An Invisible Thread

 Another book talk today. This time I’ll be discussing An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff. 

This is a non-fiction book, about a business woman in New York City developing a friendship with a disadvantaged pre teen begging for money on the street.  Maybe it is because I’m from New York and was growing up there at the same time this story was unfolding but it really hit home for me.  Many times walking in New York I have seen the people begging for money and just walked past them as Laura initially did.  The difference is that Laura stopped.  She turned around and she offered to take young Maurice to dinner.  

Maurice would later say that that one action saved his life but Laura would say it saved her life as well.  This book follows the friendship of Laura and Maurice across decades.  It delves into the heart and soul of what it was like growing up in New York City with drug addict parents.  The book also talks about Laura growing up on Long Island with an abusive father.  

At the heart, this book is about families.  The ones you are born into and the ones you make for yourself.  This is not just a feel-good book although there are plenty of those moments in the book.  This book tackles not only surviving family situations but situations that could damage the friendship of Laura and Maurice.  It is a stark look at reality and how we can use our differences to either divide or unite us.