Michael Woodbine was seven years old when a near-fatal fireworks accident scarred him and led to his placement in foster care. Now a college freshman, he is still trying to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, his adoptive family, and himself.
When Michael signs up for a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who wears his own scars unapologetically. Robert encourages Michael to make a documentary that explores body image and self-perception. Michael places an ad seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and is surprised to learn that this is essentially everyone. Although some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, others are dealing with more everyday factors like aging or the changes to a body from giving birth.
As he collects these stories—and finally tells his own—Michael feels more connected to the world than he ever has before. But he knows his journey of self-acceptance has one more obstacle: his crushing doubts about why his birth parents wouldn’t fight to keep him.
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The story follows 19-year-old Michael, a college freshman still grappling with the emotional and physical scars from a devastating childhood accident. Removed from his home and placed in foster care after a firework incident nearly killed him, Michael has spent years hiding his body and burying his pain. But a chance encounter with a new professor—who wears his own scars without apology—begins to shift Michael’s perspective.
When Michael decides to center his student film on how people view their flaws and insecurities, it becomes a powerful catalyst for transformation—not just for himself, but for those around him. Hyde skillfully balances moments of vulnerability and humor, crafting a narrative that’s both uplifting and thought-provoking. While the plot unfolds in a quiet, introspective way, it’s Michael’s emotional journey that leaves the strongest impact. His growth is authentic, his voice sincere, and his story universally resonant. The novel reminds readers that scars—visible or hidden—don’t define us, and learning to accept them is an act of bravery. Touching and inspiring, the novel offers a powerful message about finding worth beyond appearances.
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