Armistead’s debut might oversell its Thoreauvian connections, but the core story of an amnesiac boy and his quest for identity stands on its own. When “Henry David” wakes up in Penn Station, he has no clue who he is; since his only possession is a copy of Walden, he takes the author’s name as his own. After falling in with a pair of homeless teens who nickname him Hank and being threatened by a crime boss, the 17-year-old decides he’s safer outside the city and heads to Concord, Mass., to see if Thoreau’s life can offer him answers. There, he meets an attractive high schooler named Hailey and a heavily tattooed librarian named Thomas, both of whom help Hank as his memories slowly come back. Armistead can go over the top at times—her New York City is almost cartoonishly violent and one-dimensional—but Hank’s personal tragedies are touching, as are his interactions with everyone from street kids Jack and Nessa to the more sedate citizens of Concord. His quests for answers and redemption should easily engage readers. Ages 13–up. (Mar.)
Seventeen-year-old “Hank” has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything -who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or “Hank” and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of-Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.
Cover used with permission of Albert Whitman & Company. Design by Nick Tiemersma. Cover images courtesy of Veer.
Seventeen-year-old “Hank” has found himself at Penn Station in New York City with no memory of anything -who he is, where he came from, why he's running away. His only possession is a worn copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau. And so he becomes Henry David-or “Hank” and takes first to the streets, and then to the only destination he can think of-Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts. The only way Hank can discover his present is to face up to the realities of his grievous memories. He must come to terms with the tragedy of his past, to stop running, and to find his way home.
Cover used with permission of Albert Whitman & Company. Design by Nick Tiemersma. Cover images courtesy of Veer.
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Being Henry David
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Being Henry David
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Product Details
BN ID: | 2940178889534 |
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Publisher: | Old Stoney Brook Publishing |
Publication date: | 05/27/2019 |
Edition description: | Unabridged |
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