What do you think?
Rate this book
Chasing Windmills
Catherine Ryan Hyde, bestselling author of Pay It Forward, returns with a provocative tour de force on first love—a modern-day rendering of West Side Story born on a New York City subway car and nurtured under the windmills of the Mojave Desert.
The subway doors open and close, and in one moment Sebastian’s and Maria’s lives are changed forever. Rendered in Catherine Ryan Hyde’s stirring and evocative prose, CHASING WINDMILLS is a poignant love story that will leave you yearning for a subway ride that is a fraction as enchanting.
Letting go becomes the purest expression of love in this extraordinary novel by the bestselling author of Pay It Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde.
Both Sebastian and Maria live in a world ruled by fear. Sebastian, a lonely seventeen-year-old, is suffocating under his dominant father’s control. In the ten years since his mother passed away, his father has kept him “safe” by barely allowing him out of their apartment. Sebastian’s secret late-night subway rides are rare acts of rebellion. another is a concealed friendship with his neighbor Delilah, who encourages him to question his father’s version of reality. Soon it becomes unclear whether even his mother’s death was a lie.
Maria, a young mother of two, is trying to keep peace at home despite her boyfriend’s abuse. When she loses her job, she avoids telling him by riding the subways during her usual late-night shift. She knows her sister, Stella, is right: She needs to “live in the truth” and let the chips fall where they may. But she still hasn’t been able to bring herself to do it. And soon he will expect her paycheck to arrive.
When Sebastian and Maria wind up on the same train, their eyes meet across the subway car, and these two strangers find a connection that neither can explain or ignore. Together they dream of a new future, agreeing to run away and find Sebastian’s grandmother in the Mojave Desert. But Maria doesn’t know Sebastian is only seventeen. And Sebastian doesn’t know Maria has children until the moment they leave. Ultimately, Maria brings one child, her daughter. Can she really leave her little boy behind? And, if not, what will it cost her to face her furious jilted abuser?
In this tremendously moving novel, Catherine Ryan Hyde shows us how two people trapped by life’s circumstances can break free and find a place in the world where love is genuine and selfless.
The subway doors open and close, and in one moment Sebastian’s and Maria’s lives are changed forever. Rendered in Catherine Ryan Hyde’s stirring and evocative prose, CHASING WINDMILLS is a poignant love story that will leave you yearning for a subway ride that is a fraction as enchanting.
Letting go becomes the purest expression of love in this extraordinary novel by the bestselling author of Pay It Forward, Catherine Ryan Hyde.
Both Sebastian and Maria live in a world ruled by fear. Sebastian, a lonely seventeen-year-old, is suffocating under his dominant father’s control. In the ten years since his mother passed away, his father has kept him “safe” by barely allowing him out of their apartment. Sebastian’s secret late-night subway rides are rare acts of rebellion. another is a concealed friendship with his neighbor Delilah, who encourages him to question his father’s version of reality. Soon it becomes unclear whether even his mother’s death was a lie.
Maria, a young mother of two, is trying to keep peace at home despite her boyfriend’s abuse. When she loses her job, she avoids telling him by riding the subways during her usual late-night shift. She knows her sister, Stella, is right: She needs to “live in the truth” and let the chips fall where they may. But she still hasn’t been able to bring herself to do it. And soon he will expect her paycheck to arrive.
When Sebastian and Maria wind up on the same train, their eyes meet across the subway car, and these two strangers find a connection that neither can explain or ignore. Together they dream of a new future, agreeing to run away and find Sebastian’s grandmother in the Mojave Desert. But Maria doesn’t know Sebastian is only seventeen. And Sebastian doesn’t know Maria has children until the moment they leave. Ultimately, Maria brings one child, her daughter. Can she really leave her little boy behind? And, if not, what will it cost her to face her furious jilted abuser?
In this tremendously moving novel, Catherine Ryan Hyde shows us how two people trapped by life’s circumstances can break free and find a place in the world where love is genuine and selfless.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
543 people are currently reading
1352 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Ryan Hyde
66 books6,243 followersCatherine Ryan Hyde is the author of more than 50 published and forthcoming books.
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
She is co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.
Her bestselling 1999 novel Pay It Forward was made into a major Warner Brothers motion picture. It was chosen by the American Library Association for its Best Books for Young Adults list, and translated into more than two dozen languages for distribution in over 30 countries. Simon & Schuster released a special 15th anniversary edition in December of ’14.
Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.
You can learn much more about Catherine at www.catherineryanhyde.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 360 reviews
October 18, 2023
EXCERPT: She got on the Lexington Avenue local at . . . what was it? . . . I think Union Square. Funny how a thing like that can be so damned important, but you don't know it's important until an instant later in the big scheme of time. Then you go back and try to retrieve it. You tell yourself it's in there somewhere. But it's really in that no-mans-land of the moment before you woke up and started paying attention to your own life.
I'm pretty sure it was Union Square.
At first we looked at each other for a split second, but of course we looked away immediately. It's part of what makes us like the animals, I suppose. Ever seen two dogs circling to fight? They look right into each other's eyes. It's a challenge. So when a dog doesn't want to challenge anybody, he looks way. In case I haven't made it clear by now, we were two dogs who weren't looking for a fight.
But then, after we both looked away, we weren't afraid of each other anymore. We knew we didn't have to be. I mean, except to the extent that we were afraid of everything.
ABOUT 'CHASING WINDMILLS': Sebastian, at 17, has never eaten pizza, never been to school, never even hung out with other kids. He rides the subway at night to escape his father's strict, possessive parenting.
Maria, 22 and mother to two young children, has just lost her job. Afraid to confess to her violent boyfriend, Maria resorts to riding the subway when he thinks she's at work.
And then one night, on an empty train, Sebastian and Maria make eye contact . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Have you ever looked across a space, crowded or otherwise, and caught someone's eye and felt . . . more than attraction . . . a connection? That's Sebastion and Maria. And the start of their story.
Their story is told from the alternating points of view of Sebastian and Maria. Each of them, in their own way, is a prisoner. Sebastian to domineering father; Maria to an abusive partner. Alone, they are powerless, but together? Read Chasing Windmills and see.
Other than the two abusers, there are some wonderful characters to love. Delores, who provides a haven for Sebastian, and his grandmother Annie are just two of the people with big hearts and plenty of compassion. Sebastian learns a lot from Delores who is also one wise lady who has the uncanny knack of knowing just when she is needed.
As usual with CRH books, this is an emotional read. And again, as usual, CRH didn't take me where I thought we were going to go. But I liked it. I thought the ending was perfect. Just like the title.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#ChasingWindmills
THE AUTHOR: I am the author of more than 30 published and forthcoming books. I'm an avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer.
I own my copy of Chasing Windmills
I'm pretty sure it was Union Square.
At first we looked at each other for a split second, but of course we looked away immediately. It's part of what makes us like the animals, I suppose. Ever seen two dogs circling to fight? They look right into each other's eyes. It's a challenge. So when a dog doesn't want to challenge anybody, he looks way. In case I haven't made it clear by now, we were two dogs who weren't looking for a fight.
But then, after we both looked away, we weren't afraid of each other anymore. We knew we didn't have to be. I mean, except to the extent that we were afraid of everything.
ABOUT 'CHASING WINDMILLS': Sebastian, at 17, has never eaten pizza, never been to school, never even hung out with other kids. He rides the subway at night to escape his father's strict, possessive parenting.
Maria, 22 and mother to two young children, has just lost her job. Afraid to confess to her violent boyfriend, Maria resorts to riding the subway when he thinks she's at work.
And then one night, on an empty train, Sebastian and Maria make eye contact . . .
MY THOUGHTS: Have you ever looked across a space, crowded or otherwise, and caught someone's eye and felt . . . more than attraction . . . a connection? That's Sebastion and Maria. And the start of their story.
Their story is told from the alternating points of view of Sebastian and Maria. Each of them, in their own way, is a prisoner. Sebastian to domineering father; Maria to an abusive partner. Alone, they are powerless, but together? Read Chasing Windmills and see.
Other than the two abusers, there are some wonderful characters to love. Delores, who provides a haven for Sebastian, and his grandmother Annie are just two of the people with big hearts and plenty of compassion. Sebastian learns a lot from Delores who is also one wise lady who has the uncanny knack of knowing just when she is needed.
As usual with CRH books, this is an emotional read. And again, as usual, CRH didn't take me where I thought we were going to go. But I liked it. I thought the ending was perfect. Just like the title.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
#ChasingWindmills
THE AUTHOR: I am the author of more than 30 published and forthcoming books. I'm an avid hiker, traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer.
I own my copy of Chasing Windmills
March 30, 2017
One of my favourite books of all time. Strongly recommend it!
February 13, 2022
At first, given the age of Sebastian, one of the main characters and one of the voices through whom the story is told, I thought the book may have been intended as YA. But his voice and that of Maria, who he sees and meets on a subway train at night, took hold of the narrative and got me in. Maria is in her early twenties and the mother of two young. Yet somehow Sebastian and Maria connect. At first I wasn’t completely convinced about the attraction between them.
The other character I loved was the older Delores, neighbour and friend to Sebastian. There are a couple of characters to heartily dislike as well.
Both Sebastian and Maria are victims of abuse though in different ways. I loved this book and spent a lot of time with my heart in my mouth. The ending took me back a bit. Not everyone is going to like it. Did it work? You will need to read the book and make up your own mind. Another enjoyable book I would recommend from this great author.
The other character I loved was the older Delores, neighbour and friend to Sebastian. There are a couple of characters to heartily dislike as well.
Both Sebastian and Maria are victims of abuse though in different ways. I loved this book and spent a lot of time with my heart in my mouth. The ending took me back a bit. Not everyone is going to like it. Did it work? You will need to read the book and make up your own mind. Another enjoyable book I would recommend from this great author.
August 28, 2023
3. 5 stars
Audiobook narrated by Jesse Bernstein & Amber Sealey 8h 57mins
This is the only CRH novel I have listened to on Audiobook and it was the perfect listen. The narrators help convey the situations that Sebastian and Maria find themselves in and the choices they make along the way.
This was a different story than I usually read from the author. Many of her books heavily feature a youth and an older(often elder) character. Not that I am denying that there's a world of difference between a 17 year old boy feeling unloved in his home and a 24 year old mother of two fleeing an abusive home. It's just that the age gap is slightly less than what I am used to.
I felt the ending was realistic but it's the first book of the author's extensive list that I would beg for a sequel.
Goodreads review published 27/08/23
Audiobook narrated by Jesse Bernstein & Amber Sealey 8h 57mins
This is the only CRH novel I have listened to on Audiobook and it was the perfect listen. The narrators help convey the situations that Sebastian and Maria find themselves in and the choices they make along the way.
This was a different story than I usually read from the author. Many of her books heavily feature a youth and an older(often elder) character. Not that I am denying that there's a world of difference between a 17 year old boy feeling unloved in his home and a 24 year old mother of two fleeing an abusive home. It's just that the age gap is slightly less than what I am used to.
I felt the ending was realistic but it's the first book of the author's extensive list that I would beg for a sequel.
Goodreads review published 27/08/23
June 8, 2012
This book didn't fail me, was a good story, but I hated the ending, it made me cry an ocean of tears. If the ending had been different, I may have given it 5 stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2008
Chasing Windmills is the story of Sebastian and Maria. They are both prisoners in their own lives, yet their situations couldn’t be more different. Sebastian lives an extremely sheltered life. He is home-schooled by his controlling father and he forbids any outside relationships. Maria is trapped in an abusive relationship, by the father of her two children.
Both escaping briefly, they meet on the subway train. Their relationship growing from just a quick glance to nightly meetings. Unable to deny the spark that they feel within for each other, they see falling in love as a chance to escape from it all.
I can’t seem to find the words to describe how I felt while I read this captivating tale. This was my first exposure to the writings of Catherine Ryan Hyde and it most certainly will not be my last. The story beautifully alternates between Sebastian’s and Maria’s perspectives. The characters themselves are perfectly flawed, and I couldn’t help but love them for their choices when they struggled so immensely. I was completely enraptured from the beginning and was so until the last page. I think I experienced every possible emotion while reading, and it only made the experience more enjoyable. Be prepared for an unbelievable story, you may shed a tear or more, I know I did, but it is well worth it. Catherine Ryan Hyde has an unbelievable talent for writing and creating a story with such depth and meaning, I know it will be one I will not soon forget.
Both escaping briefly, they meet on the subway train. Their relationship growing from just a quick glance to nightly meetings. Unable to deny the spark that they feel within for each other, they see falling in love as a chance to escape from it all.
I can’t seem to find the words to describe how I felt while I read this captivating tale. This was my first exposure to the writings of Catherine Ryan Hyde and it most certainly will not be my last. The story beautifully alternates between Sebastian’s and Maria’s perspectives. The characters themselves are perfectly flawed, and I couldn’t help but love them for their choices when they struggled so immensely. I was completely enraptured from the beginning and was so until the last page. I think I experienced every possible emotion while reading, and it only made the experience more enjoyable. Be prepared for an unbelievable story, you may shed a tear or more, I know I did, but it is well worth it. Catherine Ryan Hyde has an unbelievable talent for writing and creating a story with such depth and meaning, I know it will be one I will not soon forget.
July 3, 2021
This is the second book that I have read by this author and I did not like this book as well as I liked the first book that I read by her. I did enjoy reading about Sebastian and his life but I knew that the story would not have a happy ending. Maria had a terrible life until she met Sabastian, and together they escaped to a better place. Hopefully both of their futures will be brighter. My favorite character in the book was Delilah, she was a delight.
February 3, 2021
Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors! I have read all of her newer books and decided to re-wind back to earlier books and the ones I missed. CHASING WINDMILLS hooked me from the first page to the ending. I purchased the audiobook which was perfect for my morning walks, exercising working, and running errands.
Narrators Jesse Bernstein and Amber Sealey both were outstanding.
Hyde has a gift and a rare talent for her multi-generational, coming of age heartwarming stories and unexpected connections. I am trying to take a bit of a break from thrillers and reading more historical books and lighter books during the pandemic. CHASING WINDMILLS did the trick.
I fell in love with Sebastian (the young guy age 17 - his dad was very controlling) and he escapes at night to ride the subway while his dad is sleeping; his only escape. He meets a young mother, Maria on the subway, also riding to escape her abusive live-in boyfriend. Both are trying to escape their controlling home environment and find friendship in one another.
Sebastian's neighbor, Delilah (loved her), a middle-aged elderly woman who becomes his best friend, and introduces him to things of the world. Like the simple joys of life like eating pizza, going to movies, and reading books that his dad does not approve of. He has been so sheltered from the outside world. He turns to her to tell her of his dad's controlling ways, and the mystery behind his mom. His dad says she died but did she?
He discovers he has a grandmother and finds a way to reach out to her through his neighbor Delilah. All the while, he is able to reach Maria and the two set out to leave their controlling homes and start a new life. However, Maria is hiding some things from Sebastian which may in the end link to a connection with Sebastian's mother. They have more in common than they may know.
A beautiful coming of age tale and matters of the heart. If you enjoyed Catherine Ryan Hyde's "My Name Is Anton" and "Have You Seen Luis Velez?" (two of my favorites), you are assured to fall in love with CHASING WINDMILLS. There is always a lesson to be learned! If you are looking for another favorite, I also highly recommend, "Take Me With You."
#JDCMustReadBooks
Narrators Jesse Bernstein and Amber Sealey both were outstanding.
Hyde has a gift and a rare talent for her multi-generational, coming of age heartwarming stories and unexpected connections. I am trying to take a bit of a break from thrillers and reading more historical books and lighter books during the pandemic. CHASING WINDMILLS did the trick.
I fell in love with Sebastian (the young guy age 17 - his dad was very controlling) and he escapes at night to ride the subway while his dad is sleeping; his only escape. He meets a young mother, Maria on the subway, also riding to escape her abusive live-in boyfriend. Both are trying to escape their controlling home environment and find friendship in one another.
Sebastian's neighbor, Delilah (loved her), a middle-aged elderly woman who becomes his best friend, and introduces him to things of the world. Like the simple joys of life like eating pizza, going to movies, and reading books that his dad does not approve of. He has been so sheltered from the outside world. He turns to her to tell her of his dad's controlling ways, and the mystery behind his mom. His dad says she died but did she?
He discovers he has a grandmother and finds a way to reach out to her through his neighbor Delilah. All the while, he is able to reach Maria and the two set out to leave their controlling homes and start a new life. However, Maria is hiding some things from Sebastian which may in the end link to a connection with Sebastian's mother. They have more in common than they may know.
A beautiful coming of age tale and matters of the heart. If you enjoyed Catherine Ryan Hyde's "My Name Is Anton" and "Have You Seen Luis Velez?" (two of my favorites), you are assured to fall in love with CHASING WINDMILLS. There is always a lesson to be learned! If you are looking for another favorite, I also highly recommend, "Take Me With You."
#JDCMustReadBooks
October 22, 2009
This was an incredible tale of finding love and identity. I was so enthralled by the relationships, and the issues, and the simplicity of it. There’s no huge plot twists, nothing to confuse you- it’s just a love story. But it’s probably one of the best I’ve ever read.
Maria and Sebastian, or Tony- as Maria likes to call him (a reference to West Side Story) have a very interesting relationship. They just happened upon each other on the subway train, and all it took was a glance between them and they were caught. It was so fast-paced, but it fit. There are very few stories that can pull off instant chemistry like that, and Chasing Windmills is definitely one of them.
I wasn‘t too crazy about the ending, but that’s just because I’m a huge sap and prefer happy, joyous, complete conclusions. Not to say that this ending wasn’t good, because it was. It was very justified and real, and I don’t like to spoil things but I’ll just say that Sebastian and Maria were finally coming to terms with real life.
There were a lot of loose strings that hadn’t been tied up. An epilogue explaining what had happened to Sebastian’s estranged father, or what the future held for Sebastian and Maria, if they ever found each other again, would’ve been calming. Catherine Ryan Hyde leaves it to the imagination, which isn’t bad, but like I said- I’m a sap, I enjoy a little happiness!
Wrapping this up, I highly recommend checking this one out. Despite my little rant, it really is a gorgeous tale of first love, and it’ll have you swooning and sighing and crying and you get the point.
Maria and Sebastian, or Tony- as Maria likes to call him (a reference to West Side Story) have a very interesting relationship. They just happened upon each other on the subway train, and all it took was a glance between them and they were caught. It was so fast-paced, but it fit. There are very few stories that can pull off instant chemistry like that, and Chasing Windmills is definitely one of them.
I wasn‘t too crazy about the ending, but that’s just because I’m a huge sap and prefer happy, joyous, complete conclusions. Not to say that this ending wasn’t good, because it was. It was very justified and real, and I don’t like to spoil things but I’ll just say that Sebastian and Maria were finally coming to terms with real life.
There were a lot of loose strings that hadn’t been tied up. An epilogue explaining what had happened to Sebastian’s estranged father, or what the future held for Sebastian and Maria, if they ever found each other again, would’ve been calming. Catherine Ryan Hyde leaves it to the imagination, which isn’t bad, but like I said- I’m a sap, I enjoy a little happiness!
Wrapping this up, I highly recommend checking this one out. Despite my little rant, it really is a gorgeous tale of first love, and it’ll have you swooning and sighing and crying and you get the point.
November 5, 2009
Well this a collossal waste of time and paper. Had I but read the binding so I could have known. Mistake. Two one dimensional, pathetic and completely undeveloped and uninteresting people meet or rather glance at each other across a subway; she in her mid 20s, living with a stereotypical abusive bleep, he, several years younger (seventeen - yuck!) living with a completely evil dad who defies any level of complexity or realisticness; their eyes meet and wham. Anyway the odds are stacked against them since she has two kids and he is not legal. So apparently this is meant to be a modern day West Side story in that at least in west side story only one instead of both of them die (romoe and Juliet), well frankly while in this story the improvement was meant to be that they both live to see the ending, I actually think killing off the both of them would have been the one thing to look forward to. What a horribly written, immature and stupid book.
September 16, 2008
Hmmmm.....didn't really expect it to have a happy ending since it's written by the same author as "pay it forward", but I did anticipate a deeper story than I feel like I got. It's one of those "yeah, so this doesn't have a happy ending, but life is hard, so get used to it" kind of books. I tend to be an "escapist" reader and am not all that interested in reading books with an unfulfilling ending. . . it leaves me feeling "cheated". =)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2019
I have enjoyed many novels by this author, because she is a great storyteller. This book, Chasing Windmills, just did not hit the mark for me. I had trouble getting past the 2 protagonists, Sebastian and Maria, age 17 and 22, meeting on a subway at night and falling in love. Once I was able to overlook that point, I enjoyed the telling of the story in alternating viewpoints between Sebastian and Maria. I thought the character development of these 2 characters and a neighbor, Delilah, were quite good. Overall the novel seemed rushed, with parts of the story glossed over. The ending seemed abrupt to me. I rate this book 3 stars.
A different book by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I really enjoyed, is the more recent publication, Allie and Bea.
A different book by Catherine Ryan Hyde that I really enjoyed, is the more recent publication, Allie and Bea.
July 22, 2009
I think what I liked most about this story is that it doesn't end happy and neatly tied up. But it doesn't end tragically either, and though you half expect it to (with the references to Romeo & Juliet and West Side Story), in the back of your head you know that it might be sad, but it will be manageable.
What is also great about this story is how the characters grow into better versions of themselves as they go through some timultuous changes. The love story between them is second to their coming to understand themselves, and coming to know their own strength in the face of extreme difficulty (and danger). A satisfying read.
What is also great about this story is how the characters grow into better versions of themselves as they go through some timultuous changes. The love story between them is second to their coming to understand themselves, and coming to know their own strength in the face of extreme difficulty (and danger). A satisfying read.
January 8, 2009
This was a terrific book, written in a very conversational style. It was a fast read, and very absorbing - the kind of book where you keep reading long after you should be sleeping. It's a modern day Romeo & Juliet type of story (but not exactly) with a battered woman theme - very well done.
I really want to read more of Catherine Ryan Hyde's stuff now, thinking of starting with Pay It Forward since I loved the film so much. I'd love recommendations tho, on any of her others anyone particularly loved.
I really want to read more of Catherine Ryan Hyde's stuff now, thinking of starting with Pay It Forward since I loved the film so much. I'd love recommendations tho, on any of her others anyone particularly loved.
September 13, 2015
This is my first Catherine Ryan Hyde book and it won't be my last. I adored her 17-year-old hero, his best friend. While I didn't really "get" the heroine, I loved the heart of the story. It was a deep, meaty tale.
September 17, 2008
I managed to finish this one, but never really enjoyed it that much and didn't really care about the characters as much as I wished I had.
August 23, 2018
Hard to rate. I just couldn't get past the idea of an underage boy and a mother of two in her twenties as Romeo and Juliet.
June 10, 2022
I always enjoy books by this author, and this one, an earlier work, has distinctive voices, more than most books.
Sebastian, who we meet first, lives with an overbearing father who is so restrictive and demanding, that the teen has no real life outside the home. On the subway late one night, he runs into Maria, a young mother, unmarried but living with an abusive father to her 2 children. This is the story of young love and escaping into life, in this case. It's riveting and the reader doesn't know what will happen next along the way. Can these two inexperienced-at-life people find peace and themselves?
There are a couple side characters in the book that are truly loveable. There is plenty of tension.
Sebastian, who we meet first, lives with an overbearing father who is so restrictive and demanding, that the teen has no real life outside the home. On the subway late one night, he runs into Maria, a young mother, unmarried but living with an abusive father to her 2 children. This is the story of young love and escaping into life, in this case. It's riveting and the reader doesn't know what will happen next along the way. Can these two inexperienced-at-life people find peace and themselves?
There are a couple side characters in the book that are truly loveable. There is plenty of tension.
April 13, 2021
Being a fan of West Side Story I enjoyed all the references to the movie throughout this book. I found it difficult to get my head around a 22 year old with two kids, running away with a 17 year old boy, she’d only met a few times on the subway!! Once again I enjoyed CRH’s writing style, with each chapter telling Maria’s and then Sebastian’s story.
July 21, 2021
This is a new author for me and a book I only picked to fit a challenge. The narrative follow Sebastian and Maria, two people with more than their share of problems. It retells the storyline of West Side Story and therefore Romeo and Juliet. The narrative is well told, the pace is great and the characterisation good. Another author to follow maybe
September 25, 2022
Ryan Hyde is a true storyteller .she makes you aware of her character's pain on the first pages.
She tells a modern version of Romeo and Juliet on the American subway -with another Tony and Maire.
A good ending -the Girl gets freedom with her babies, the Guy gets freedom too.
But now what you're expecting..good end.
She tells a modern version of Romeo and Juliet on the American subway -with another Tony and Maire.
A good ending -the Girl gets freedom with her babies, the Guy gets freedom too.
But now what you're expecting..good end.
March 28, 2023
Superb. Strongly recommended.
May 2, 2021
Read for a book group - far too sentimental for me, as well as being improbable in the extreme.
September 3, 2021
I loved this story having experienced a range of emotions. I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out but was sad when it finished. Look forward to more books by Catherine Ryan Hyde
August 1, 2017
Eine wunderschöne Story gespickt mit Lebensweisheiten.
May 17, 2008
One fateful night, a young man and woman meet on the subway. Few words are exchanged, yet a powerful connection is forged. Each is trying to escape their life, the boy Sebastian from a controlling father and the woman Maria from her controlling boyfriend. But the first time their eyes meet, they fall in love. Their nightly subway rides provide refuge from their unsatisfying lives, and soon a dream is born: Maria and Sebastian, now nicknamed Tony, plan to move to the Mojave Desert to start a new life. But Maria hasn’t told Tony/Sebastian about her history, complicating their lives even farther. But their plans have already been made, and Maria feels compelled to follow through.
Chasing Windmills is a beautiful retelling of West Side Story, although a much more hopeful one. I really fell in love with this story, especially the strong connection between Maria and Sebastian. Their bond was so strong that even though they didn’t really know each other that well, they could predict each other’s thoughts. Both Maria and Sebastian were well-developed characters and I sometimes felt I was inside their heads; the story was that realistic.
I really enjoyed how Chasing Windmills was more optimistic than West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet and the self journeys Maria and Sebastian went through. The story was truly unforgettable and I had a hard time putting the book down. I definitely recommend it, especially to fans of unique love stories, and I look forward to reading more of the talented Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novels.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
Chasing Windmills is a beautiful retelling of West Side Story, although a much more hopeful one. I really fell in love with this story, especially the strong connection between Maria and Sebastian. Their bond was so strong that even though they didn’t really know each other that well, they could predict each other’s thoughts. Both Maria and Sebastian were well-developed characters and I sometimes felt I was inside their heads; the story was that realistic.
I really enjoyed how Chasing Windmills was more optimistic than West Side Story and Romeo and Juliet and the self journeys Maria and Sebastian went through. The story was truly unforgettable and I had a hard time putting the book down. I definitely recommend it, especially to fans of unique love stories, and I look forward to reading more of the talented Catherine Ryan Hyde’s novels.
reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com
August 31, 2011
This book was a fun read because a lot of it is based in the city, and the 14th street subway station is an important scene in the book. Each of the characters is in a different type of abusive relationship, but both have been isolated and haven’t been able to experience much of the world. These complete strangers find themselves riding the subway from end to end, and an intense attraction is immediate from their first glance at each other.
Eventually, this book is about a coming-of-age, both premature and overdue. The book alternates between each character’s point of view, and each one brings a different perspective and a different personality. Interestingly enough, I can’t really relate much with either of the characters so I am an ‘outsider’ reading each character’s narrative and seeing the story unfold. It’s a very good book.
Lessons Learned: People are versatile creatures, able to endure the toughest situations. If you stay open to the possibilities, life can bring you some very unique encounters and experiences that lead to something new. Being passive about decisions in your life, by letting ‘the chips fall where they may’, is a way of making decisions. It’s important to take control and don’t let circumstances and other people make decisions for you.
Eventually, this book is about a coming-of-age, both premature and overdue. The book alternates between each character’s point of view, and each one brings a different perspective and a different personality. Interestingly enough, I can’t really relate much with either of the characters so I am an ‘outsider’ reading each character’s narrative and seeing the story unfold. It’s a very good book.
Lessons Learned: People are versatile creatures, able to endure the toughest situations. If you stay open to the possibilities, life can bring you some very unique encounters and experiences that lead to something new. Being passive about decisions in your life, by letting ‘the chips fall where they may’, is a way of making decisions. It’s important to take control and don’t let circumstances and other people make decisions for you.
Read
July 16, 2008Hyde, who wrote Pay It Forward among other things, has a very interesting voice. Chasing Windmills is a sort of modern, realistic fairy tale where happily ever after isn't exactly what you think it's going to be, but it's satisfying nonetheless.
Sebastian, isolated teenager aching for the outside world, and Maria, a
twentysomething mother of 2 and an abused wife meet late one night on a subway train. Chemistry? Destiny? Something clicks between these two and they begin a strange, illicit affair of sorts while carefully maintaining the day-to-day lies that their "real" lives have become. Then a stray comment from a kindly neighbor of Sebastian's leads to some startling revelations that upheave and forever change the lives of these somewhat starcrossed lovers (there is much allusion to West Side Story in the book). Well worth the read.
-Jackie B
Sebastian, isolated teenager aching for the outside world, and Maria, a
twentysomething mother of 2 and an abused wife meet late one night on a subway train. Chemistry? Destiny? Something clicks between these two and they begin a strange, illicit affair of sorts while carefully maintaining the day-to-day lies that their "real" lives have become. Then a stray comment from a kindly neighbor of Sebastian's leads to some startling revelations that upheave and forever change the lives of these somewhat starcrossed lovers (there is much allusion to West Side Story in the book). Well worth the read.
-Jackie B
May 13, 2008
Hyde, who wrote Pay It Forward among other things, has a very interesting voice. Chasing Windmills is a sort of modern, realistic fairy tale where happily ever after isn't exactly what you think it's going to be, but it's satisfying
nonetheless.
Sebastian, isolated teenager aching for the outside world, and Maria, a twentysomething mother of 2 and an abused wife meet late one night on a subway train. Chemistry? Destiny? Something clicks between these two and
they begin a strange, illicit affair of sorts while carefully maintaining the day-to-day lies that their "real" lives have become. Then a stray comment from a kindly
neighbor of Sebastian's leads to some startling revelations that upheave and forever change the lives of these somewhat starcrossed lovers (there is much allusion to West Side Story in the book). Well worth the read.
nonetheless.
Sebastian, isolated teenager aching for the outside world, and Maria, a twentysomething mother of 2 and an abused wife meet late one night on a subway train. Chemistry? Destiny? Something clicks between these two and
they begin a strange, illicit affair of sorts while carefully maintaining the day-to-day lies that their "real" lives have become. Then a stray comment from a kindly
neighbor of Sebastian's leads to some startling revelations that upheave and forever change the lives of these somewhat starcrossed lovers (there is much allusion to West Side Story in the book). Well worth the read.
December 17, 2018
A simple story about how love can save people even without giving them a "happy ending" in the traditional fairy tale sense.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 360 reviews