Leaving Maggie Hope

by Anthony S. Abbott

Book Overview

This debut novel by an award-winning poet won the 2003 Novello Literary Award; Lee Smith calls it the most moving coming-of-age story I have read in many years. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0970897278
• ISBN13: 9780970897275
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Novello Festival Press
• Length: 177 Pages
• Weight: 1.26 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Loved it, but am very biased towards Dr. Abbott to begin ...

I really wish the whole world could know Dr. Abbott, the author of this book. He is this adorably handsome man with eyes that twinkle when he speaks and a laugh that can leave you smiling all afternoon. In his classes in college, I often had difficulty taking notes because I was so swept away by his expression of the English language. He is poetic in everything that he does, and this book is a great example of that. David Lear, the protagonist of this tale, who reminds me a great deal of what Dr. Abbott might have been like as a boy, is a fantastic character filled with so many demons yet able to conquer them all. Almost like a Harry-Potter-for-adults, Leaving Maggie Hope takes us through David's adolesence and leaves us warm with the hope of what will come for this extraodinary boy. What's even greater than the story, though, is the language that Dr. Abbott uses to tell his tale. It's simply breathtaking in places. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who marvels in the magic of putting words together in beautiful ways.

Charming & poignant coming-of-age story

In "Leaving Maggie Hope", David, the young protagonist, witnesses a fight between his mother and stepfather that changes the course of his life. Instead of growing up in the bosom of his comforting, albeit troubled family, David is sent to boarding school while his mother, stepfather, and sister disperse separately to New York City. He is troubled by a slight physical disability from his youth and "coping strategies" that set him apart from the other boys. As David negotiates through life in the rarefied environment of an East Coast boys' school, he learns that his is not the only family that is unraveling, and how to cultivate the assets that truly make him valuable as a friend and student. Under the surface of all his adjustments at school runs the distress caused by his mother's descent into alcoholism.David is a character that almost everyone can relate to. He is the butt of pranks as well as the perpetrator of them. He is very smart, but has to learn to strive for the real value of education, rather than for the purpose of accumulating accolades. This story is so beautifully written (the author is a poet) that experiencing the language is as rewarding as the culmination of David's story. Enjoy!

Charming & poignant coming-of-age story

In "Leaving Maggie Hope", David, the young protagonist, witnesses a fight between his mother and stepfather that changes the course of his life. Instead of growing up in the bosom of his comforting, albeit troubled family, David is sent to boarding school while his mother, stepfather, and sister disperse separately to New York City. He is troubled by a slight physical disability from his youth and "coping strategies" that set him apart from the other boys. As David negotiates through life in the rarefied environment of an East Coast boys' school, he learns that his is not the only family that is unraveling, and how to cultivate the assets that truly make him valuable as a friend and student. Under the surface of all his adjustments at school runs the distress caused by his mother's descent into alcoholism. David is a character that almost everyone can relate to. He is the butt of pranks as well as the perpetrator of them. He is very smart, but has to learn to strive for the real value of education, rather than for the purpose of accumulating accolades. This story is so beautifully written (the author is a poet) that experiencing the language is as rewarding as the culmination of David's story. Enjoy!

Engrossing story of youth and longing and finding our place

The story of this young man, and how he comes to terms with some unique circumstances, as well as those challenges univeral to us all, will pull you in from the very beginning. This is one of those "read the 1st chapter, and you're hooked" books. I wanted to curl up with a quilt and a good cup of coffee and just not put it down. You'll find your own favorite teacher, your own best friend, your own worst enemy and your own heart at the heart of this story. I want to cast the movie version, and have high hopes for a sequel!