Carole Reviews: Anthony - Harold J.Fischel

Author: Harold J. Fischel

Title: Anthony

Genre: Drama & fiction

Pages: 316

First Published: March 22nd, 2014

Where I Got It: My shelf (Given by a publisher/author for my honest and unbiased opinion)

Life has never been easy for Anthony, the secret love child of a well-known US general and his beautiful mistress. After his father perishes in a plane crash, his cancer-stricken mother, Yuni, is forced to move with him to a tiny New York City apartment. And to make matters worse, he's flagged as an easy target for neighborhood bullies, who constantly pester him inside and outside of school.

But after a brutal attack prompts him to fight back in a fit of rage, things start to turn around for the young boy. He shows promise joining the swim and wrestling teams in school, and begins to grow into the tall and physically fit body he inherited from his father.

Just when Anthony's situation seems to be getting better, however, tragedy strikes his life yet again. In order to put the pieces back together, he turns to some of the strong female figures in his life. But it's the one girl who he least expects that might have the power to heal him-shedding his image as the illegitimate son through the magic of love and helping him leave his tragic childhood behind.

Well....now this was a book that made me feel feelings. Poor Anthony. His childhood was rough, but things get better. And then they get bad. And then they get better AND BOOM! Bad again. Goodness. I guess it reflects real life in a way. Bad things ALWAYS happen, but then things get good for a while again. 

I liked Kay. She was a nice girl and I am glad that Jamal pushed Anthony to get over his issues and go for her before he missed her.

Ugh. Rita....I liked her at the beginning, but she really did upset me. She was an idiot and should have known better. It is a controversial part of the book and I don't want to talk much about it....but yeah. I GET what happened and I kinda sorta sympathize with Anthony and her. However....it was bound to end BADLY sooner or later. 

ANYWAYS, sorry for the rant. 

There were only a couple things that bugged me about the book: some grammar issues and the dialogue. I think this needed one more pair of eyes before it was printed; it wasn't crazy with grammar issues, but just a few issues here and there that caught me eye (normally I am good at not noticing them if its hidden well. haha). The dialogue confused me. What time period was this set in? Some of the words used did not fit modern young adults. I am thinking this was set in the 1970s through to the late 1990s? I am not quite sure and it bugs me. Like the characters used words like "fellow", "gal", "she looks like a dish". So I am confused. 

Besides for that, this was a quick and good read. The story had me hooked and I HAD to find out what was going to happen next. I especially loved the beginning with his dog. What a good doggie. :) The middle dragged a bit, but I was still hooked, because I was not sure what was going to happen.

I recommend this book for those that like some drama and fiction. I was confused about the time period this was set and there were some oopsie-grammar sprinkled around. But besides for that, it was a good and quick read with some drama. In the end, I shall stamp this with 3 stars. 

Favorite Character(s): Pete (what a good man!! Yuni should have hooked up with him ;D), Rita (at the beginning, but she upset me later), Kay, Jamal, Kay's parents, Anthony, & Zorboro (good puppy! I want one!)

Not-so Favorite Character(s): Rita (*shakes my head* TSK) & Sue-Ellen (>___>)