At The Edge of the Haight

Maddy Dondaldo is a twenty-year-old homeless female who follows her dog, Root, into the bushes one day where she witnesses a man dying. His killer standing nearby leaves without harming Maddy, but this incident will change her life in many ways.

Maddy has been on her own for some time but has formed a family group/ community of sorts with her boyfriend, Ash, Fleet and Hope. She spends her days going to the library, music store and other stores that allow her to browse, give out dog treats, allow her to use the bathroom. She and her friends sit with signs, asking for money, go to local shelters for food, showers and occasionally to spend the night.

He life gets turned upside down when she gets drawn into the police investigation and meets the dead man’s parents who desperately want answers.

I appreciated that she author mentioned in her Author’s note that she spoke with homeless individuals living on the streets. I found her portrayal of the homeless to be very realistic. Little known fact about me, I worked as a Case Manager working with homeless mentally ill adults for shelters in both Santa Monica and Glendale, CA for two different agencies. A common misconception is that everyone wants help and to get off the street. I loved that she wrote how difficult it was for Maddy to spend the night indoors at the one place the young man’s parents paid for. This was something I was up against all the time. Many have difficulty not being able to see the stars/sky, breathe open air, they may feel boxed in/claustrophobic, paranoia, feeling as if they do not deserve help, and miss those who they lived with on the streets with, etc. That was common as was theft, rape, crime against homeless, etc. I really appreciated how she wrote some of these issues into that book. She also did a great job describing services offered in the shelters. I appreciated the research she did in writing this book.

Another positive is the relationships she showed between the characters. Those between Maddy and her friends, and between Maddy and the young man’s parents. She showed their grief, desperation, and drive for answers. There is a bit of sadness flowing through this book, but it is also hopeful as well. Maddy must make a decision, but what choice will she make?

I found this story to be both captivating and thought provoking.

***The Winner of the 2019 PEN/Bellwether Prize for Socially Engaged Fiction

Thank you to Algonquin Books and Edelweiss who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.