At The Edge Of Haight: A Novel by Katherine Seligman

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

Maddy Donaldo, homeless at twenty, has made a family of sorts in the dangerous spaces of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. She knows whom to trust, where to eat, when to move locations, and how to take care of her dog. It’s the only home she has. When she unwittingly witnesses the murder of a young homeless boy and is seen by the perpetrator, her relatively stable life is upended. Suddenly, everyone from the police to the dead boys’ parents want to talk to Maddy about what she saw. As adults pressure her to give up her secrets and reunite with her own family before she meets a similar fate, Maddy must decide whether she wants to stay lost or be found. Against the backdrop of a radically changing San Francisco, a city which embraces a booming tech economy while struggling to maintain its culture of tolerance, At the Edge of the Haight follows the lives of those who depend on makeshift homes and communities.

As judge Hillary Jordan says, “This book pulled me deep into a world I knew little about, bringing the struggles of its young, homeless inhabitants—the kind of people we avoid eye contact with on the street—to vivid, poignant life. The novel demands that you take a close look. If you knew, could you still ignore, fear, or condemn them? And knowing, how can you ever forget?”

my thoughts:

What an emotional and enlightening story! I absolutely LOVED falling in deep with At The Edge Of Haight by Katherine Seligman. The writing was top notch, the characters unforgettable, and the story itself was fascinating to dive into. This is the story of Maddy, a young lady who is homeless. She's created a circle of friends she can rely on, spend her days with, and commiserate with. The group hang out at malls, music stores, and utilize shelters when necessary. They have figured out how to be "independent" on their terms. And then, Maddy witnesses a murder and now her life is completely turned upside down. She has everyone telling her what they want from her or what she should be doing. The thing is, no one is asking her what she wants to do. Talk about a book that takes a realistic look at homelessness and creates an open dialogue about it. Seligman has written a must-read book!

I would definitely recommend At The Edge Of Haight for anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you will definitely enjoy this book!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book!