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The Misguided Empath
From the streets of Memphis to the streets of Washington, Drew Shaw takes an adventurous yet not-so-comfortable hike into the unknown realms of paranoia, rebellion, and a sense for feeling the emotions of others. While Tennessee introduced him to heat and violence, Washington brings him to more complicated issues. Homeless journeys become strange and unsettling. But homeless or not, someone is watching. Paranoia only adds to his problems as he struggles to put pieces of a puzzle together that don’t seem to fit. A lifetime of narrowly escaping death and being incarcerated brings Drew Shaw to a new place in Vancouver, Washington, where things couldn’t get any stranger. This is the story of a homeless man’s journeys into the unknown and his memories of near death and regret. This is the story of an empath who saw no color and despised racism.
332 pages, Paperback
Published August 19, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 28, 2020
The Misguided Empath by Sean Newberg is about Drew who is an abused traumatised drug addict paranoid as he stumbles through everyday and finds his day and figures his life choices. Despite that he is not a bad person but sensitive and helpful human who has some psychic ability. But the Title i s not compatible or I missed some connection.The 3 stars that I have given are because I couldn't get into the book and understand if all is happening inside Drew's head that his paranoia or is it real. Though I lost interest a few times in the book the fact is that I couldn't leave it aside and had to pick up again as I could not stop thinking about it.
It does make one think
All in all it is a good narrative of the psyche of a person who becomes a nomad criminal and drug addict not by choice but is imposed upon. I think I need to read it again to understand it.
Thanks @BookTasters for this book
It does make one think
All in all it is a good narrative of the psyche of a person who becomes a nomad criminal and drug addict not by choice but is imposed upon. I think I need to read it again to understand it.
Thanks @BookTasters for this book
August 23, 2019
This book sort of reminded me of The Truman Show as the main character thinks he's being recorded. I liked how he got paranoid and thought of ideas to test his hypothesis only to realize that he's right. I would freak out like him as well.
April 2, 2020
The Misguided Empath was a surprisingly good read. Definitely one of the best indie books I have picked up so far. Sean has a way with words and everything is extremely well written.
Drew, our main character, is interesting and following his, sometimes paranoid, adventures as he moves around from one city to the next never felt boring or badly executed.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who asks me for something new.
Drew, our main character, is interesting and following his, sometimes paranoid, adventures as he moves around from one city to the next never felt boring or badly executed.
I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who asks me for something new.
August 7, 2020
Well, I chose to read this book because it described me in just two words “ Misguided empath”. In other to find new ways out of my past trauma, I decided to dive in. It was Wow! However, an important word I came out with was “Limitless”... Drew was Limitless. Despite his traumatic experiences, Drew was courageous enough to form his own new better world. To me, this is the best book I’ve read so far. The author just reassured me that I am not damaged beyond repair myself. I will recommend it to any Motherless abused child.
Thanks Mr Newberg
Thanks Mr Newberg
February 16, 2020
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I’m rarely at a loss for an opinion, on anything, but I confess I’m not quite sure what to think about The Misguided Empath. I can’t say that I disliked it, but I’m also not sure I understood it completely either. The story, such as it is, follows Drew Shaw, a nomadic sort of guy, decent and imperfect and very human, abused as a child and with a prison record from his younger days. Everything is seen through his eyes, so the exact location and time of what’s happening is vague in many spots, and it’s sometimes a little confusing to figure out where, or when, you are. There are also no other characters’ voices to provide a touchstone for what is real and what is entirely Drew’s perception.
It’s difficult to provide a story summary, because there isn’t really a linear story, per se. The reader doesn’t follow along with the narrator, watching what happens, so much as ride along in his head, seeing some of the action, and hearing more of his thoughts and feelings. One wonders sometimes if Drew is the Empath, or if the reader is meant to be. By definition, an “empath” is a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual, and while Drew does show some signs of empathy, he also shows some signs of precognition and, on a less paranormal plane, signs of paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
A few items appeared to be errors in research by the author, but they could have also been simply perspective issues on the part of the protagonist. Drew describes being attacked by a “200-pound pit bull.” Ignoring that there is no such beast, most of what are called “pit bulls” are Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they top out at about 70 pounds. The Bull Terrier, aka the Target Dog, may also reach 70 pounds and the other dog most frequently mistaken for the Pit Bull, the American Bull dog, only gets up to 100 pounds. In one scene, Drew (a young white man) says he’s been locked in a jail cell with 39 non-white murderers, when arrested for theft. Again, exaggeration by Drew, or is there really a jurisdiction somewhere cramming 39 black adult males into a 3’ x 7’ holding cell with one white burglar?
The Misguided Empath is interesting, just different. Conventional novels tend to be “This is what happened to Bob” stories, whereas this unconventional read is more “This is what Bob thought about everything that happened to him.” This provides the ultimate in character development, from the inside. Drew is one of the good guys, standing up for the underdogs in society, a little troubled by his own history but working hard on becoming a kinder, more decent person as he goes. The reader also gets two “bonus” stories, provided by Drew himself. Deals like that don’t come along every day – I recommend it all.
I’m rarely at a loss for an opinion, on anything, but I confess I’m not quite sure what to think about The Misguided Empath. I can’t say that I disliked it, but I’m also not sure I understood it completely either. The story, such as it is, follows Drew Shaw, a nomadic sort of guy, decent and imperfect and very human, abused as a child and with a prison record from his younger days. Everything is seen through his eyes, so the exact location and time of what’s happening is vague in many spots, and it’s sometimes a little confusing to figure out where, or when, you are. There are also no other characters’ voices to provide a touchstone for what is real and what is entirely Drew’s perception.
It’s difficult to provide a story summary, because there isn’t really a linear story, per se. The reader doesn’t follow along with the narrator, watching what happens, so much as ride along in his head, seeing some of the action, and hearing more of his thoughts and feelings. One wonders sometimes if Drew is the Empath, or if the reader is meant to be. By definition, an “empath” is a person with the paranormal ability to apprehend the mental or emotional state of another individual, and while Drew does show some signs of empathy, he also shows some signs of precognition and, on a less paranormal plane, signs of paranoid schizophrenia, PTSD, and bipolar disorder.
A few items appeared to be errors in research by the author, but they could have also been simply perspective issues on the part of the protagonist. Drew describes being attacked by a “200-pound pit bull.” Ignoring that there is no such beast, most of what are called “pit bulls” are Staffordshire Bull Terriers and they top out at about 70 pounds. The Bull Terrier, aka the Target Dog, may also reach 70 pounds and the other dog most frequently mistaken for the Pit Bull, the American Bull dog, only gets up to 100 pounds. In one scene, Drew (a young white man) says he’s been locked in a jail cell with 39 non-white murderers, when arrested for theft. Again, exaggeration by Drew, or is there really a jurisdiction somewhere cramming 39 black adult males into a 3’ x 7’ holding cell with one white burglar?
The Misguided Empath is interesting, just different. Conventional novels tend to be “This is what happened to Bob” stories, whereas this unconventional read is more “This is what Bob thought about everything that happened to him.” This provides the ultimate in character development, from the inside. Drew is one of the good guys, standing up for the underdogs in society, a little troubled by his own history but working hard on becoming a kinder, more decent person as he goes. The reader also gets two “bonus” stories, provided by Drew himself. Deals like that don’t come along every day – I recommend it all.
October 1, 2019
The main character Drew is a very sensitive, gentle, yet rough guy who is trying hard to get through life by doing what's right, yet constantly coming up against hardship which in turn leads him to make harsh choices. Being an Empath, he feels everything to the "extreme" which more often than not, confuses him and leaves him with many questions about life, daily. Nevertheless, Drew finds meaning in all his adventures and mis-adventures and is able, with some "unknown" guidance to keep bettering his life and eventually succeeds, ending with the love of his life and becoming an author of interesting characters stories.
November 16, 2019
The Misguided Empath is an amazing book. For most part of reading it, the empath seemed more of a paranoid introvert rather than an empath but his quirky personality and near death experiences were interesting to say the least. The chapter names were interesting and so was the story. Its well written and for me its story seemed to be a bit convoluted, confusing at times. The narration mode of the story was a pace changer which was welcome for the most part.
December 4, 2019
Whenever i read a book, i will put myself as the main character but it is quite hard for me to actually do this with Drew. It feels like he was being paranoid with his life instead of an empath as the book title. However when things he thought was actually true, the story becomes more interesting.
Very well written. Thank you for a great book and @booktaster on twitter for giving me the chance to read it.
Very well written. Thank you for a great book and @booktaster on twitter for giving me the chance to read it.
October 17, 2019
This book is the story of beautiful human ,who had a very rough childhood and builds his life on his own , full of uncertainties and bumpy ride .
Despite being an empath and kind from inside,he could not navigate with the uncertainties and crook face of the real world.As he matures,he learn to mold with odd situation which turns him to be more kind and compassionate person.
Despite being an empath and kind from inside,he could not navigate with the uncertainties and crook face of the real world.As he matures,he learn to mold with odd situation which turns him to be more kind and compassionate person.
November 9, 2019
The main character, Drew, always feels like he’s being watched and it turns out that he is. Throughout the story he’s very paranoid and feels like there’s a constant eye on him. He feels like he’s able to feel other people’s feelings, hence the ‘empath’. The book was really well written and a very good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2019
A very well written book. Full of suspense and quite a page turner. I highly recommend it!
October 20, 2024
The Misguided Empath by Sean Newberg is a gripping and introspective tale that delves deep into the life of Drew Shaw, a man navigating the harsh realities of homelessness while grappling with the unique ability to feel others' emotions. From the violent streets of Memphis to the politically charged atmosphere of Washington, Shaw’s journey is both a physical and emotional odyssey. His empathy, combined with paranoia, turns his life into a puzzle of survival and self-discovery.
Newberg portrays Shaw's struggles vividly, as he narrowly escapes death and incarceration, all while questioning the world around him. His homelessness is not just a physical state but also a metaphor for his sense of being lost in a world filled with racism, violence, and unseen forces. Shaw’s perspective as an empath offers a unique lens through which the reader can experience his emotions, conflicts, and sense of rebellion.
This thought-provoking novel is a powerful exploration of empathy, survival, and the human condition.
Newberg portrays Shaw's struggles vividly, as he narrowly escapes death and incarceration, all while questioning the world around him. His homelessness is not just a physical state but also a metaphor for his sense of being lost in a world filled with racism, violence, and unseen forces. Shaw’s perspective as an empath offers a unique lens through which the reader can experience his emotions, conflicts, and sense of rebellion.
This thought-provoking novel is a powerful exploration of empathy, survival, and the human condition.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews