An Invisible Thread

The True Story of an 11-Year-Old Panhandler, a Busy Sales Executive, and an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny

By: Laura Schroff, Alex Tresniowski

Narrated by: Pam Ward

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's summary

This inspirational New York Times best seller chronicles the lifelong friendship between a busy sales executive and a disadvantaged young boy and how both of their lives were changed by what began as one small gesture of kindness.

“A straightforward tale of kindness and paying it forward in 1980s New York...an uplifting reminder that small gestures matter.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Stopping was never part of the plan....

She was a successful ad sales rep in Manhattan. He was a homeless 11-year-old panhandler on the street. He asked for spare change; she kept walking. But then something stopped her in her tracks, and she went back. And she continued to go back, again and again. They met up nearly every week for years and built an unexpected, life-changing friendship that has today spanned almost three decades.

Whatever made me notice him on that street corner so many years ago is clearly something that cannot be extinguished, no matter how relentless the forces aligned against it. Some may call it spirit. Some may call it heart. It drew me to him, as if we were bound by some invisible, unbreakable thread. And whatever it is, it binds us still.

©2011 Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski. All rights reserved. (P)2019 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Very enjoyable, sweetness and warmth were felt

I had to read this book for a class but decided I didn’t have time, so I purchased the audiobook to listen on my commutes to and from work and class. Some points were easy to zone out, but others kept me very involved in the lives of Maurice and Laura. I would recommend to my friends and family. I removed one star for the story because I felt like Laura tried to compare her childhood to Maurice’s that, while both very unfortunate, are not equivocal.

Beautiful

What an amazing story, with so many lessons for the both of them…& it’s readers

The book teaches you some good lessons

I’ve listened to this book to give my son a company for summer reading assignment at school. I’d probably never pick up the book otherwise but I’m glad I did. Im thankful I was given a chance to see the New York and it’s suburban life through the eyes of Maurice and Laurie. This book reminds me of “The Little Prince “ by Saint-Exupery, so many quotes could be applied to Maurice and Laurie’s story. The narrator did great, the southern accent was little confusing to hear since Laurie is a born New Yorker.

Wonderful Story

My husband & I listened to this story throughout the day. We could personally relate to many of the family dynamics and true friendships. This was truly an inspiring story of resilience.

Such inspiration and meaning!

I LOVED this book! How wonderful to make such a difference in each other's lives! In a world full of hurt, "making good" of less than ideal situations gives hope to others! Thank you for sharing your story!

people loving people

our world is no longer a place to kindness and love. we have put up walls like the Berlin wall. we all need to be a Maurice or a Laura. they showed us that there is no color nor excuses. they proved that we are all responsible for who we are or who we want to be. their story is moving and should be a required reading.

Heartfelt love for family

Very good book for young adults and older, Was told by a friend to read it. So glad I did. Couldn’t put the book down. So much richness of a different kind of love connection, between two very different hungry for love humans. Definitely recommending this story.

Loved this feel good story

This story touched so many of our hearts. It was a great inspiration to all of us that work by people in need everyday!

many lessons learned

such a great true story which reminds us that we can't choose what family we are born into but not everyone in that family has to follow the same path. heart warming and thoroughly enjoyed the narrators way of telling the story!

Best narrator ever!

Sweet story by the best narrator around. Hoping to find more audiobooks read by her!