“A stunningly sad and heroically hopeful tale…This is a beautiful novel about relationships of the most makeshift kind.” —O, The Oprah MagazineArthur Opp weighs 550 pounds and hasn’t left his rambling Brooklyn home in a decade. Twenty miles away, in Yonkers, seventeen-year-old Kel Keller navigates life as the poor kid in a rich school and pins his hopes on what seems like a promising baseball … what seems like a promising baseball career. The link between this unlikely pair is Kel’s mother, Charlene, a former student of Arthur’s. Told with warmth and intelligence through Arthur and Kel’s own quirky and lovable voices, Heft is the story of two improbable heroes whose connection transforms both their lives.
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One decision can alter the course of the rest of your life, and Arthur Opp learns this lesson several times in this book. One decision affects his job. Another decision results in isolation and loneliness. A decision based on hope brings someone into his life that alters his attitude and outlook.
Kel Keller has more stress, drama, and trauma in his life than any teenager should have to deal with. Decisions he makes have an effect on his current and future situations.
Both characters make the same good decision – to let people into their lives. A decision to hope and trust. This is a story about just that. It is also about acceptance of self and others, of looking past outward appearance and knowing the real person.
The story was pretty well crafted and easy to read. So, why did I only give it 3 stars? Because the overuse of the “&” sign instead of writing out the word just about drove me crazy. Yes, that is a petty reason, but not the only one. I thought the characters were a little too nice and accepting of others much too quickly. Of course, if that were the way things were in real life, the world would be a much better place. Finally – the ending. (Yep, kind of like that. It ended with no real resolutions, just hope it would all work out.).
Great read. Told by alternating characters.
Just finished this book and really enjoyed it. It is a fascinating study and more.
I thought it was very good- at least 4 1/2 stars. Very sweet, nicely written and an original storyline.
Truly original in concept with deeply developed characters whose lives intersected in unexpected ways. I loved it!
This book held a wealth of emotion and feeling….all over the board. I could not put it down. Ending was a surprise.
Another reason to read: one develops an understanding of what goes through the minds of those we might call “odd.” This book helped me to understand and accept others, always a good thing.
I found this book hopeful. The pain caused by those who are isolated either by there own choice or their inability to assimilate into social situations is profound, lonely and debilitating. It takes the help of others and the courage to step out of their comfort zone and take a chance at life and happiness. There was an unanswered question in this book and an ending that could have been more satisfying, but I would still highly recommend it.
This is a rather excellent and well written book about a man who is obese and hides from the world behind his ever increasing obesity and his basic inability to be mobile. I recommend it.
I could not put this book down. I can usually tell the ending within the first two chapters. Not this one. The characters are lovingly crafted and fully fleshed out, although there are some surprises. I hope more people enjoy this book! A favorite of mine for this year.
Beautifully written, with beautifully crafted characters and story.
I wanted this book to be longer. Really enjoyed the characters
‘read like a so real story. Enjoyable.