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When Tender Is the Heart
A touching portrait of a boy’s life, and an unforgettable journey of love, forgiveness, and grace.
Set over four decades, When Tender is the Heart is a sensitive story about an autistic boy who longs to have a life like any normal child. And despite his good intentions when he becomes an adult, hardship is never far behind as he sets out to create a life for himself, establish relationships with others, and take on potential jobs.
One day he will be forced to confront his painful childhood past head-on. But will his heart find the closure it’s been seeking for so long?
When Tender is the Heart not only pushes us to think of our relationships with one another but also the affection we hold in our hearts for others. It encourages us to question if our hearts are truly at peace with our past as much as with the present.
This deeply moving book will remind us all of how we can find love, forgiveness, and even grace from the people who have shaped our hearts and minds along our journey and, most importantly, within ourselves.
When Tender is the Heart is filled with the spirit of love, forgiveness, and grace. It is sure to stay with you long after you have read it.
Set over four decades, When Tender is the Heart is a sensitive story about an autistic boy who longs to have a life like any normal child. And despite his good intentions when he becomes an adult, hardship is never far behind as he sets out to create a life for himself, establish relationships with others, and take on potential jobs.
One day he will be forced to confront his painful childhood past head-on. But will his heart find the closure it’s been seeking for so long?
When Tender is the Heart not only pushes us to think of our relationships with one another but also the affection we hold in our hearts for others. It encourages us to question if our hearts are truly at peace with our past as much as with the present.
This deeply moving book will remind us all of how we can find love, forgiveness, and even grace from the people who have shaped our hearts and minds along our journey and, most importantly, within ourselves.
When Tender is the Heart is filled with the spirit of love, forgiveness, and grace. It is sure to stay with you long after you have read it.
- GenresFiction
332 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2022
1 person is currently reading
6427 people want to read
About the author
Cyndee Melzow
3 books92 followersCyndee Melzow is a literary fiction writer. She creates stories of characters with flaws just like you and I. Characters broken in spirit, seeking forgiveness, seeking acceptance. Characters who inspire and encourage readers to be brave and to never give up on hope when they are facing their own challenging moments in life.
She lives in Texas. When she's not writing, she devotes her time to working with children who have special needs. She also enjoys running, hiking, tennis and cycling along a nature trail. She also likes to collect vintage books.
Visit her at www.cyndeemelzow.com to learn more about her.
She is currently working on her next novel set in the beautiful rural landscapes of a quaint village somewhere in Europe.
She lives in Texas. When she's not writing, she devotes her time to working with children who have special needs. She also enjoys running, hiking, tennis and cycling along a nature trail. She also likes to collect vintage books.
Visit her at www.cyndeemelzow.com to learn more about her.
She is currently working on her next novel set in the beautiful rural landscapes of a quaint village somewhere in Europe.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 21, 2024
What a great story. Cyndee you make the story come alive. A genuine story about a boy who is autistic. What the writer does in this story is create a wonderful and charismatic character by the name of Henry Odin who is slightly autistic. Henry Odin’s story is a great inspiration of hope to anyone who may find themselves struggling with life. The story is a great inspiration of hope. If you are struggling in your life or not this is a must read. The main character captured my heart from the start. The author did a great job introducing the characters and the life-long problems they struggled with as well. Prepare for a whirl wind of emotions throughout this book. Highly recommend.
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February 26, 2023
Brilliant Fictional Story of an Autistic Boy - A page turner that is sure to move your heart.
I picked out this book originally because of the subject pertaining to "Autism." I got into the first chapter and quickly realized the dialogue was a bit different. The writer quickly gives us an insight into what the autistic mind might be like when it is under stress and exerpiencing anxiety. Well written. The main character Henry Odin is very well crafted, he draws you in emotionally instantly and keeps you focused page after page.
So much happens to Henry Odin during those four decades from a missing mother, to a grandma he's never met before, to fatherhood and then romance. I really enjoyed reading how he deals with the romance part. Those scenes were written with such purity and sweetness. It would have been nice for the writer to have made those scenes a bit longer. Mid way into the story the writer throws in an unexpected twist. It made me think about my own family and forgiveness when we hurt one another.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this story. It was different, fresh take from all the other books currently on the market. To anyone who isn't familiar with Austim, this is a great fictional story to read on that subject. It will touch your heart and leaving you thinking about your own life. You must put this book at the top of your reading list for 2023. It is that good, in fact I would read it again!
I picked out this book originally because of the subject pertaining to "Autism." I got into the first chapter and quickly realized the dialogue was a bit different. The writer quickly gives us an insight into what the autistic mind might be like when it is under stress and exerpiencing anxiety. Well written. The main character Henry Odin is very well crafted, he draws you in emotionally instantly and keeps you focused page after page.
So much happens to Henry Odin during those four decades from a missing mother, to a grandma he's never met before, to fatherhood and then romance. I really enjoyed reading how he deals with the romance part. Those scenes were written with such purity and sweetness. It would have been nice for the writer to have made those scenes a bit longer. Mid way into the story the writer throws in an unexpected twist. It made me think about my own family and forgiveness when we hurt one another.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this story. It was different, fresh take from all the other books currently on the market. To anyone who isn't familiar with Austim, this is a great fictional story to read on that subject. It will touch your heart and leaving you thinking about your own life. You must put this book at the top of your reading list for 2023. It is that good, in fact I would read it again!
February 13, 2024
An Epic Journey of An Autistic Boy’s Transformation into Manhood, Masterfully Written
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started to read Cyndee Melzow’s “When Tender Is The Heart.” It was described as “a sensitive story about an autistic boy who wants to have a life like any normal child." I don’t have children of my own, and this is not normally a book that would pique my interest. But I decided to give it a read, and I am so glad I did.
What Melzow has created is much more than a sensitive story. In “When Tender Is The Heart,” the young boy, Henry Odin becomes a modern-day Odysseus, and his story centers on his quest to find his mother, who abandoned him as a young boy. Like Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey, Henry must overcome a series of challenges, set over a period of nearly forty years. He must learn how to earn a living and support himself; he must learn who he can trust and whom he cannot, he must learn how to move on from the past and open his heart to love.
The trials Henry must go through are dizzying and often terrifying. While reading the book, I often found myself crying out, “No Henry! Don’t do it!” I think my reaction came because Henry often speaks in the first person. So, I felt he was speaking directly to me. When Henry speaks and thinks, the reader is immediately transported into his world and inside his head. You feel his frustration when he cannot express himself, you feel his anger, often directed at himself when he loses his job or has difficulty mastering a task and dealing with everyday life. And you feel his pain when he speaks about his burning desire to find his mother so he may understand why it was she had abandoned him so many years ago. But most of all, you feel his joy when he is finally able to find love and happiness.
Through Henry, Melzow shines a light on what it is like to live with autism. She brings you completely into that world and in Henry Odin, she has created one of the most memorable literary characters you will ever experience. Through Henry, she reminds us it is possible to find love, to forgive those who may have hurt us, and heal ourselves in the process.
When Tender Is The Heart is a masterfully written novel and I enthusiastically recommend it. Brava Cyndee Melzow. Brava.
I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I started to read Cyndee Melzow’s “When Tender Is The Heart.” It was described as “a sensitive story about an autistic boy who wants to have a life like any normal child." I don’t have children of my own, and this is not normally a book that would pique my interest. But I decided to give it a read, and I am so glad I did.
What Melzow has created is much more than a sensitive story. In “When Tender Is The Heart,” the young boy, Henry Odin becomes a modern-day Odysseus, and his story centers on his quest to find his mother, who abandoned him as a young boy. Like Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey, Henry must overcome a series of challenges, set over a period of nearly forty years. He must learn how to earn a living and support himself; he must learn who he can trust and whom he cannot, he must learn how to move on from the past and open his heart to love.
The trials Henry must go through are dizzying and often terrifying. While reading the book, I often found myself crying out, “No Henry! Don’t do it!” I think my reaction came because Henry often speaks in the first person. So, I felt he was speaking directly to me. When Henry speaks and thinks, the reader is immediately transported into his world and inside his head. You feel his frustration when he cannot express himself, you feel his anger, often directed at himself when he loses his job or has difficulty mastering a task and dealing with everyday life. And you feel his pain when he speaks about his burning desire to find his mother so he may understand why it was she had abandoned him so many years ago. But most of all, you feel his joy when he is finally able to find love and happiness.
Through Henry, Melzow shines a light on what it is like to live with autism. She brings you completely into that world and in Henry Odin, she has created one of the most memorable literary characters you will ever experience. Through Henry, she reminds us it is possible to find love, to forgive those who may have hurt us, and heal ourselves in the process.
When Tender Is The Heart is a masterfully written novel and I enthusiastically recommend it. Brava Cyndee Melzow. Brava.
June 7, 2023
This book was given to me as a gift for my birthday. I didn't know what to expect with such a pretty cover. I was taken back the moment I read the first page. Never expected to read such an emotional opening. Truly difficult to read about children who have been abandoned. But then little Henry Odin pulled through. His resilience to just keep going and never giving up on life kept me turning page after page. Such a touching and heartwarming story, Henry truly captured my heart from the start. I think the story is well developed, well written, the characters are certainly relatable. And while Henry does go through some very difficult moments in life, he finds his rainbow of happiness at the end. I so loved the romantic aspects of the story. Wish the writer could have explored more of Henry and his romantic side. At the end I walked away thinking of my own story and how it is shaping my outlook on life. And yes it made me question my relationships with my loved ones. Truly a special book. Everyone who is experiencing hard times right now should read this book. Can't wait to read this writer's next book.
June 19, 2023
This writer has given the reader much to think about. Henry Odin's story is compelling and resonates so well with todays social issues our societies are facing. Abandonment, poverty, family relationships gone astray, teen pregnancies and so much more. The themes of love, grace and forgiveness are very well explored and at times very difficult to read through. I had to put the book down a number of times to regroup my emotional thoughts. Even though the book may have been labeled with "autisim", I think what Henry's character is dealing with throughout the story is really emotional trauma from having been abandoned. And while the first few chapters appear dreary and dark for Henry, know that he will find his light. A few surprises along the way and some lovely romantic moments help make When Tender is the Heart an unforgettable read. And yes it will stay with you long after you have read it. I look forward to another great read from this author.
July 2, 2024
This book is a total emotional ride, following Henry Odin, an autistic boy growing into adulthood. Spanning four decades, the story tackles themes of love, forgiveness, and resilience. Henry’s struggles and triumphs are beautifully portrayed, making you reflect on your own relationships. Melzow’s captivating writing and heartfelt storytelling make this book a must-read. It's touching, inspiring, and unforgettable.
February 18, 2023
The author has written a sincere and warm story that captures the heart the moment we are introduced to eight-year-old Henry Odin’s character.
Page after page I found myself engaged and moved by his story. The thought that an eight-year-old can remain so resilient over time when he is faced with real-life issues and more so when he is autistic is quite emotional.
An unexpected twist in the story made me really think about my own life and past mistakes. This is the type of story that will give a reader food for thought. If you are looking for a book to read this year, put this one at the top of your list. You’ll be glad you did.
Page after page I found myself engaged and moved by his story. The thought that an eight-year-old can remain so resilient over time when he is faced with real-life issues and more so when he is autistic is quite emotional.
An unexpected twist in the story made me really think about my own life and past mistakes. This is the type of story that will give a reader food for thought. If you are looking for a book to read this year, put this one at the top of your list. You’ll be glad you did.
October 2, 2023
Full disclosure -- I received this book through one of Goodreads' sweepstakes. The author autographed the copy of the book I received and included a kind note. I don't think I allowed either of these things to shade my review, but I think these sorts of disclosures are important in our current review culture.
Anyway, I was excited to read this book as soon as I saw the blurb. Two of the most memorable books I've read are Daniel Tammet's memoir Born on a Blue Day, and Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Both of those books deal with autism, and I guess I just have an interest in reading stories about people whose brains work a little differently from the rest of society.
So with that said, this is a lovely novel that spans four decades of the life of one autistic character. The book isn't necessarily about autism; I felt like abandonment and forgiveness were probably greater themes. But the book is written in a sort of plain language that the character would prefer. This, along with the short chapter length, help make the novel go by pretty quickly. While this is a nice feature, it also made the book feel a little lighter. I enjoyed my time with the book, but I was never quite as invested in the plot as I was with Haddon's book.
It's possible that one of the reasons I couldn't identify quite as strongly with these characters is because of its religious lean. I don't think it would be unfair to describe this as a contemporary Christian book, which surprised me a bit -- I don't remember getting that impression from the jacket cover.
Anyway, I was excited to read this book as soon as I saw the blurb. Two of the most memorable books I've read are Daniel Tammet's memoir Born on a Blue Day, and Mark Haddon's The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Both of those books deal with autism, and I guess I just have an interest in reading stories about people whose brains work a little differently from the rest of society.
So with that said, this is a lovely novel that spans four decades of the life of one autistic character. The book isn't necessarily about autism; I felt like abandonment and forgiveness were probably greater themes. But the book is written in a sort of plain language that the character would prefer. This, along with the short chapter length, help make the novel go by pretty quickly. While this is a nice feature, it also made the book feel a little lighter. I enjoyed my time with the book, but I was never quite as invested in the plot as I was with Haddon's book.
It's possible that one of the reasons I couldn't identify quite as strongly with these characters is because of its religious lean. I don't think it would be unfair to describe this as a contemporary Christian book, which surprised me a bit -- I don't remember getting that impression from the jacket cover.
March 21, 2023
I appreciate when a writer wants to add autism to one of their characters in their stories. While Autism appears to be the highlight on the headline, a reader might easily think the book is about Autism and it is not.
Autism is just one characteristic added to Henry Odin's story line. The narration and the dialogue may throw readers off, however I thought the writer did a great job with it because it is meant to detail the inside of Henry's thoughts when life gets really hard for him.
The writer created Henry as a most kind and gentle character who at the tender age of eight struggles to make his way through life when his mother disappears. I fell in love with Henry the moment I got introduced to him. There are so many little Henry Odin's out there in the world, they all deserve to have their stories told whether they have disabilities or not. Stories like Henry Odin's encourage us to never give up on hope, they encourage us to know there is a God who can carry us through our most challenging moments in life.
What else can I tell you about this story, only that everyone should take a turn and read it. You might discover you too are in need of hope. If there were more stars to give, I would give it a ten. I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list or your book club list.
Autism is just one characteristic added to Henry Odin's story line. The narration and the dialogue may throw readers off, however I thought the writer did a great job with it because it is meant to detail the inside of Henry's thoughts when life gets really hard for him.
The writer created Henry as a most kind and gentle character who at the tender age of eight struggles to make his way through life when his mother disappears. I fell in love with Henry the moment I got introduced to him. There are so many little Henry Odin's out there in the world, they all deserve to have their stories told whether they have disabilities or not. Stories like Henry Odin's encourage us to never give up on hope, they encourage us to know there is a God who can carry us through our most challenging moments in life.
What else can I tell you about this story, only that everyone should take a turn and read it. You might discover you too are in need of hope. If there were more stars to give, I would give it a ten. I highly recommend adding this book to your reading list or your book club list.
March 14, 2023
A GREAT BOOK TO READ IN 2023!!!
A genuine story about a boy who is autistic. Although the writer doesn’t really explain the boy is autistic until a few chapters into the story. And unless you are familiar with autism on the spectrum, a reader might miss the autism part. What the writer does in this story is create a wonderful and charismatic character by the name of Henry Odin who is slightly autistic. A scrawny kid in the opening scene which is heart wrenching, he grows into a man struggling with fatherhood, struggling with relationships and life and yet he never gives up on himself. Henry Odin’s story is a great inspiration of hope to anyone who may find themselves struggling with life.
And do want to point out what made this story a great read was how the writer weaved a twist into the story line. I was taken back by the surprise and how the writer sealed the story with grace and forgiveness. It is exactly what we all need in life right now. Definitely recommend reading this book today!!!
A genuine story about a boy who is autistic. Although the writer doesn’t really explain the boy is autistic until a few chapters into the story. And unless you are familiar with autism on the spectrum, a reader might miss the autism part. What the writer does in this story is create a wonderful and charismatic character by the name of Henry Odin who is slightly autistic. A scrawny kid in the opening scene which is heart wrenching, he grows into a man struggling with fatherhood, struggling with relationships and life and yet he never gives up on himself. Henry Odin’s story is a great inspiration of hope to anyone who may find themselves struggling with life.
And do want to point out what made this story a great read was how the writer weaved a twist into the story line. I was taken back by the surprise and how the writer sealed the story with grace and forgiveness. It is exactly what we all need in life right now. Definitely recommend reading this book today!!!
January 12, 2024
What a story! When Tender Is the Heart, by Cyndee Melzow, is an emotional—and realistic—coming-of-age, decades-long tale about an autistic man, Henry. Henry lives a life filled with hardships that would challenge anyone’s internal stability and sense of trust; like parental abandonment, loss of a secondary caregiver at a vulnerable age, job insecurity, unsafe living environments, unexpected pregnancies, and tragic death. But Henry has to navigate these complex circumstances with the additional psychological challenges of anxiety, chaotic thoughts, and borderline-compulsive habits. With the help of loyal friends, and the support of his religious community, Henry is able to find a life filled with peace—and love. By seamlessly switching POV’s and tenses, and evolving Henry’s vocabulary and sentence structure as he matures, Melzow is able to represent an autistic interpretation of the world with authentic dignity (and a tender heart). This is a beautiful book: it’s a compassionate roadmap for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of neurodivergent individuals.
March 17, 2023
Henry is an autistic boy abandoned by his mother, taken in by his grandmother, and left to figure out the world he is in.
A very basic summary. It is set over 4 decades.
I admittedly am not autistic. I have had many interactions with autistic people and Henry, for all his times counting tiles, did not come across as autistic. He adapted to change much too quickly and his thought processes seemed , while childlike in some areas, much more non autistic.
I didn't like the abrupt switches in narration. A little confused by it.
His mother's abandonment haunts him throughout his life. The good people he meets certainly help him navigate the challenges. The presence of God was very welcome.
A very basic summary. It is set over 4 decades.
I admittedly am not autistic. I have had many interactions with autistic people and Henry, for all his times counting tiles, did not come across as autistic. He adapted to change much too quickly and his thought processes seemed , while childlike in some areas, much more non autistic.
I didn't like the abrupt switches in narration. A little confused by it.
His mother's abandonment haunts him throughout his life. The good people he meets certainly help him navigate the challenges. The presence of God was very welcome.
July 14, 2023
I am very torn by this story. It was SO SIMPLISTIC in it's telling, which is what an autistic person would do - but that didn't lead you into nooks and crannies of the story. I really liked the characters and the way the story built along on the personalities, I just wasn't a fan of the very plain telling. again, it was totally in keeping with the autism of the protagonist BUT I just had trouble getting excited about it. That said, as it neared the end I had to finish it to see what would happen. It didn't disappoint, but that too was not climactic.
a good read, especially if you have someone with autism in your life BUT it's simple story can sometimes just NOT keep you in it's web. I almost abandoned it mid book and am glad I did not BUT again, it just didn't capture me.
a good read, especially if you have someone with autism in your life BUT it's simple story can sometimes just NOT keep you in it's web. I almost abandoned it mid book and am glad I did not BUT again, it just didn't capture me.
July 11, 2023
This is an excellent read which made me reflect on my own personal story. You will not want to put the book down. It's so relatable to life, family and trauma. The short chapters helped pace my reading. The main character captured my heart from the start. Unfortunately, past trauma followed him throughout life, but forgiveness and grace showed itself in a powerful way. The author did a great job introducing the characters and the life-long problems they struggled with as well. Prepare for a whirl wind of emotions throughout this book.
April 12, 2023
This book kept me reading until the end because I wanted to know what would happen to 8 years old autistic Henry Odin and if he’d ever be reunited with his mum again. The book spans over 4 decades and we get to see the world through Henry’s eyes and his thoughts and feelings, as well as what happened to him during that time. I thoroughly enjoyed it and find it amazing how God works in mysterious ways.
July 22, 2023
Just wish it would have gone into more detail Henry grownup.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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