Michael Without Apology

A Novel

De: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Narrado por: Michael Crouch

A film student struggling with self-acceptance finally stops looking away from his traumatic past in a powerful novel by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.

Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself.

When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth.

As he collects these stories—and finally tells his own—Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more obstacle: his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn’t fight to keep him.

©2025 Catherine Ryan Hyde, Trustee, or Successor Trustee, of the Catherine Ryan Hyde Revocable Trust created under that certain declaration dated September 27, 1999. (P)2025 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“In this brilliant novel, we learn about accepting ourselves and others, with all our scars and imperfections. Hyde demonstrates that we don’t need to apologize for our imperfect bodies, or for a messy house.”—Bookreporter

Great topic

Pertinent to so many of us in different ways, and great to share with family and in my career in a medical field.

Couldn’t stop listening

Classic Catherine Ryan Hyde book. Beautiful, unique, and thought provoking. Characters are richly crafted as is dialog. Loved it.

It was a beautiful touching story

This book really touched me. It was a great story and the narrator did a fabulous job.

I See You

I liked how it opened my eyes to all humans inner sense of worth depending on external looks as perceived by the individual. Even though a person looks one way to those looking, the individuals perception is totally different.

Wonderful heartfelt story

Another terrific Catherine Ryan Hyde book. I enjoyed the story, the pace and the characters. The narration was very well done. Highly recommend.

Excellent

Definitely my choice to recommend to my book club! This one WILL make you think about so much!

An absolute must read!

I thought the narrator was excellent, as well as the body content And storyline. An absolute must read for anyone who has ever felt any insecurities about their body. A lot must read for anyone who ever doubted their validity in the world. JUST simply a must read!

Absolutely loved it!

I normally love CRH books and this one was no exception.
Her character development was natural and the flow was excellent - switching from the past to the present wasn't confusing.
Recommended it to a friend.

The consequences of irresponsible parenting

This book is a work of fiction. However, the book was so good that I almost wish it was a true story. Michael Woodbine is a person I would want to know.

The book addresses the issue of irresponsible parenting, and the consequences that cause
the suffering of the victims of that parenting. It also speaks volumes about self image. How we see ourselves and how we imagine that others see us, can make us or break us.

The Narrator Really Brought The Story To Life

The thing I like most about Catherine Ryan Hyde's stories is that they make me feel. The emotions of this story are strong, but subtle. They are honest and moving, but not always comfortable. They reveal themselves through the nature of characters and their words in their interviews with Michael. I think its the diversity of the characters, but the similarity of their feelings about themselves that ultimately emphasizes those emotions.

Michael's teacher, and ultimately Michael's mentor, is himself scarred and a part of Michael's film. But he is also the objective voice of this story. He's there to offer advice and word's of wisdom, to be the sounding board for Michael's doubts and questions.

The narrator does a wonderful job bringing the story to life. Through his voice I heard and felt the emotions of the story. I also felt I could "see" Michael as his life experiences contributed to his maturing view of people and his ideas about the world