No Address: A Novel

by Ken Abraham

No Address, written by New York Times bestselling author Ken Abraham, is a novel based on the soon-to-be-released theatrical film starring William Baldwin, Ashanti, Xander Berkeley, Lucas Jade Zumann, and Ty Pennington. It vividly portrays how homelessness can happen to anyone.Lauren's favorite childhood pastime was capturing special moments with her loving mother on her Polaroid camera. Then, at nine years old, Lauren’s life is dramatically altered when she witnesses the tragic and unexpected death of her mother, sending her into the foster care system. After many lonely years, Lauren graduates from high school. As she proudly walks home with her high school diploma, she finds her belongings from her foster care home stuffed into trash bags and left outside the front door. Unsure of where to go, she falls asleep on the doorstep, awakening to the harsh reality that she has no address. Navigating the merciless streets, she soon meets Jimmy, a kind-hearted runaway. Jimmy teaches Lauren survival skills he has grown accustomed to after escaping his father's violent abuse. He introduces her to an unconventional family forged on the Harris, a gifted painter and battle-scarred veteran; Dora, a once-glimmering actress now battling her mind; and Violet, also a Veteran fighting her own wars with addiction. Harris champions his street family to get their lives back as they are constantly warding off a harassing gang, unforgiving community, and local authorities. Robert, a once-successful businessman in the throes of financial ruin due to his gambling addiction, is desperate to take back the land the street family lives on for a prosperous development project. Soon Robert’s family will have to face the reality of his own financial nightmare and may even need help from those he once despised. No Address offers hope, humanity, and resilience as these characters navigate the stormy challenges of life with no physical address. It vividly portrays that homelessness could happen to anyone. Inspired by true events, this film is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the transformative power of community.

Genres: Fiction

384 pages, Hardcover

Published September 10, 2024

About the author

Ken Abraham is a New York Times best-selling author, known around the world for his collaborations with popular celebrities and fascinating, high-profile public figures. Ken worked with Lisa Beamer, widow of United Flight 93 hero, Todd Beamer to create the number one New York Times best-seller, LET'S ROLL! (Tyndale House Publishers, August, 2002), Lisa's story of hope in the midst of crisis.

Ken recently penned RACING TO WIN (Multnomah, 2002), with Joe Gibbs, former coach of the Washington Redskins and now owner of Joe Gibbs Racing, winner of the 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Championship, with driver, Tony Stewart, and the 2000 Winston Cup Championship, with Joe Gibbs driver, Bobby Labonte.

In addition, Ken wrote THE RIGHT THING (Integrity Publishers, 2003), with Scott Waddle, the former Navy commander who brought his submarine up under a Japanese fishing boat on February 8, 2001, killing nine people. Commander Waddle's insistence that he is responsible and accountable for the accident, despite evidence that proves others were at fault, surprised a world that has become accustomed to leaders attempting to deflect blame away from themselves.

Ken's collaborations have been featured on ABC-TV's "20-20," NBC-TV's "Dateline," CNN's "Larry King Live," "Good Morning America" (ABC), The CBS "Morning Show," "The Today Show" (NBC), The [former] Nashville Network, and the Family Channel.

Drug-running, catastrophic death, AIDS, cancer, spousal abuse, imprisonment, and child abandonment . . . are just a few of the tough topics about which Ken Abraham has co-written books in recent years. Said one commentator, "Ken Abraham gets more heart on paper than any co-writer in America. His books offer genuine hope for people going through the darkest of circumstances."

For instance, Ken co-authored PAYNE STEWART, THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY, with Tracey Stewart. A thirteen-week New York Times bestseller, the book chronicles the life of one of the most famous professional golfers ever to grace the links. Known for his wit, charm, and sartorial splendor, including his colorful knickers and tam 'o shanter hats, Payne Stewart always left an impression. On October 25, 1999, the country watched on "live" television as Payne and five others streaked 1,400 miles across the nation in a Learjet with a dead pilot at the controls, finally crashing in a field in South Dakota. With Payne's wife, Tracey, Ken Abraham once again succeeded in telling a powerful, poignant story in a way that provides hope rather than despair.

In COMING CLEAN (WaterBrook - Doubleday- Random House), Ken's collaboration with former Medellin drug cartel leader, Jorge Valdés, provided an inside look at one of the most powerful and corrupting forces in our society-the cocaine industry and its influence on top government officials, Hollywood celebrities, as well as kids in the streets. The transformation of Jorge Valdés from the American head of the cartel to a Christian evangelist is a compelling and fascinating testimony of God's power to change anyone's life.

Ken also collaborated with professional golfer, Paul Azinger, whose rise to the top of the PGA tour, only to discover cancer in his shoulder, and his remarkable recovery and comeback are recorded in ZINGER! (Harper-Collins / Zondervan; 1995). Additionally, Ken has co-authored THE GAMER, the baseball autobiography of All-Star catcher, Gary Carter (Word Publishing).

In THE BURDEN OF A SECRET, (Random House / Ballantine, 1995), Ken collaborated with Dr. Jimmy Allen, former president of the 16-million member Southern Baptist Convention, to tell the story of Dr. Allen's family crisis as they discovered truth and mercy in the face of AIDS. The book was a finalist in the 1996 Evangelical Christian Publisher's Association's Gold Medallion Awards.

Ken co-authored the bestseller, I WAS WRONG, a book with Jim Bakker, former PTL president and televangelist, in which for the first time, the fallen preacher reveals his side o

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Compelling. Worthwhile read. Offers some avenues for serious consideration. A bit simplistic, though.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many people look at the homeless population in this country and quickly think that they must be addicts or criminals, that they are dangerous and just need to get a job to get out of their current circumstances. No Address is based on real people who are homeless and gives an entirely different view of why and how people got into this lifestyle. I guarantee that you'll view the homeless differently after you read this book. I know that I do!

This book looks at a small group of people who ended up on the streets:

-Lauren - who went into the foster system at 9 when her mother died and is now 18 and aged out of the system
-Jimmy - who left an abusive home after continuous threats from his father
-Harris - a gifted painter and a veteran who couldn't get the help he needed
-Violet - a veteran with PTSD who has become an addict to deal with her pain
-Dora - a former actress who has mental illness and lives in the past.

Due to their varied circumstances, these people ended up on the streets but they became a family as they struggled in their lives - struggled to find food, to find safety and protection. They learn to protect each other and help deal with a harassing gang, unforgiving community, and local authorities. There is also a local businessman who is trying to get rid of their camp so that he can put a building in that location but he soon finds out that it's often just one step away to end up homeless. One scene in the book was very mind-opening. Jimmy was trying to get a job and his resume was tossed aside because he had no address. How many of the homeless meet this same roadblock to changing their lives. There are many groups and churches working very hard to alleviate this problem and to help people find a safe place to live.

[traci denson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the most raw and touching novels that I have EVER read!

Last weekend,I was on the way into work and had my radio on news talk radio(95.5 out of ATL) as I usually have on when driving,when I heard an interview with Ken Abraham about this novel.I knew I needed to read it and so I downloaded it and read it , everyone really needs to read this!Because as humans, we all tend to judge what we've never walked through.This novel reminds us that we ALL struggle with something and that alone should unite us instead of divide us!It costs nothing to be kind to others and also realize that but for God anyone of us could very easily be in this same place...Very much worth the read!!!

[Andre Stone · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a great read. The characters have no depth or personality. The author makes them all sound like professors. There is no slang, no dialects, and not one swear word in the entire book. It's like this book was written just to prop up a bad movie promoting a Christian savior narrative complete with awkward dialogue that no normal people use.

I feel like the book and the movie don't paint a realistic picture of the misery of homelessness. Once it became apparent that nothing interesting was going to happen, I lost interest and sped through the last 300 pages.

[BEth Coulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been a long time since I couldn't put a book down and read it in two days. Being interested in the homeless for many years, I still learned so much about homelessness can happen to the best of us. This book made the people on the streets we see every day on every corner come alive. We can all do more and be more understanding. Can't wait to see the movie and tell others to read the book, asap.

[Dave Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent snapshot of real people experiencing homelessness.

Homelessness is very complex. This short novel provides a glimpse into the lives of people in desperate circumstances. We see hundreds of people at the Mission every day who carry burdens we can’t begin to imagine. I hope this book and the movie to be released soon will open doors for those seeking help while encouraging others to lend a hand.

[Mary Gilmour · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Address shows a true picture of how many people become homeless and the struggles to get off the streets. It shows how it can happen to anyone . It also gives suggestions at the end of the book on how people can help.

[Julie Toole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book was like reading a script or a young adult book. It’s not a great literary experience. Even though the writing was subpar, the storyline was good.

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rounded up probably to a 2.5. I liked the book but think the movie will be better.

[Jeff Lenhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful and inspiring book, and very realistic to the struggles that displaced individuals face every single day. I can't wait for the movie to be released on February 28, 2025!!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great insight into something that could happen to anyone.