Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Publisher's Summary

From New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde comes a moving novel about two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear.

Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn’t belong. Not with his mother’s new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father’s wife. Not at school, where he’s an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he’s tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who’s introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez?

Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two. 

Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there’s hope if you have someone to hold on to.

©2019 by Catherine Ryan Hyde, Trustee, or Successor Trustee, of the Catherine Ryan Hyde Revocable Trust created under that certain declaration dated September 27, 1999. (P)2019 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic Reviews

“A master of making a heartwarming tale feel authentic and socially urgent, Hyde (Just After Midnight, 2018, etc.) deftly sketches the plights of Raymond and Millie, weighting their friendship with worries and regrets that echo as true…A tender tale of new families born of chance and the determination to bring light into darkness.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Absolute perfection.

Its been a very long time since a book has grabbed me enough for 5 stars in every category. Each character is so human, so "real". Ive known every one at one time in my life. Add to that an actual "real" life story, no extremes, no over-the-top incidents, or stretching the imagination, and you've got a winner. Then if that's not enough, oh the narration! Micael Crouch does not just read a story, he "tells" the story. If you have ever listened to "The Moth" or "Snap Judgment" podcasts you get it. Story-telling is an art that wraps you into the telling by the method. Some may think he's too slow,long pauses, etc but no, this is exactly how this story needs to be told. It is beautiful, heartbreaking and joyous, a redemption of human nature.

9 of 9 people found this review helpful

A Reader's Comments

This novel taught me to keep being a nice person by helping those that need help. The story is well written and is highly recommend to those that love the work of Catherine Ryan Hyde.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Extraordinary Story

The story is absolutely one of the best written by Catherine Ryan Hyde and one of the best books ever! This was a story of love, pain, and mostly tolerance of others. Beautiful story and believe my life is richer because of the shared views of others and about the world through the words of all the people in the story.

Michael Crouch - there are not enough words to say how talented he is! The whole time reading the story - believed two people were reading. One for Raymond and one for Mildred! Made the rich characters so much more!

A must read!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This is beautifully written story!

This was a beautifully written book! Loved every minute. Of course, I only wish there was more. I would love to here if Mrs G makes it to 100 and find out how Raymond and the other characters lives turn out!
The narrator was amazing! Thought it had to be more than one, but was only the one narrator!
Great job!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

There are not enough words to explain...

The story was sweet and pure. Characterization was thoughtful and sensitive. The narration was unbelievable. Crouch is a genius with his voice and his ability to portray accents; completely believable. From an old German woman to many Hispanic characters. From a 16 year old boy to all the ages surrounding it. If Crouch does not win an award for his incredible gift, I would not understand. This book is a true gem!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Emotional and Engrossing

Ms. Hyde has a knack for drawing you into communities that you almost immediately care deeply about. This is no exception. This particular story is deeply emotional. My only critique is that the story could have been perhaps a bit more succinct it's last hour.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

LOVE!!!!

What an amazing book!!! Highly recommended!
But make sure you have lots of tissues. I cried throughout the whole book. I will remember this book for a very long time.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A Gospel for today!

I am a fan of Ms. Hyde but this the best ever of all previous. It is a gospel which could happen anywhere in our country. Happy, sad, and yes funny at times. The characters became my friends quickly as I followed them throughout and left them with reluctance.
The tribalism aspect hit me like a truck at high speed. I accept at great sorrow the truth of this reality...the sadness of that truth will remain.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Heartwarming tale.

Another great story on humanity. Touches very pertinent subjects currently surfacing in society under this administration. To look around and see that people are okay with the status quo is frightening. It reminds us how tribalism can lead to dreadful consequences if left unchecked. For those who are willing to see how fear and hatred taint the civility of a nation, it is time to try to tilt the scales back towards decency and general good will. This atmosphere is how horrible things begin and failing to heed the lessons of our unwanted elderly is at the core . Demons lay dormant waiting for those with true knowledge to pass on, their truth buried with them. The proud and ignorant remain to repeat the cycle........or will we?

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Refreshing

I loved this book. Ten stars in all areas. The story was wonderful with an amazing narration.