Book Analysis Essay on An Invisible Thread

Introduction

The book, "An Invisible Thread," authored by both Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski depicts a story of Laura's unlikely friendship with Maurice Mazyck. Maurice was a panhandler when Laura met him, but instead of being given money, Laura resorted to taking him for lunch, and later the duo started hanging out and getting to learn more about each other. They, however, went separate later in life when Laura got a family of her own and so was Maurice. According to Laura she is convinced that whatever drew them together was an invisible thread and their togetherness was based on the need to assist each (Schroff and Alex 32).

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She believes that they both helped each other hence bringing into the picture the aspect of trust and friendship as the main social issues. The two are considered as social issues because they can either build or destroy the unity of the people within the society. The book traces the arch of the duo's developing friendship despite the differences which defined each other's life. A justification can be noted on page 25 where Laura speaks about her encounter with Maurice immediately after losing the chance of changing Stan's life (Schroff and Alex 25). She mentions that immediately after walking past him, onto the Broadway, she stopped as if it was instinctive. She believes that there existed a strong connection which pulled her towards him and it's what she refers to as "An invisible thread."

Based on the portrait of friendship and trust, the authors of the book also takes us through a detailed portrait of New York city particularly with a view of the '80s, a time which was marked by rampant criminal activities and the epidemic crack was equally at its peak. The detailed story about New City should not just be treated casually or deemed of local color but rather seen as one which builds our understanding of the kind of environment Mazyck grew in. The understanding of the social ill that surrounded him helps us to understand the influences that shaped his personality. It was indeed great courage and trust that made Laura agree to take care of Maurice.

It is equally notable that through these social issues noted, the theme of the book is developed. It is from the social issues covered in the book that we find the theme of unending friendship that developed on the first encounter of both Laura and Maurice. Even though they knew little about each other, the invisible thread made them develop trust and walk through the journey of friendship until the time they parted to form their families (Schroff and Alex n.p). The essentiality of the story is based on how the authors opine the book following the yawning gulf that divided their worlds but later bridged by something that looked insignificant, for example, their affection, and needs for each other. The result drawn from reading the book is not only based on the insightful nature of New York City in the '80s but also inclined to the touching and beautiful narrative on how friendship can surpass the boundaries of age, race, and class.

Conclusion

In summary, the social issues that unfold from the book, "An Invisible Thread," by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski are based on trust, friendship, and the criminal activities during the '80s, in New York. How the issues are depicted helps in building the theme of unending friendship as noted herein.

Works Cited

Schroff, Laura, and Alex Tresniowski. An Invisible Thread. The true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny. 2011. Print. Retrieved from http://natechcom.hopto.org:8080/ebooks/ebooks/pdf/An%20Invisible%20Thread%20-%20Laura%20Schroff.pdf

Schroff, Laura, and Alex Tresniowski. An invisible thread: The true story of an 11-year-old panhandler, a busy sales executive, and an unlikely meeting with destiny. Simon and Schuster, 2011.