What do you think?
Rate this book
Chasing the Mouse: A Memoir About Childhood Homelessness
We’ve all been there. Well, most of us. That childhood dream of the most magical place on earth. We’ve all dreamed of seeing the sparkling castle in real life and hugging our favorite characters. But what happens when that childhood dream really signifies something much more—an escape, a rising above the ashes? And then it’s dashed against the rocks of uncertainty? Of poverty and hopelessness? In this engaging, reflective, emotional true story, Nathan Monk takes you through the real life journey of a hopeful father struggling to hold his family together in an intimidating world of poverty and homelessness. Villains and evil witches lie in wait, ready to prey on their victims, while supportive sidekicks and fairy godmothers save the day in this remarkable tale of a child who rose from living in parking lots to becoming a widely recognized advocate for the homeless. Written partially from his perspective as a child, Nathan ties these stories back to current issues of social justice and the need for reform in the way we address poverty in America. A perfect blend of fairytale and in-depth expose, you’re invited on an intimate journey with Nathan and his family as his father attempts to follow through with his mythical promise of unifying his family, righting wrongs of the past, fighting against a clock as it quickly approaches midnight, and Chasing the Mouse. Overflowing with passion, this touching, needed story will inspire you to reach for your own dreams, knowing that no matter the obstacles, no matter the risk, dreams really can come true … if you just believe.
- GenresNonfiction
95 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 5, 2015
32 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 19, 2022
I just recently discovered Father Nathan Monk on Facebook, and I've appreciated his honest (sometimes brutally) posts about life and what's going on in the world. He often discusses his writing career, so I searched up his books on Amazon. I needed something to read on my way back from vacation last week. Ironically, my family and I were driving back to Indiana from our trip to Pensacola Florida. I didn't realize until I read this book that much of his social justice work has been in Pensacola.
There are so many families who are living in poverty right now, and I think it's important to read from someone who's been there. Father Nathan gives readers this raw and real perspective based on his own childhood experiences living in poverty. I love how he's doing so much work to help others who are currently living in poverty. This book also sheds light on how hard it is to get out of poverty once people are in it, and even harder for those born into it.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Father Nathan's books.
There are so many families who are living in poverty right now, and I think it's important to read from someone who's been there. Father Nathan gives readers this raw and real perspective based on his own childhood experiences living in poverty. I love how he's doing so much work to help others who are currently living in poverty. This book also sheds light on how hard it is to get out of poverty once people are in it, and even harder for those born into it.
I'm looking forward to reading more of Father Nathan's books.
February 9, 2017
Fr. Nathan Monk is a former Orthodox priest who works with the homeless in Pensacola, FL. He grew up with a father who constantly tried to "make it" and who through bad luck and bad decisions ended up raising his family on the go, in filthy rental houses and motels. As a child, all he ever wanted was to go to Disneyworld, and this is the metaphor he uses throughout the book for having the home and family of his dreams.
But of course people wake up from dreams, and no one and no place is perfect. Fr. Monk describes growing up homeless as being like a prison tattoo whose ink goes right down to your soul. His way of dealing with the indelible mark is to fight homelessness, balancing activism with keeping his own personal ghosts from continuing the cycle in his own life.
The book is overall a call to not see any human as "other", and to realize that "otherness" is perhaps the largest factor that keeps the cycle of poverty turning.
But of course people wake up from dreams, and no one and no place is perfect. Fr. Monk describes growing up homeless as being like a prison tattoo whose ink goes right down to your soul. His way of dealing with the indelible mark is to fight homelessness, balancing activism with keeping his own personal ghosts from continuing the cycle in his own life.
The book is overall a call to not see any human as "other", and to realize that "otherness" is perhaps the largest factor that keeps the cycle of poverty turning.
February 16, 2021
Pretty much a load of self aggrandizing ego dribble. This fellow has collected ten of thousands in donations and used none of it for its stated purpose. He collected 30k to build a tiny home project for the homeless and has fullfilled none of his promises yet has found time to take multiple vacations. When asked about the money he refuses to answer. Blamed it on a divorce yet at the time was on vacation with his supposed astranged wife whom he is still with. Just another fame seeking pocket lining con man.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2022
I didn’t expect this book to bring me tears while making me laugh at the same time. Not quite an autobiography, this book shares the insight on poverty in United States - one of the richest countries in the world yet so many people live in poverty due to the cruel attitude on people who are down.
April 13, 2016
Father Nathan Monk, with hands and heart, is doing great work with homeless families in Pensacola. I was eager to read this book, only to find Father Nathan really, really needed a good editor. The book is poorly organized, poorly edited and full of grammatical and spelling mistakes, which distract from his valuable message.
October 30, 2022
Wanted to love it but it was a no for me. Halfway through, I realized he came off as arrogant and ego-centric. Talks about his fight against social injustice but then refers to city of Pensacola as "redneck". Nope. That's where I was done.
May 15, 2020
I was excited to read this book. I follow Father Monk online. Even though, I am Jewish, we seem to have similar views on a lot of things.
He goes back and forth in the book, from his youth to more present times. Sometimes, it is a little difficult to follow. Most of the time, it makes sense. Even though, he grew up poor, he seems like he was a pretty well adjusted child and teen.
He takes you through his days of advocacy and fighting for civil justice. Even though you understand, that he is outspoken on helping others. He doesn't look down on others who might not be there. He understands, that there aren't easy answers for a lot of life.
I look forward to reading more of his books. Learn what else he has to say about the world around us.
He goes back and forth in the book, from his youth to more present times. Sometimes, it is a little difficult to follow. Most of the time, it makes sense. Even though, he grew up poor, he seems like he was a pretty well adjusted child and teen.
He takes you through his days of advocacy and fighting for civil justice. Even though you understand, that he is outspoken on helping others. He doesn't look down on others who might not be there. He understands, that there aren't easy answers for a lot of life.
I look forward to reading more of his books. Learn what else he has to say about the world around us.
February 2, 2021
Great
I really enjoyed reading Father Nathan's story of his childhood and am particularly impressed with the way he pulled it altogether. Very well done. I think the Kindle version is a little messed up, parts of some sentences seemed to be out of place.
I really enjoyed reading Father Nathan's story of his childhood and am particularly impressed with the way he pulled it altogether. Very well done. I think the Kindle version is a little messed up, parts of some sentences seemed to be out of place.
January 9, 2023
Wanted to love it but it was a no for me. Halfway through, I realized he came off as arrogant and ego-centric. Talks about his fight against social injustice but then refers to city of Pensacola as "redneck". Nope. That's where I was done.
January 2, 2024
Having followed Father Nathan Monk on Facebook I picked a random book to read. This is a tale of resilience and a shout for social justice (poverty and homelessness). I’m glad I chose this book. It’s an empathy thing. Well written.
April 30, 2016
I've been a fan of Mr Monk's for quite a while. A page that I follow on Facebook once posted about all of the remarkable things he has done for the community (promoting equality, sheltering the homeless, and helping the community in general), and I had to start following his progress to see what extraordinary things he was going to do next.
Then one day, Mr Monk posted about his book, Chasing the Mouse. I contacted him and offered to help promote his story, so that people could become more informed with what steps he has taken in making the world a better place.
Chasing the Mouse tells the story of Nathan Monk, his childhood experience of being homeless, meeting his wife, and becoming a father (both literally and spiritually). Rebellion, love, life, family, broken promises, and creating lifelong memories are also key to this book, and he does a good job of letting that be known. Nathan is the narrator of the story, so each reader of Chasing the Mouse will receive a firsthand experience of the reality of growing up homeless. Now, he is not a professional author, and there are flaws that every book critic would just foam at the mouth to pick apart, but readers of this book must appreciate it for what it is. A man conveying his story in his own way, and telling the world what truly matters in life.
This book is a very powerful read. I enjoyed it very much, and I took a lot of meaningful aspects out of it, that I'm positive will come back to me throughout the years.
I will, and already have, recommended this book to friends, saying that there's a scene at the end that will nearly bring you to tears. (I know I came close!)
Now Nathan Monk spends most of his time with his family, and helps to take people off the streets and put them into homes, shelters, and communities. He does remarkable work, and if you follow his progress, I guarantee you will notice the impact he is making on the world.
Thank you, Nathan, for telling us your story. It was a beautiful one.
Then one day, Mr Monk posted about his book, Chasing the Mouse. I contacted him and offered to help promote his story, so that people could become more informed with what steps he has taken in making the world a better place.
Chasing the Mouse tells the story of Nathan Monk, his childhood experience of being homeless, meeting his wife, and becoming a father (both literally and spiritually). Rebellion, love, life, family, broken promises, and creating lifelong memories are also key to this book, and he does a good job of letting that be known. Nathan is the narrator of the story, so each reader of Chasing the Mouse will receive a firsthand experience of the reality of growing up homeless. Now, he is not a professional author, and there are flaws that every book critic would just foam at the mouth to pick apart, but readers of this book must appreciate it for what it is. A man conveying his story in his own way, and telling the world what truly matters in life.
This book is a very powerful read. I enjoyed it very much, and I took a lot of meaningful aspects out of it, that I'm positive will come back to me throughout the years.
I will, and already have, recommended this book to friends, saying that there's a scene at the end that will nearly bring you to tears. (I know I came close!)
Now Nathan Monk spends most of his time with his family, and helps to take people off the streets and put them into homes, shelters, and communities. He does remarkable work, and if you follow his progress, I guarantee you will notice the impact he is making on the world.
Thank you, Nathan, for telling us your story. It was a beautiful one.
February 9, 2017
I think this is a good read for insight into the lives of millions of people across America. Many times stories like these - and the people they belong to - get swept away for the "pleasantness" that others crave. This leaves many families to suffer in silence as their plight becomes invalidated. If you plan to work with kids, or to work with the homeless, this is a must-read. If you are committed to developing empathy and doing more for others, this is also a must-read. But if you don't think stories like this could happen, and do not understand poverty behind a basic definition understanding, then this book is one you need to read.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews