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Love in the Present Tense
Love in the Present Tense
Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde
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...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780307276711
ISBN-10: 0307276716
Publication Date: 7/10/2007
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 24

3.8 stars, based on 24 ratings
Publisher: Vintage
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio CD
Members Wishing: 3
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 121 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This is one of the best books that I've read in a long time. The plot..love found later in life, separation, reunion is not new. But since it's told through both the eyes and heart of the male and female,it adds a whole new dimension. The characters are real and become personal to you the reader. I didn't want the book to end. I wanted an immediate sequel to find out what happens next.
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reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 628 more book reviews
For me, just okay, but for those who loved reading "Pay it Forward", you won't be disappointed.
reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 391 more book reviews
WOW I dint think Hyde could write a better novel than Pay it forward--this is equally as touching and great
reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 1452 more book reviews
"Forever love" is a powerful statement that sums the tale of this novel. The story is so sad at times, comfortingly humorous at others, and warming to the heart at others. I really enjoyed this read. The child who has no last name and who doesn't know who he is is an innocent who loves sincerely and without restraint. Mitch becomes his father by default when Leonard's mother disappears. He finds himself growing increasingly attached to the boy whose eye problems stem from being born prematurely and become more serious as he grows. Mitch learns to be a father through experience guided by the love of a small boy who grows under his tutelage into a sensitive teenager and later, a man with a family of his own.
heyteacher-tpm avatar reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 35 more book reviews
A very beautiful book - with a moving message and characters that you actually grow to care about as you read. Pearl is maybe the weakest character of all, and that is saying something as you end up feeling her fear and pain as you read.

Pearl, a young single mother, commits an accidental crime and does her best to protect her son Leonard from the incident. One day, she leaves Leonard with her next-door neighbor, a young computer programmer named Mitch, and never returns. Leonard is put into foster care but Mitch remains a central figure in his life and Leonard, a gentle soul with vision problems, teaches Mitch and everyone around him how to "love in the present tense" as he comes to terms with his mother's abandonment. Beautifully written and engrossing to read, I highly recommend it to anyone.
reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 3 more book reviews
This was a wonderful and heat warming book. Dont let the first few pages fool you - you will not want to put this book done once you get into it.
ATraveler avatar reviewed Love in the Present Tense on + 193 more book reviews
Enjoyable book about love and relationships. A young girl becomes a mother; a neighbor befriends the young child; the child's enduring love is the center theme. Book made me cry both for sad and happy reasons. Style jumped back and forth between present and past . . . each chapter headed by the character whose perspective it is along with the age of the character at the time. Definitely worth reading.


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