sandsing7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
Being Henry David is the story of "Hank", a runaway suffering from amnesia who finds solace in Walden by Henry David Thoreau. This novel tells the journey Hank goes through to learn of his real identity, about who he was and what he did that made him run away from his family. I was touched by the relationship Hank developed with the librarian/historian/researcher Thomas, who takes a pity on Hank and believed him to be a reincarnation of Thoreau. As Hank learns the truth about his identity and what he did in the past, he again finds wisdom in the words of Thoreau to gain the courage to face what lies ahead in his life. This novel was deeply moving and beautifully captured the pains of growing up with expectations from others. As an avid reader, I can relate to how Hank finds comfort in a book, and I enjoyed the way Hank reconciled his past with the wisdom he had gained from his experiences for his future. A brilliant, beautiful read.
mb101's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. I wanted to like it. I really did. I mean, a kid with amnesia? Sounds fascinating. But it turned out to be a bunch of people who sounded and acted the same basically. And Henry, aka Hank? Complete weirdo, and not because of him being without a memory, but because of how he latches onto each female he meets and how they just latch onto him. What bumped it down to 2 stars though was the ending. The last ten pages could have redeemed it, but it was rushed.
danireneewood's review
2.0
I know that expectation is the root of all heartache. I'll start by saying that. But I had such high expectations for this book, and unfortunately I finished it being extremely disappointed. I didn't feel Hank/Danny as deeply as I wanted to. I think I felt Thomas' character more than I felt Danny. The concept had so much promise. I feel like more could have been done.
jang's review against another edition
4.0
"Suck out the marrow of life" is a quote that is omnipresent in this book and fair enough, Being Henry David has enough marrow-sucking and Carpe Diem-esque narratives that will sure to make Thoreau smile.
I like the mystery right from the start because that's what engaged me to Hank's story. A young man waking up without any memory of his past life is a good bait and is enough to let me abandon some of my work responsibilities. I like the writing because it's direct and literal, exactly like how some guys perceive things (though too prudish tbh).
In a way this book reminds me of Into the Wild what with its themes of living off the grid, finding comfort in nature and veering away from materialism. It also helps that the main character is very likeable. Thankful that he didn't let go of the rock because my week has already been inundated with suicide-centered story lines. Grateful that Hank, or Danny, or Dan came to his senses and chose to live.
I like the mystery right from the start because that's what engaged me to Hank's story. A young man waking up without any memory of his past life is a good bait and is enough to let me abandon some of my work responsibilities. I like the writing because it's direct and literal, exactly like how some guys perceive things (though too prudish tbh).
In a way this book reminds me of Into the Wild what with its themes of living off the grid, finding comfort in nature and veering away from materialism. It also helps that the main character is very likeable. Thankful that he didn't let go of the rock because my week has already been inundated with suicide-centered story lines. Grateful that Hank, or Danny, or Dan came to his senses and chose to live.
huiranghae's review against another edition
3.0
This is a pretty good book. I like the conflicts Hank(Danny) has with his past and his feelings involved with the "accident" he and his sister were in. Cal Armistead writes realisticaly about Hank and his conflicts. The character development is pretty incredable and the relations of Hank and Henry are notable. All in all it's a well written and emotional story that has good plot and is creative in a unique way. Everything was good and I enjoyed it.
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review against another edition
5.0
Rating: 4.5
A 17-year-old wakes up in NYC with no memory of who he is or how he got there. All he has on him is ten dollars and a worn copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau... so he becomes "Hank". After some disturbing events take place on the streets of New York, Hank decides the book must be a clue and he heads to Concord (the site of Walden Pond). Once there he tries to blend in with the local high school kids, and even develops a crush on one of them... all the while he knows that the reason he can't remember anything about his former life is because of something bad. Something he did.
When his life on the streets starts catching up with him he comes across a man named Thomas who steps in to be a father-figure when Hank needs it the most. Thomas is a research librarian and a Thoreau expert, and he shows Hank the way to find out who he really is and how to gradually open up his mind to what really happened before he became "Hank".
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. What an awesome debut novel!! I was especially impressed by how smart and solid this book was. Thoreau was all about leaving society behind, living simply, and connecting with nature. His story really went with what Hank was going through. Hank's mind needed to clear itself and Concord was the the place he needed to go to do so, just like Thoreau.
I really appreciated reading a book from the male perspective. It's something I love when it's done right. What really intrigued me about Hank was how he just went with his instincts. When he first wakes up without memory, he just has this feeling that he can't go to the police. It leads him to believe that maybe he was in trouble with the law somehow. Then he's off to Concord to follow the clue of the book and from there he just goes with things.
The nod to Thoreau was just right for me. It wasn't a re-telling, Hank just looked to Walden for guidance and inspiration. The mystery of who Hank is and what was so horrible that his mind wouldn't let him remember had me hooked. I just HAD to know where he came from. I knew it was going to screw everything up that he had going in Concord, but I really wanted him to know. Even if he found out he was a bad person in his real life. It was cool getting to know and like someone who you really weren't sure what they were capable of. Were we going to find out that Hank was some kind of criminal? I wasn't sure, but I liked the duality of liking someone, but not knowing if I should.
I don't want to give away the ending or anything, but I just want to say that I loved it! It was really beautiful. The author didn't spell out everything that's going to happen in the future and normally I would be upset by that... but not in this case. It gave a nod to the closing line in Walden which ends at the dawn of a new day, and I took that as this was a new beginning for Hank, a new chapter. And I took it as hopeful. I like it when the author gives the reader credit that they can infer some things without everything just being there in black and white. But don't get me wrong, it is a delicate balance. I can't stand abrupt endings that give no inferences. This one is not like that.
The only thing I didn't love was that Hank has a few convo's with Thoreau's ghost that left me a little confused. Was that his mind just telling him he wasn't ready to remember? I wasn't really sure... but it was weird. And there's also this part where Hank finds out he knows how to play guitar and all of a sudden he starts using the word "rockin" a little too much for my taste!
Overall: Wow! A really great debut novel for Cal Armistead. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to go on an adventure and teens who are looking to find themselves. A super-cool refreshing contemporary YA.
My Blog:
A 17-year-old wakes up in NYC with no memory of who he is or how he got there. All he has on him is ten dollars and a worn copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau... so he becomes "Hank". After some disturbing events take place on the streets of New York, Hank decides the book must be a clue and he heads to Concord (the site of Walden Pond). Once there he tries to blend in with the local high school kids, and even develops a crush on one of them... all the while he knows that the reason he can't remember anything about his former life is because of something bad. Something he did.
When his life on the streets starts catching up with him he comes across a man named Thomas who steps in to be a father-figure when Hank needs it the most. Thomas is a research librarian and a Thoreau expert, and he shows Hank the way to find out who he really is and how to gradually open up his mind to what really happened before he became "Hank".
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. What an awesome debut novel!! I was especially impressed by how smart and solid this book was. Thoreau was all about leaving society behind, living simply, and connecting with nature. His story really went with what Hank was going through. Hank's mind needed to clear itself and Concord was the the place he needed to go to do so, just like Thoreau.
I really appreciated reading a book from the male perspective. It's something I love when it's done right. What really intrigued me about Hank was how he just went with his instincts. When he first wakes up without memory, he just has this feeling that he can't go to the police. It leads him to believe that maybe he was in trouble with the law somehow. Then he's off to Concord to follow the clue of the book and from there he just goes with things.
The nod to Thoreau was just right for me. It wasn't a re-telling, Hank just looked to Walden for guidance and inspiration. The mystery of who Hank is and what was so horrible that his mind wouldn't let him remember had me hooked. I just HAD to know where he came from. I knew it was going to screw everything up that he had going in Concord, but I really wanted him to know. Even if he found out he was a bad person in his real life. It was cool getting to know and like someone who you really weren't sure what they were capable of. Were we going to find out that Hank was some kind of criminal? I wasn't sure, but I liked the duality of liking someone, but not knowing if I should.
I don't want to give away the ending or anything, but I just want to say that I loved it! It was really beautiful. The author didn't spell out everything that's going to happen in the future and normally I would be upset by that... but not in this case. It gave a nod to the closing line in Walden which ends at the dawn of a new day, and I took that as this was a new beginning for Hank, a new chapter. And I took it as hopeful. I like it when the author gives the reader credit that they can infer some things without everything just being there in black and white. But don't get me wrong, it is a delicate balance. I can't stand abrupt endings that give no inferences. This one is not like that.
The only thing I didn't love was that Hank has a few convo's with Thoreau's ghost that left me a little confused. Was that his mind just telling him he wasn't ready to remember? I wasn't really sure... but it was weird. And there's also this part where Hank finds out he knows how to play guitar and all of a sudden he starts using the word "rockin" a little too much for my taste!
Overall: Wow! A really great debut novel for Cal Armistead. I recommend this book for anyone who wants to go on an adventure and teens who are looking to find themselves. A super-cool refreshing contemporary YA.
My Blog:
froggylibrarian1's review against another edition
5.0
I really liked this book... It starts with our main character waking up at Penn Station in New York having no idea who he is or why he is there. All he has to go on is a copy of Walden by Henry David Thoreau which is sitting next to him. New York City doesn't work out well for him. Two teenage runaways help him out but then also get him into trouble with a drug pusher. "Henry" as he is calling himself decides to travel to Walden Pond hoping that being there will help him figure out who he is. Once her gets there he meets some new friends. One is a librarian and historian named Thomas who lets him stay at his house and helps him figure out who he is. You see Henry or "Hank" is really Danny and he caused an accident and is running away from the pain of it all.
Danny really struggles throughout the book with the "beast" inside him. He has to decide whether to face what he did or continue to run away. I really enjoyed the last few chapters as Danny runs away again but then comes to terms with what happened. The fact that he goes to Maine and Mt. Katahdin specifically made it that much better for me. I loved the tie ins to Walden and the insight into this troubled boy.
Danny really struggles throughout the book with the "beast" inside him. He has to decide whether to face what he did or continue to run away. I really enjoyed the last few chapters as Danny runs away again but then comes to terms with what happened. The fact that he goes to Maine and Mt. Katahdin specifically made it that much better for me. I loved the tie ins to Walden and the insight into this troubled boy.
demottar's review against another edition
2.0
This lacked depth of character and emotional impact. On a more technical matter, the semi stream of consciousness really did not work for me. I was pretty disappointed with this overall.
lazygal's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted this book to be better - the exploration of amnesia and concussion would have been so good for teens to read. Instead, there's a little too much focus on the Thoreau elements.
"Hank" wakes up in Penn Station, his head hurting (and bleeding) and with no memory of who he is and how he got there. Choosing the name "Henry David" from the copy of Walden he seems to have with him, he needs to survive while figuring out what happened. He meets Jack and Nessa, has a bad adventure with them and escapes to Concord MA, home of Walden Pond. While in Concord he meets people, regains his memory and has to decide what his future will be.
It's that part that totally lost me: bad enough that we don't get as much as we could about the aftereffects of his concussion and the resulting amnesia, but that the ending is "everything works out right" with no clue as to how that happened? Usually I rail about Book Bloat, but in this case a few more pages would have been helpful. Overall, the book is gentle when it could be a tad harsher.
ARC provided by publisher.
"Hank" wakes up in Penn Station, his head hurting (and bleeding) and with no memory of who he is and how he got there. Choosing the name "Henry David" from the copy of Walden he seems to have with him, he needs to survive while figuring out what happened. He meets Jack and Nessa, has a bad adventure with them and escapes to Concord MA, home of Walden Pond. While in Concord he meets people, regains his memory and has to decide what his future will be.
It's that part that totally lost me: bad enough that we don't get as much as we could about the aftereffects of his concussion and the resulting amnesia, but that the ending is "everything works out right" with no clue as to how that happened? Usually I rail about Book Bloat, but in this case a few more pages would have been helpful. Overall, the book is gentle when it could be a tad harsher.
ARC provided by publisher.