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.

I must read. Listened to it with my daughter, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Thoughtful, heartfelt, wonderful story.

Really didn’t dislike anything. We loved all the characters even like the ones Unlikable. We listened to an audio and whoever was doing all the reading did a fabulous job.

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!

Everyone should read this story

Really great book, I honestly think every human should read this book. Engaging and thought provoking.

A very enjoyable book with a unique story

It was an interesting story that kept me engaged throughout. There are no super high points or super low points, but simply presented in a way that I couldn’t stop listening too.

The narrative is well- told by the author and well-performed by the narrator.

I loved this book.

The truths. The tender delivery and execution of the truths.

This story cannot miss a single person’s soul. It touches on the real life of each of us who are aware of our own struggles.

Good Story With Depth

Excellent narrator. Too many life lessons to mention are woven nicely into a fun to read novel.

Brilliant writing / dialogue

My favorite Catherine Ryan Hyde book-and I’ve read them all. Body Slam to the heart, on every level.