The Social Worker: A Novel

by Michael Ungar

Michael Ungar, PhD, is a prize-winning fiction writer and among the most influential social work authors and speakers on parenting issues in North America. His nine nonfiction books include The We Generation and Too Safe For Their Own Good. His work has been the subject of cover stories in magazines and he is a regular contributor to radio and television. His blog
can be read on Psychology Today's website. In 2010 he was the recipient of the Canadian Association of Social Workers Distinguished Service Award for Nova Scotia. The Social Worker is his first novel.Currently, he is a Professor of Social Work at Dalhousie University in Halifax where he directs the Resilience Research Centre. His website is www.michaelungar.com.

287 pages, Paperback

First published March 2, 2011

Reviews

[Dave Musgrave · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have worked in child protection for a number of years. I honestly feel this is essential reading for those of us in the field. Through our journey in the profession we hopefully learn the lack of distinction between us and them. This book illustrates the positives (and difficulties) of such a milieu and the resilience that must be nurtured rather than taught, for clients and professionals alike.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Michael Ungar is a respected author and speaker on parenting across North America. He teaches at Dal. This is his first work of fiction portraying the blurred lines between client and worker. I like his non-fiction better.

[Gavin Esdale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a bit torn when it comes to this one. It felt quite unfocused at times, and a significant portion of it felt like a drag (this drag almost knocked it down to the 2-star club), but the parts that don't drag are often riveting. In terms of content, it definitely isn't an easy read, and I suppose that is part of the point: social work isn't easy. How exactly does one navigate the incredibly complicated and f***ed-up lives of those who need a social worker when one is so themselves? The story, if nothing else, doesn't shy away from depicting the dark sides of this world.

Don't know if I'd recommend it though.

[Wendy Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having worked in Corrections and Mental Health, as well as living in Halifax, i was able to really get in to this book and quite enjoyed it. I like how the author was able to share both the good and bad of "the system".

[Alisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a hard read. It jumps back n forth from POVs and has really random stories that seem unnecessarily graphic, such as teen masturbation. Maybe it's intentional, but my second time trying to get through it and I failed to push through.

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that I will never forget.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting in that it feels realistic- a social worker who was once in care himself. The details very real.

But reads like a text book. A little dry.

[Talya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this book after reading the author's theoretical work around resilience for a class in the social work program. Having been inundated with social work content for the last four months, this was a very interesting read. It is dark, and a bit cynical about the whole social services system (especially children's aid.) The author obviously has a lot of experience and his writing comes from an inside perspective so it's a cynicism I trust. However, I found the voice of the main character to be a bit of a stretch, something about the incongruence between the lived experience of someone with so much trauma and the indoctrination of social work education... I guess that contradiction was one of the main points of the novel, but somehow housing it inside one individual was a big stretch for my mind. It was, however, a very interesting read and inside look at "the system." Also really enjoy Ungar's writing style. I would recommend it for anyone who is interested in the field.

[Denise MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book to be very insightful. Sometimes it is difficult for people to understand that the system in place presently is often unable to provide people with what they actually need. Thinking outside the box is often talked about but actually frowned upon. Not only do clients get lost in the system but so do the people who work in the system. This was a sad story all around but I believe very accurate and eye opening.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was shocking...yet not...it was a good book but the subject matter was difficult at times. I did enjoy this book. Thanks for the loan Tanis!