Amazon.com: Customer reviews: My Name is Anton: A Novel

Top positive review

A Book About Good People

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020

Sometimes, you almost forget there are good people in the world. Friends let you down. Family members disappoint you. Elected officials crush you.

You tip-toe from one landmine to the next. You forget about the time when you expected people to be filled with light, decency, integrity, and love.

Let’s just say I’ve been going through a tough patch with politics and the pandemic, and I’d forgotten how things should be. “My Name Is Anton” gave me the spiritual boost I needed. It spoke to my soul.

I wish I could give it 6 stars. Please, people. Read this book.

33 people found this helpful

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D. Z.

Offensive and inaccurate depiction of adoption

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020

I'm a fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books. I've read or listened to all of them. Other than the fact that she doesn't seem to know the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist I always find them enjoyable. This book however is rough. I haven't quite finished and it's painful to continue. The main characters are pathetic and self centered. For example Anton can't figure out why his girl friend doesn't want the ring belonging to the woman he really loves hanging in her face during sex. Edith wants children but doesn't take into consideration that adopting a baby at almost 50 will give a teenager a mother who is almost 70.

My husband and I adopted 2 children in our 30s. They are now 17 and 20. I'm sure adoption was different in the 80s but I can't imagine it was close to adopting a puppy which is how it's portrayed in this novel. Two people who are not married go to an agency and look at children who apparently live there? as if they are visiting an animal shelter. The agency owner who is never identified as a licensed social worker has no problem with the fact that Edith and Anton have known each other for weeks and are not married but want to foster to adopt. She shows up for the first meeting, which I guess is supposed to be the home study, with a five year old child in tow. She really knows nothing about these people that she's exposing the child to and has no idea what information they might disclose in front of the child who is sitting right there during the discussion. The child has already shown signs of an attachment disorder. It is not normal for a 5 year old to crawl into the lap of a stranger. All 3 adults keep using the phrase "child who is not your own" when referring to adoption. If you think this is acceptable language about adoption then you shouldn't adopt. This child will be "your own". There doesn't seem to be any concern about the stability of this new, rushed marriage. The child is corrected by the agency owner for asking about Anton's hand which is ridiculous. The child has a right to know. There is apparently no requirement for parenting classes or learning information about the needs of an older child. Everyone involved seems to need this badly! Aside from a few mentions of paperwork this adoption is done in a very irresponsible manner.

Edith and Anton then look at adopting a baby that is not even born yet and again expose the child to the first conversation with the teen mother. The first child is still a foster child and nothing has been explained to her before the meeting.

Everything about this depiction of adoption in this book is horrifying. Children are not puppies and decisions about adoption should strongly consider what is best for the child not just what the potential parents want. If you want to adopt please find a reputable agency. Adoption is great but not this way.

74 people found this helpful

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From the United States

D. Z.

Offensive and inaccurate depiction of adoption

Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2020

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74 people found this helpful

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Stacey J. Miller

A Book About Good People

Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2020

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33 people found this helpful

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GTeller

The Finest

Reviewed in the United States on December 3, 2020

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Anton Addison-Rice and Edith Faber. The way Catherine Ryan Hyde first brings these characters along flows like a lazy river. There is a little bit of awkwardness at first, but as things progress, it seems quite natural and so lovely to watch.

This author writes about good people, really good people who sometimes have to deal with bad situations, and she tells us how, with grace and goodness, these people do the best they can. The book description tells us what we need to know in order for us to want to read this book and find out what happens next. The rest is a story of a very deliberate man, a thoughtful man who sees clearly his lot in life and a woman who deserves so much more than what she has.

Anton has a lot of burdens to bear, and his maturity comes about in a horrific way. Edith has her own burdens, but luckily, Anton comes along to shoulder some of those. "Imperfect" as Anton might think he is, he is really just about as perfect a human being as anyone could hope for. And Edith is just about the only human being in his life who sees him this way.

The twists of fate in this story almost defy reality, but they could happen to Anton, and they do!

Every time I read a Catherine Ryan Hyde book, it's the finest of her books I've ever read, and when you start out with the first book, which is fine, the finest ones just get better. I don't know how she does it, but that's why she writes them and we all read them! "Finest" might be a superlative I haven't used yet to describe Catherine Ryan Hyde's books, but if I have, I'm recycling now.

It is recommended that you have tissues on hand.

31 people found this helpful

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Jan Crossen

Celebrate love with this epic love story.

Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2020

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I read an ARC of this book and it was truly wonderful! While reading it I asked myself, “Have you ever loved like that? Truly loved to the point of letting go because doing so would be in the best interest of my beloved?” My Name is Anton is an epic love story that is sure to warm your heart during these extremely difficult times. Anton is an amazing man who is brave, kind, and loyal. He understands what it truly means to love. Edith is a woman in danger. She needs to escape from an abusive husband and to safely start her life anew somewhere far away. Their story will rekindle your faith in mankind and restore your dreams of hope. Celebrate love!

19 people found this helpful

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Sheila R

Wonderful love story

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020

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This is a beautiful love story. It's about found love and lost love on different levels. Catherine Ryan Hyde brings you in to her books. You understand what her characters feel and think. You can't go wrong with a Catherine Ryan Hyde book. They are all wonderful. Thank you!!!!

13 people found this helpful

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Kindle Customer

Another tough but

Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2020

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Another tough read by Catherine Ryan Hyde, but also another amazing book. Her books always make you think, make you wish the world was a better place. They also introduce some amazing characters that make you hope there really are people just like them in the world.

13 people found this helpful

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Terry Buys Stuff

Cathryn Ryan Hyde does it again!

Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2020

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Cathryn Ryan Hyde never dissapoints. This read has "all the feels" and I could not put it down. It's a love story with the good "family" theme. This story is relatedable to the family dynamic of life. I loved it and would give it more stars 🌟 if I could. Definitely a 5 star read worthy of your time.

9 people found this helpful

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Mariann

Doing what is best for the other person

Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2021

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I simply loved this book. It is number 11 for me and each was different and still I loved them all. Doing what is best for the other person even if it does not include you seems to be the premise of this book. Not many people can say they did this in their lives. I am thankful that I did so I was able to understand it even more. Honesty is another recurring theme. It amazes me that Hyde can have such insight into so many different lifestyles. One almost thinks she has an advanced degree in Psychology or is a Psychiatrist. Each book is a learning experience for me and helps me to become a better person. At the age of 80 I am definitely into my golden years. I only have so much time left to improve myself. Reading Hyde's novels is a valuable use of my limited time.

2 people found this helpful

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Judy Taylor

Never Disappoints

Reviewed in the United States on March 20, 2022

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In my 82 years I've read, literally, (no pun intended) thousands of books. A few I've read twice. "The Book Thief" and "Angela's Ashes" come to mind, as well as everything written by Pat Conroy and Leon Uris, two in a rather limited list of favorite writers. Of late I've had the distinct pleasure of discovering a new (to me) author, Catherine Ryan Hyde. Her stories and characters are consistently thought provoking, moving, compelling and very hard to put down. This is not the first time I've read one of her creations cover to virtual cover in one sitting nor, I suspect, will it be the last. If you've discovered her work, you need no further encouragement to read more. If you have not, I wish you a wonderful journey through the imagination of this outstanding author.

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meg sanders

Catherine Ryan Hyde DOES IT AGAIN! She tugs at your heart and brings tears your eyes!

Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2020

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Wonderful story. I liked it so well I reread it after I finished it. Catherine Ryan Hyde can’t write fast enough for me. I wait all year for her next book. She is a creative and complex writer. Her subject matter always touches my heart. She writes about real people not just storybook characters. I recommend her books to friends all the time. She touches my heart!

4 people found this helpful

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My Name is Anton: A Novel

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