Review: Anthony by Harold J. Fischel

Teddyrose@1

9 years ago

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

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.

My Thoughts on Anthony by Harold J. Fischel:

Anthony has not had an easy childhood. His mother, Yuni was mistress to his father. His father died and Yuni supported Anthony and herself with her pay as a super model. However, he was still quite young when she looses her leg to cancer and can no longer support them. Forced to move from the only home he ever had with Yuni, they move to the projects.

Anthony becomes a ripe target for bullies and must learn to navigate his new life. He knows if he tells his teacher he will just get bullied even more.

This book follows Anthony into college and then adulthood. He has many ups and downs along the way but he is a survivor. I can’t tell you any more because I don’t want to risk giving spoilers.

‘Anthony’ is a wonderful coming of age story about overcoming adversity. It is well written and has a wonderful cast of characters. It made me realize how lucky I have been to have my parents around for so long. At 83, my Mom is still here. At 51 I have come to realize that no matter what age, my parents are still guiding me and always will, even when my mother passes and both are gone. Though I don’t always agree with all the lessons they have taught, I am better for having had them. Anthony had some guiding forces as well.

Highly recommended! 5/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

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.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harold.fischel
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8112296.Harold_J_Fischel
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wellwaar