An Invisible Thread

In January, we chose “An Invisible Thread” by Laura Schroff. This is a true story and reads a lot like a memoir but it is a touching tale of compassion and friendship. The main narrator, Laura, is a white, successful marketing executive living in New York in the 1980s and passes by a young black boy who is begging in the street. She feels drawn by an invisible thread and turns back to invite him to lunch. 

Over lunches, and later, time spent together, she becomes friends with the young man, Maurice, and a positive influence in his life. The story outlines the contrasts between the very poor in drug riddled, crime laden and desperate neighborhoods just down the street from posh apartments where the successful live their lives oblivious to the suffering.

Though it is not dramatized, and is told in an honest, straightforward way, the backstory of Laura and the history of Maurice and his family dovetail and blend in a beautiful story of friendship and kindness. It was an uplifting read and our book club enjoyed discussing this thought provoking book.