The Noticer

Title: THE NOTICER
Author: Andy Andrews
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
2009
ISBN: 978-0-7852-2921-6
Genre: Inspirational/self-help/personal growth

Andy lived under a pier on the Gulf of Mexico after his parents died, leaving him basically homeless. He made a dollar here and a dollar there, but mostly lived off garbage and from what he found in rich people’s garages. When an old homeless man, who introduced himself only as Jones, approached him, Andy first worried that he was about to be robbed—of what, who knows. And Jones quickly laughed at that idea.

As Jones sat and talked with Andy, he pointed out some things that Andy needed to know—its all about perspective. As they shared canned sardines and Vienna sausages on the sand, Jones taught Andy that it could be looked on as surf and turf with an ocean-view.

Jones worked around the community, touching those lives that need touching, and teaching everyone he came in contact with about perspective. But who is Jones, really? And will the seeds he plants take root and grow?

THE NOTICER is a motivational book, written in a fictionalized way. In fact, I wasn’t sure whether it was based on a true story, partially based, or pure imagination, as it was never really made clear, though somewhere in the early pages of the book there is an indication that it may be at least partially based on real life.

At times, the point of view seemed to jump around some, and sometimes the narrator took over the story, but all in all, it was a good read and there is a lot of wisdom to be found in the pages. I really learned a lot as I read this book, and came up with a lot of WOW moments. This book has the potential of changing lives, if people will listen and learn from its pages. A discussion guide is included at the rear of the book. $17.99. 165 pages.