Harley, Like a Person

Harley Columba #1

by Cat Bauer

Who is my father? That's the difficult question faced by Harley Columba, the feisty 14-year-old narrator of Cat Bauer's debut novel.

Harley lives in a suburb less than an hour from New York City, but it might as well be "four zillion light years away". She's sure she's adopted, since there's no way those "two psychos" -- as she calls her abusive father and bitter mother -- could be her parents. Harley tabulates the differences: her eyes blue, their eyes brown; her interest in poetry and painting, their dog-eared stacks of romance novels and Popular Mechanics.

Harley's life changes radically after she finds a note signed "Papa loves you forever and a day". As things deteriorate at home, Harley's grades slide and she starts hanging with a wild crowd. As life closes in on her, Harley's search for her "real father" takes her to New York City and the truth at last.

Tough, funny, and refreshingly honest, Harley (like a person) is a compelling story of mothers, fathers, daughters, and the healing power of living authentically.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Romance, Teen

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2000

About the author

Creator of Harley Columba

Reviews

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best things I ever wrote.

[Sonya Huser · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I'm over the YA problem novel. Harley is 14. Her father is an alcoholic, she's drinking, smoking, smoking pot, sneaking out, fighting with her best friend, skipping class, quitting band, getting bad grades, dating a drug dealer, and to top it all off, she's pretty sure she's adopted but is having a hard time proving it.
Is it bad I don't feel any compassion for her? Honestly, I just felt bored.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

The protagonist is not an android or alien or anything else weird.

I realize this is not the author's fault. I misunderstood somehow. Possibly I was thinking of When Harlie Was One.

[Jade · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just sat here for an hour writing a damn review and my computer deleted it all.
So you know what?! I'm not even going to type up all the points I made about how fucking horrible this damn book was. Excuse my language I'm extremely frustrated right now.
This book is a piece of shit.
I wish I could give this thing 0 stars.
It's the worst book I ever read in my entire life. And that is being compared to Twilight and the House of the Night series and every book I thought was horrible until I read this one.
Hell! This book is worse than all of those put together!
I might as well make every book on my account have a higher rating because this book makes them all seem a whole hell of a lot better.
That's how horrible this was.
The only reason I finished this book is because my friend gave it to me saying it was really good. It never ever got any good.
I'm so glad I'm finished it so I can move on to a better book.
So here's how it is:
1) The main character, Harley, is the brattiest, bitchiest, most immature, self involved character I've ever seen. I had no sympathy for her at all.
2) She treats people horribly and doesn't show any respect.
3) THe author changes setting practically every page.
4) There is no detail.
5) The plot is completely horrible.
6) Harley's friends are all bitches.
7) Harley is one of those girls who think she is in love after an hour of dating the guy. Get real!
She's all "I'm hopelessly in love with one guy one day and the other the next..." Yadda Yadda Yadda.
Houw stupid.
8) The characters smoke weed and just smoke in general too much for my liking.
9) The guy she likes was a complete douchebag and treated her like shit, and she still liked him for awhile.
10) The guy she ends up with is a horrible person.
11) The cover is even ugly.
12) She tells this guy her dad beats her when he only hit her once in the book for lying to her parent about where she was going, getting drunk, getting high, and being a delinquent. She deserved it if you ask me.
13) She always says how her parents are horrible when her parents are actually really loving, caring people.
14) Harley is always complaining. She complained about something every other paragraph.
15) In the beginning part of the book, Harley is under the bed hiding from her parents so they think she's running away again. Three words: WHAT THE HELL?! If you're going to just come back out and eat dinner why are you hiding under the bed in the first place.
16) She complains about eating with her family. I love having family dinners.
17) In the beginning part, she says how they think she's run away again. Why has she tried to run away? Her life is not that bad. In fact her life is not bad at all. Period.
18) Harley associates eveything with stupid immature crap and it's completely unecessary.
19) Harley constantly wonders why her parents yell at her when she goes out and disobeys them. HELLO!! Apparently your not supposed to get a punishment when you disobey your parents these days.
20) She says she's so smart, yet she get all C's and one B on her report card.
21) She's so smart (yeah right) she never even tries.
22) She's so smart she think that two brown eyed parents can't have an offspring with blue eyes. Hello! Punnett squares! Genealogy! I learned about that stuff in fifth grade and still remember it. If she's that smart (sarcasm) she should know that.
23) She overexaggerates things way too often.
24) She is always talking about art when in reality she knows nothing about art.

I'm sorry for all the grammar errors. I'm still extremely frustrated with this book.
Plus there's way too many points I could add. It could go on forever. But I have a life.

[Hambread · Rating 2 out of 5]

Harley, like a person is a very captivating book. It captures the essence of teenage angst at its very worst and shows it relentlessly through the unfortunate heroine, Harley. In a nutshell, she has parental issues, knows she’s adopted, has a major crush, hates her major crush’s crush, gets into an argument with friends and doesn’t have a spring ball partner. From my perspective she possess very stereotypical problems a teenage girl has in this media centered society. I could understand her pains, but being the opposite sex I find it hard to relate to her and at times annoyed at her. I could not really enjoy the book because I do not possess the mentality of angst, adolescent female like other readers.
The aspect which made me wince the most was the first person narration of the book. Reading increasingly flamboyant thoughts made me feel very awkward. For example, “Guess who is at Deli, Prudence Clarke. Guess who is setting next to her, [my major crush:] Johnny…Prudence is blond, another reason why I don’t like blonds…and she’s hanging all over him, give me a break” (35). The narration caused the bulk of the story let off a sense of fakeness because her diction resembled a typical superficial, “bitchy”, gossiping character from a modern television show. I found it increasingly uncomfortable as I submerged deeper and deeper into Harley’s mind. This narration also broke Harley as a character instead of making her because I felt that it caused the character to fall under the huge category of “typical teenagers”. I know the book is meant for us to relate to, but without a certain level of uniqueness it looses its appeal.
Besides her tone and diction, I found the progression of the story very predictable. There were good foreshadowing, but twists were too typical and with a lack of mind-blowing turns the story became stagnant despite more and more issues and conflicts being added. Twists like her original crush turning out to be a prick, or ending up in an argument with her best friend, or getting a better, cooler boyfriend, or her real dad is also a prick didn’t strike me as plot turners. Besides the ‘twists’, other readers besides myself found the storyline is too forced and unrealistic. For example she believes that “searching for her long lost father is her last hope” (cover) and that he would improve her life. Upon arriving at her real dad, Sean’s neighborhood, she thought to herself “I could live here. I could start a new life…Sean would make everything all right, I’m sure” (287). At that “climax”, I felt as though it was a big let down because the story was continuing in a non-logical and non-realistic direction; with logical thinking someone would conclude that a man who slept with your mother and another women, impregnating both, and then running away (whatever the reason) would probably not be responsible, let alone take care of you in a new life. I admire Harley’s courage to seek out her real father, but the expectations she had were too unrealistic.
In my heart I knew the book was very well written and captivating. There are many people who suffer like Harley and, through her ordeals, touch the hearts of many. However I could not enjoy the book because I could not put myself in Harley’s shoe, thus failing to relate to her. I do believe this book would be amazing for people who, unlike me, can understand the pains of Harley.

[Gene Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about a 14 year old girl named Harley Columba who think's she's adopted. She goes through a lot to find proof that she's adopted. She has an abusive father and a mean mother. She find a doll in this attic place in her room that she's not suppose to be in and it had a little letter attached to it that was from her father (real father). Through the book she experiences relationships w/ this crazy boy she was dating, hardships w/ her parents and best friend, and drugs/alcohol. Towards the end she finds her real father, because she found notes from him and her mother in her mother's old high school yearbook. He was hesitant but accepted her and explained everything. She also finds out that her best friend is also her half-sister.
LIKES: I liked how this book was from a teenage perspective and show's things that students, such as Harley, go through. I feel if the main character/narrator is coming from a teen prospective, i grabs my interest more and makes it easier for me to connect to the story. I also liked the plot of the story, because there was constantly suspense being built throughout the entirety of the story. I would recommend this book to anybody.
DISLIKES: The only thing I think I didn't like about the book was that it didn't give much detail of what happened afterwards. I would of a least wanted a quick page of what happened afterwards. All it really says is that she didn't tell her best friend yet, because it wasn't the right time for it. But besides that the book was pretty cool.
~Eugene Pate

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the subject of the novel a lot; a teen trying to find who she is is an interesting read. However, I didnt really like Harley sometimes. Yes, she's funny. But she's also a little too dramatic and angsty. I found her annoying as a character. There were also a lot of cliches in the novel. Harley's home life is the ultimate cliche of an unhappy teen, which can work in some cases, but didnt in this case.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was one of the first young adult novels I ever read even I was about14. I instantly fell in love with it and still remember falling in love with "strawberry fields forever" by the Beatles because of that part of the book. awesome! I can't wait to read it again after do many years.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply touching novel! I read this years ago, but I've never forgotten Harley's story.

[Sophia A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major TW: abuse.

This is a pretty low reading level with a few snippets of simple but very powerful writing. It sort of felt like someone who normally writes for adults is writing for teens, but dumbed it down a little too much. It felt very disconnected, like halfway through it became a totally different book. But both halves were good, so I didn't hate it.

The character development is excellent, but only in the main character. The two love interests were satisfactory, although just a little too golden boy vs. bad boy for my taste.

I'm not going to lie: the ending was pretty bad. There's the development of a mystery: who is Harley's dad?? But you pretty much know the answer very early on, and then you're supposed to be surprised when it's "revealed" at the end. A bit disappointing.

Overall, not bad.

[Tsippora · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-read it after reading it YEARS ago and i still really like it! ❤

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harley is positive that the people she lives with aren't her real parents. She refers to them as that "drunken dragon and his fire-breathing wife." One day, she finds a doll with a note pinned to it ... a note NOT in the dragon's handwriting. It says "Papa loves you forever and a day." That couldn't possibly be something the dragon would write. And she becomes obsessed with finding the mysterious note writer. Suddenly, academics don't mean much to her and grades drop dramatically. She alienates her best friend and hooks up with a drug-dealing crowd. The one thing she doesn't abandon is her art and that may be just what saves her.

[Lisa Calvert]

in a sentence: 14 year old Harley Columba is your average well-liked, smart, and charismatic teen. Until she realizes she is probably adopted, starts drinking and doing drugs, and loses her best friend. Did I mention her home life sucks too?

Harley faces some real struggles in this novel. While some of them might not reach all teens (feeling adopted, physical abuse, etc.), I feel that the emotions and the way she deals with them are very true to the young adult experience. As the adult reader, I could sense things coming, that lying only makes things worse, and all of those words of wisdom that come from making the wrong choices like Harley. She uses art as her escape from the world, and so creates an incredibly healthy and beautiful outlet which sets a great example for young adults struggling with the difficult stuff in life. From the young adult perspective, Harley is someone we can identify with either though personal experience or through someone we know - and that really hits home with the reader.

While I liked the rawness of Harley and the writing, with her struggles, with having shreds of hope for her fall to the ground with yet ANOTHER bad choice, I don't feel this title is worthy of nomination. I got pretty bored during the middle of the novel from where she is sidetracked from her main goal from the beginning of finding her real father to where she gets on the bus to NY. Some of the middle of the novel served to show her downward spiral, her relationship with her mother, and the [seemingly pointless] relationship with Mrs. Tuttle, and to help the reader relate to Harley. However, I feel a vast majority of it was a waste of my time, and resulted in a rushed ending when she FINALLY finds her father in New York. The novel builds and builds to a rushed conclusion, which I found to be really disappointing. The conclusion in itself was very realistic and in tune with the rest of the book, but ultimately disappointing from a literary standpoint.

Again - I feel that as far as characters to relate to and readability, the novel is great. Young Adults will connect with Harley and her struggles for sure. She makes bad choices, some good ones, and then more bad ones to create an awful situation for herself that many of us have been in before. The reader hopes for Harley, and walks beside her though her personal struggle which is a microcosm overshadowed by the alcoholic step-dad and crabby mom reality. However, the novel really lacked the necessary literary quality of a nominated title for me, because of the drawn out and somewhat plateaued middle of the book and the ending that just fell flat.

[T]

A somewhat unlikable narrator who continues to make mistake after mistake while trying to figure out her identity and struggling with her "good-girl" reputation. Partially in response to a verbally abusive father and a typically compliant mother, Harley struggles with her gut feeling that she is not really her father's daughter. Alternatingly strict and too permissive, her parents seem unable to control her as she spirals out of control. A page-turner, but lacking truly believable characters and situations. For a smart girl, Harley makes some pretty un-smart (and oddly selfish) decisions. Maybe "typical teenage angst", but hard to read.

[Jezza · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I read this, I thought it was a really unique story. Harley is viewed as a "troubled kid" who's passionate about art but not-so-good at regular subjects in school. Later on, when she finds out that her father isn't really her father, she finds her biological father and discovers who her half-sister is (her ex-best friend). I continued to read it, I realized that this was a book about her "growing up" and discovering herself. She's made a lot of mistakes, but in the end she realizes what's important her.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I read it while I was a teen because my best friend recommended it and I really enjoyed it then. I enjoyed it reading it again because it reminded me of my high school years and Harley is definitely a relate-able girl and could easily be a girl I went to school with. She goes through a journey of figuring our if she is adopted or not and on her way goes through typical things of an adolescent such as liking boys, fighting with siblings/parents and the ups and downs of puberty. I am glad I had my mom send me this one from home.

[Christine Labelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was afraid that this was going to be more of a book for younger teens and such but I actually enjoyed it. It pretty much was exactly what I went through in highschool. Thinking I loved a boy, the next week loved someone else. Basically all that she went through, was me. Except the silly dance 'cause I never went to one of those unless you count prom. I guess also the fact that Im not adopted but I sure felt like it sometimes! Overall it was a good book that I would recommend to others.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the way the author explores identify issues and the sense of not really being part of your family. It's pretty cool the way Harley uncovers the mystery of her past. It gets a little overwrought with a lot of other drama added to the central issue, but that's teendom for ya.

[Laura Leonard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Harley is fourteen and a very talented artist. She lives with her alcoholic father and hot tempered mother and is convinced that she is adopted. After finding a harlequin doll with a note from "Papa," she heads to New York City in search of her biological father.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thid book is about a girl who feels she is adopted, but her parents are not talking. She searches until she finds the real truth. It has a surprize twist to it. I loved it a nd feel the junior high kids will as well.

[Sarah Tilatitsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book talks aobut self-confidence and whatever self something there is. I could really connect with Harley, in a way. Just read it. You may feel what she is/was. JUST READ IT! PLEEAASSEEEEE? (yay!)☺ Look, just read it, becuase, one day...well, who knows what might happen?

[Debbie Hoskins · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I listened to this. I liked that she was an artist. I loved the part where she goes to the John Lennon memorial in Central Park. I've never gotten to visit it and would like to.

[KJ Shadows · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was 13 years old. I don't remember much except that I enjoyed it enough to name my cat Harley after this book. It also was a cute name I thought. I'm 24 years old and Harley the cat is still alive, and this book name still sticks in my mind.

[Jeevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very interesting. It is about a girl who learns that she had another father than the one she has now.

[Sharebear · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok

[Josue Aka · Rating 4 out of 5]

well this book is tense. it talks mainly bout a teenager emotional life. A teenager struggling with love and frustation. Its good to the last drop.

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever thought you were adopted? What if you found out that was true? This is a story, written truly for the YA audience, who feel out of place.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The opening chapters kind of turned me off, but something kept me reading. Good thing--I ended up really liking it by the end.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book so much. It is one of my all-time favorites! I like everything about it(:

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I forgot all about this book! And, I shouldn't have. It was fantastic! Such a great book for teenage girls trying to find their way. It's funny, sweet and sarcastic. I highly recommend!