Love in the Present Tense, Catherine Ryan Hyde
Love in the Present Tense, Catherine Ryan Hyde
List: $14.98 | Sale: $10.49
Club: $7.49

Love in the Present Tense

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrator: David Coburn, Jeremy Redleaf, Duana Speights

Abridged: 5 hr 9 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/30/2006

Synopsis

For five years Pearl has managed to keep the past from catching up to her and her bright, frail five-year-old son. Life has given her every reason to mistrust people, but circumstances force her to trust her neighbor Mitch with watching Leonard while she goes off to work. Then one day Pearl drops her son off…and never returns.
They are an unlikely pair: Mitch is a young, unattached business owner, and Leonard is a precocious, five-year-old boy. But together they must find a way to move forward in the wake of Pearl’s unexplained disappearance. Their bond as parent and child shifts and endures, even as Mitch must eventually surrender Leonard to a two-parent home.
Is it possible to love the people who can’t always be there for us? The answers will surprise and move you. As their lives unfold, profound questions emerge about the nature of love and family. Ultimately, this novel’s richest reward is watching Mitch and Leonard grow up together, through the power and the magic of the human heart.

About The Author

catherine ryan hyde, an acclaimed novelist and award-winning short-story writer, is the author of the story collection Earthquake Weather and of the novels Funerals for Horses, Electric God, and Pay It Forward, which was named an ALA Book of the Year and made into a feature film. She lives in Cambia, California.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Celia on January 25, 2018

The story of Pearl, Leonard and Mitch was very touching. Pearl has a fierce love for Leonard. Mitch too loves Leonard in an unselfish way. I listened to the audio with a unique voice for each of these three characters. The story tended to be confusing because it jumped around. Leonard at 5, Leonard......more

Goodreads review by Aaron on June 01, 2012

Another Catherine Ryan Hyde book investigating the mysteries of the human condition and how regular people interact under extraordinary circumstances. I love how every character, including the "antagonists" are very real, very sympathetic, and work almost completely. I love this author. The truth of......more

Goodreads review by Baba on April 08, 2020

An understated book of genius… a boy's (Leonard's) search for his mother as narrated by himself and his unofficial foster father, Mitch. The understated prose that describes, combines and delves into soul searching matters around love, parenthood, loss and issue resolution, makes the book very speci......more

Goodreads review by Joan on February 01, 2020

This is not Catherine Ryan Hyde's usual writing style, but I loved it. She normally abstains from profanity. The content was more mature and often dark. However, her incredible skill to portray human nature prevailed, particularly through excellent dialog. When I started reading, I knew I had read it......more

Goodreads review by Johara on March 24, 2021

A Richard & Judy's book club recommendation. You can't help but fall in love with Leonard ... the 5 years old boy with a vision problem. He was just so innocent, real and lovable! I thoroughly enjoyed the book.......more

Quotes

Reviewers praise Catherine Ryan Hyde:
“[Hyde’s] talent for portraying human emotions…she not only tugs at heartstrings but also deftly plays them while building to a poignant crescendo. [Hyde is] a perceptive and gentle-hearted writer.” —Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

“Hyde is a remarkable, insightful storyteller, creating full-bodied characters whose dialogue rings true, with not a word to spare.” —Library Journal

“Brutally lyrical…Hyde movingly conveys the toll of years of emotional damage.” —Publishers Weekly

“Hyde is a magnificent storyteller, an expert at plot and pacing and voice…[Hyde] is worth reading again and again and again.” —Denver Post

“Brilliantly wrought, finely plotted…Every scene is sketched with beautiful brevity…Every vista takes your breath away.” —Small Press

“Haunting.” —Washington Post Book World


“A sweet and honest look at the pains and pleasures of love, and who could not fall in love with Leonard—what a beautifully drawn character.” —Jane Green, bestselling author of Jemima J

Awards

  • New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age
Add to Cart
Add to Wish List