Brave Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde is a book that will take the reader by surprise. This dual narrative book is one that digs deep into the issues of homelessness and really gives the reader pause. The characters are also quite interesting in this well-written contemporary.
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
Also by this author: Have You Seen Luis Velez?
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genres: Adult Fiction, Contemporary
Publication Date: May 19, 2020
Rating:
Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother, and holding tight to the one thing that matters most: her two-year-old daughter, Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke’s life is shattered when she’s carjacked. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night.
Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness. Thrown away by her parents, and with a future as stable as the wooden crate she calls home, Molly survives day to day by her wits. As unpredictable as her life is, she’s stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm’s way to protect a child as lost as she is.
Out of one terrible moment, Brooke’s and Molly’s desperate paths converge and an unlikely friendship across generations and circumstances is formed. With it, Brooke and Molly will come to discover that what’s lost—and what’s found—can change in a heartbeat.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: Brave Girl, Quiet Girl
At first, this book seems as though it is going to be a thriller, as it starts off with a carjacking and a desperate search for Brooke’s daughter. However, after things begin with a bang, the story settles into a tale of two women in search of themselves. It is a really enjoyable novel that will make you think about the world around you.
❀ Likeable and Interesting Characters
Both Brooke and Molly are characters that are likeable and interesting to read about. I found the descriptions of Molly’s living conditions riveting and something that I have never come across before in a novel. The concept of being homeless is explored in great depth, including the struggle to find food, shelter, and a sense of community while living on the street.
❀ An Educational Aspect
I have come to expect that a Catherine Ryan Hyde novel will push my reading into a zone that makes me a bit uncomfortable so that I can discover another way of life. Her writing is so wonderful and vivid that the reality of homelessness is seen through a new lens. I was both terrified and angry as Molly is judged and mistreated throughout the book. There is always an educational aspect such as this in the author’s novels.
❀ A Must-Read
Brave, Girl, Quiet Girl by Catherine Ryan Hyde is one to try if you are looking for a read that will cause you to stop and think. The story is intriguing and the characters are interesting. A must-read for fans of the author’s previous works.
About Catherine Ryan Hyde
I am the author of more than 30 published and forthcoming books.
I'm an avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, and have released my first book of photos, 365 DAYS OF GRATITUDE: PHOTOS FROM A BEAUTIFUL WORLD.
I am co-author, with fellow author and publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of HOW TO BE A WRITER IN THE E-AGE: A SELF-HELP GUIDE.
My novel PAY IT FORWARD was adapted into a major motion picture, chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than 23 languages for distribution in over 30 countries. The paperback was released in October 2000 by Pocket Books and quickly became a national bestseller. Simon & Schuster released PAY IT FORWARD: YOUNG READERS' EDITION in August of '14. It is suitable for kids as young as eight. A special Fifteenth Anniversary Edition of the original PAY IT FORWARD was released in December of '14.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.