan Hyde
Wow!! Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way with words. She develops characters that you can immediately relate to and feel for. She is able to draw you into the story so smoothly that you don’t even realize that you have been immersed in the book for hours.
Parents make mistakes. They are not perfect. Tragedy and trauma unite in this coming of age story that is so touching. Anton is just eighteen when he meets Edith, fifteen years his senior, who is fleeing a bad situation. Edith realizes she must leave. Anton learns that true love is when you can say (and mean it): “What’s best for her, even if it doesn’t include me.”
When a chance meeting happens several years later, Anton and Edith are both now in different places in their lives. Can fate have finally given Anton what he has always dreamed of? Can the two of them finally acknowledge their feelings and live the life they had both dreamed of?
I cannot recommend this book enough. It is so poignant and touching. You will not be disappointed with this book.

Anthony (Anton) is 18 at the start of the book. His parents have left him home for the holidays while they go to South America. Anthony received a telescope for Christmas the morning his parents leave. While he is trying to use the telescope for the first time the telescope slips and Anthony has a view into the apartment across the way. He is shocked at what he sees and the story continues from that mistaken view. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you NetGalley and Catherine Ryan Hyde for the advanced copy of this book.

This was my first book by Catherine Ryan Hyde and it certainly won't be my last! I finished My Name is Anton in only three days - and I ready the first half in a single sitting! Both heavy, and heartwarming I was instantly drawn into the relationship between Anton and Edith. Their scenes in the diner were so innocent and simple - I was rooting for them from then on.
There were a lot of heavy subjects in the book, but I thought they were are tastefully addressed, while not downplaying their severity. I was so relieved that Anton finally got the mental help he needed to address his brothers death, and come to terms with how his parents were treating him. Mental health is no joke, and I was glad to see it presented in a way that didn't shame Anton, but rather was a necessary part of his healing journey.
Both Edith and Anton are complex characters, and their growth throughout the novel is evident. As odd as 15 year age gap may seem normally, it didn't feel off in this book. The two were destined to be together, and I enjoyed following their life together. Even with a tinge of sadness at the end, I was still left with a feel-good, cozy blanket feeling.

MY NAME IS ANTON by Catherine Ryan Hyde is another beautifully emotional read, combining love and selflessness in a story that spans decades. In December 1965, 18-year-old Anton is preparing to spend Christmas alone after a year of tragedy. In less than a year, he’s lost his beloved Grandfather, his brother, and leaving him traumatized. Not only do his parents seem to not deal with any of it, they decide to take off for South America on vacation instead of sticking around for Christmas. One night he witnesses man abusing a woman and is determined to help her. Edith isn’t quite sure what to make of this man fifteen years her junior, but a tentative friendship emerges and when Edith finally flees her husband, Anton is her only friend, and she comes to him for help.
As they hole up in his apartment, the two become closer and Anton falls deeper in love. He also has allies in his Grandmother Marion and Great Uncle Gregor who check on him and accept Edith as his friend, no questions asked. I adored his Grandmother as she reminds him that true love is unselfish in that he needs to remember what is best for Edith, even if that means letting her go. When she leaves, cutting ties completely, it is the straw that breaks his hold on his emotions and everything from the year comes crashing in. This is where Gregor takes a more active role and convinces Anton that it’s time for help. Anton has always hoped to see Edith again, but moves on with his life never hearing from her or even expecting to. When their paths cross unexpectedly, what will happen.
This was truly a heartwarming and emotional book. With everything that Anton went through, it’s amazing that he was the person he was and grew into. His parents were no prize and I had to agree with his Uncle when he told Anton to run. For most of his life, his Grandmother Marion and Uncle Gregor were the ones he could count on. They also helped him remember to be proud of who he was and who he was named after, his beloved Grandfather. Then there was Edith and the impact he made on her life and vice versa.
Ryan Hyde does not disappoint with this one. Full of wonderfully developed characters and an engaging storyline, MY NAME IS ANTON combines adversity, determination, and hope into a story not soon forgotten.
Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions are my own and freely given.
#mynameisanton #catherineryanhyde #lakeunionpublishing

My Name is Anton grabbed me from the first page and held my interest to the very last one. This book is basically a love story, but a relatively unusual one. It also touches on quite a number of serious subjects including domestic abuse, mental illness, suicide, alcohol abuse, and adoption. The theme of the book is summed up by Anton’s grandmother Marion, when she says: “Love is when you can make the following statement, and mean it: “What’s best for her, even if it doesn’t include me.”

Anton and Edith meet in what is the polar opposite of “meet cute” when he accidentally sees her being abused by her husband, via his new telescope. The story of their love (she is fifteen years his senior) and how he deals with his own tragedies form the heart of this wonderful book. Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I always enjoy books by this author and this is no exception. It's an unusual coming -of-age story, a love story, and a family story. Wonderful characters (I love Anton!) and a good, solid storyline. Happiness, sadness, unlikely but welcome happenings - - all wrapped up in a feel-good book.

Another winning book by author Hyde

Over the years I have read quite a few of author Hyde's books. She has become quite a favorite of mine. The first book I read of hers was PAY IT FORWARD, published in 1999. But, unusually for me, I didn't read it until AFTER seeing the movie of the same name in 2000. I was then hooked and, while I haven't read all of her books, I sure have enjoyed the ones I have read.

This is another heartwarming story that arouses all types of emotions throughout its pages - joy, sadness, empathy.

Anton is 18 years old when he first meets Edith, ultimately rescuing her from an abusive marriage. She is 15 years older than him but he loves her from the beginning.

I loved Anton's character in this story, a boy and then a man who is honest and giving. I loved his and Edith's stories, both separately and together.

So if you want to read a feel-good story with strong characters, I highly recommend this book.

I received this book from Lake Union Publishing through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review.

I have never read a book written by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I didn't enjoy and this is no exception! Anton suffers through many traumatic situations at a young age and gets support from his grandmother and great uncle. His parents cope with their grief in a very different way.

Along the way Anton meets Edith who is married to an abusive man. Even though Anton is only 18 and Edith is 15 years his senior he falls in love. He helps Edith to leave her husband and move away to save her although the thought of never seeing her again is heartbreaking.

Fifteen years go by and Now Anton is a lawyer and takes the train to Washington D.C. On business and runs into Edith on the way. They reconnect and th this is when the story really unfolds. I don't want to give anything else away so I will stop here.. I highly recommend this beautifully written book.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this incredible ARC.

Lots of social issues sympathetically written about but I wasn’t convinced with the relationships between the characters. Especially I couldn’t feel very empathetic towards Anton and Edith so that made the story quite flat.

First I want to say that this is not my usual type of book. I prefer a more action oriented, fun type of book. This falls more into the "literature" category and at the risk of sounding superficial, I don't usually read novels that make me think. I usually prefer the destination over the journey, and have been known to skip boring sections here and there..

The reason I am exposing my superficiality (I like to think of it as escapism), I need to emphasize how I read every single word of this book. It was certainly more of a slow burn than I am used to. But I couldn't get enough of these characters. I felt absorbed into their life and I could picture it all.

This book took place in the 60s to begin with. I could picture the whole world. When the author talked about making popcorn and how it went back and forth and back and forth on the burner of the stove, I could picture the jiffy pop. (one thing that did jar me was when one of the characters told the other to pick a movie on tv. I recall that we had 3 channels back then - what was he picking from??) I knew these people, and I felt their emotions along with them.

I read this book in a day, because I just had to know what happened next. It took me on a beautiful life journey and I loved it all.

I want to thank the author, the publisher and #netgalley for the ARC. This did not impact my review - as you can probably tell, I really loved this book.