Anthony
by Harold J. Fischel
Publisher: Harold J. Fischel (April 3, 2014)
Category: New Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction
Tour Date: May/June, 2015
Available in: Print & ebook, 309 Pages
My Review
Compelling. That’s the word I’m looking for. This story is compelling.
There isn’t a lot of action, no weird plots. It’s a story about a boy and the events that make him a man.
A shy, somewhat pudgy young boy, Anthony discovers swimming and as his body matures, he grows into a strapping young man.
During those years, he faces many adversities, suffers a tragic loss, and is involved in a taboo affair. The shadows of his past follow him as he goes off to college. There he makes friends, finds his path, and falls in love.
But the past catches up to him. Now he could lose everything. Perhaps love can save him.
This is another of those stories I call life fiction. From boy to man, you follow this character. Feel his insecurities and doubts. His sadness and pain. His hope.
I mentioned compelling. I opened this book, started reading, and the writing compelled me to continue. I read a chapter, then another, and another. Soon, I reached the end. It read almost like a movie. Flashing from scene to scene through the years as Anthony grew up.
A wonderful story.
4 Stars
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Synopsis
Life has never been easy for Anthony, the secret love child of a well-known US general and his beautiful mistress. After his father perishes in a plane crash, his cancer-stricken mother, Yuni, is forced to move with him to a tiny New York City apartment. And to make matters worse, he’s flagged as an easy target for neighborhood bullies, who constantly terrorize him inside and outside of school.
But after a brutal attack prompts him to fight back in a fit of rage, things start to turn around for the young boy. He shows promise joining the swim and wrestling teams in school, and begins to grow into the tall and physically fit body he inherited from his father.
Just when Anthony’s situation seems to be getting better, however, tragedy strikes his life yet again. In order to put the pieces back together, he turns to some of the strong female figures in his life. But it’s the one girl whom he least expects who may have the power to heal him—shedding his image as the illegitimate son through the magic of love and helping him leave his tragic childhood behind.
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Praise for Anthony by Harold J. Fischel:
“It’s not often that I find a book that truly moves me, but Anthony may have just been it. Anthony is so real…such a realistic and poignant character. He is bitter, confused, sad, angry, and while his experience is not necessarily the norm of a typical young adult, you can easily relate to him. What a transformation. Anthony goes from a scared and weak child to a fierce, understanding, and competent young man. Fischel writes with skill and craftsmanship that is a joy to read. I would read anything else he has to offer in a heartbeat.”- Katelyn Hensel, Readers’ Favorite
“The young boy, Anthony, captures your heart in the first few chapters, and you will want to continue with him through his happy, frightening, joyful, daunting journey toward manhood. A good read from start to finish.” J. Herrick, Amazon Reviewer
“New Adult, Coming of Age, Contemporary Fiction’s coming of age story, Anthony, is inspiring and heartwarming. Fischel’s writing style is accomplished and smooth, and I quickly became immersed in this athletic and ethical story of triumph over adversity. Anthony is a marvelous book and is highly recommended reading.”- Jack Magnus, Readers’ Favorite
“Loved the story line, could not put it down. Although it is listed as a novel, it is sad to think this is reality for some kids.”- Donna Connely, Amazon Reviewer
“Anthony by Harold J. Fischel is a wonderful coming of age novel. I loved the story of Anthony,… I welcomed all the surprises and I loved all the characters. Anthony was resilient and strong, even when he was still a kid. Everything he experienced growing up only made him stronger, some of the things that happened to him even made me cry. All the supporting characters also played big roles in Anthony’s success. Overall, a good book with great characters.”- Lorena Sanqui, Readers’ Favorite
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About Harold J. Fischel
Harold J. Fischel, a graduate of Washington & Lee University and the NYU School of Law, has lived and worked on four different continents. His family fled the Netherlands shortly after the Nazi invasion, moving to Curacao and Aruba before settling in the United States in 1952.
After law school, Fischel served the US Army in Germany, later retiring as a captain. Since then, he again lived in the Netherlands, before returning to the United States to work for the US subsidiary of a Chinese company.
Fischel is now retired and living in Michigan with his wife, Jan, and their beloved Labrador retriever. He has two daughters, five wonderful grandchildren, and two great sons-in-law. Since retiring, he has published two novels and is working on a third.
Buy Anthony by Harold J. Fischel
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I have one copy of Anthony to giveaway. Winners choice of eBook or Print.
Print copy is US only.
To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:
“If you could go back and live your life over, would you?”
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