Dennis' book should be a must read for everyone. It gives you insight in a clear cut fashion on a subject you'd like to forget but should do something about, no ifs, ands or buts. Thank God for a book that will keep you on a higher moral ground and show you the right thing to do. Forget your preconceptions and help get rid of this blight on humanity.

There was a lot I liked about this book. I love that the author chose to spend time with street people and treat them with value and compassion. I love that he chose to share their lives as they are without romanticizing them or trashing them. I appreciated the authenticity of the scenes shared. I like that he did not try to change them but simply shared in their lives. The book helped open my eyes to the various people who live on the streets and the reasons they do so. I always thought of the homeless as not having a home, but the author shows that many of them have a place to stay (some even pay rent for a place). Street people is a much better description of them. It was also nice to see how certain businesses and other people show kindness toward them.

The author uses his own style to share these snippets. He shares everything through dialogue. I would have preferred more of a story-like feel to it, with descriptions and actions, but this is a stylistic preference. I do feel the book needs a bit more editing. I found punctuation errors. They didn't take away from the overall story, but it did cause me to pause several times to determine who was speaking. All in all, I'm happy I read it and hope others do as well. :-)

Dennis Cardiff recalls conversations with homeless people between his bus stop and work location in Canada. It is a telling commentary on the daily lives of those who end up on the streets. The reasons are various; most are addicted, many don't want to be hemmed in, there is a litany of reasons for being on the street. It isn't easy. They are up early in the morning "working" to get enough to buy a bottle. Dennis doesn't find any solutions. I hoped he would, but I haven't heard of any permanent solutions. Interesting dialog with people getting by the best they can.

This is the best and most honest book on how it is to be homeless. As I read about the people and conversations with the people Dennis knows I truly understood homelessness at a basic level. It is a book of true humanity. Read it from start to finish. Highly suggest it to anyone who has a heart.

I've been reading these poems on the author's blog and now I'm getting the collection. They aren't always easy to read, but always thought provoking.

Please purchase and read. The author but more the homeless he supports thank you.

Author Dennis Cardiff is remarkable for his compassion for the homeless. As COVID-19 continues, more people are calling the streets home around the world. This author protects these homeless by changing their names and giving their stories dignity. It will make you consider what you might do to make a small difference.

The detailed journal of conversations, events, and individual specifics are heart-wrenching as the atrocities against them are revealed. This memoir of people displaced who are feared rather than helped is worthy of reading from start to end. The impact of this chronicle is significant.

By telling the stories of these people, the author reminds us that all roads are not easy nor equal. Anyone could find themselves in this position if dark stars aligned. This passage struck me as to how close the community is as they strive for family.

“Kind Gestures 14 July 2011

Yesterday, my boss noticed me with Joy. We were both sitting cross-legged on the sidewalk. Her cap with change was in front of her. Her arm was around me and I was pouring my heart out to her. I explained to my boss that I occasionally buy her a sandwich and tea. She accepted that and said it was a kind gesture.

Yesterday, Joy had no shoes. A friend of hers noticed this, asked her size, and then came back with a hundred and fifty dollar pair of women’s leather shoes that he’d stolen. Another friend of hers was arrested for stealing a block of cheese. She admitted that her kidney damage was due to alcohol.”

Author Cardiff takes the time to listen, share a bite to eat with a cup of coffee, and provide compassion to fellow human beings. I recommend this for adults who want more insight into the homeless and perhaps learn a way to add their kind support. I will be reading the others in this series if for no other reason than a portion of the sales goes back to help. Dennis did the cover art and is a renowned artist, poet, and writer.

I discovered Gotta Find A Home on twitter where its author posts as @denniscardiff. I will admit that I am one of those who generally averts their eyes when I notice beggars on the street so, other than the usual political platitudes, I know very little about the people themselves. Intrigued by Dennis' synopsis, I bought his book. All the profits from Gotta Find A Home are donated to homelessness alleviation projects in Toronto so I thought, even if I didn't like the read, I was doing a good thing with its purchase.

As it turned out, this is a pretty fascinating book. Written in diary form, Dennis recounts daily conversations he has had with members of a fluctuating group of homeless panhandlers (beggars) who live near to where he works in Toronto. Conversations aren't recorded, but related from memory, so I did find the speaking style a little odd to begin with. What surprised me most though was the lack of a stereotype within the group. These people are of all ages from their twenties to their sixties (although many will die much younger than they might if they weren't homeless) some are abuse victims but not all, some are alcoholics or drug addicts but not all, some have a university education while others can barely write, some are mentally disturbed while others are highly intelligent and articulate. There is apparently no such thing as A Typical Homeless Person.

Dennis makes no claims to have the answers to homelessness, neither does he defend or vilify the behaviour and actions of the people about whom he writes. Instead he simply presents their day-to-day lives and leaves us readers to make our own decisions. Formerly anonymous grey shapes, as appear in every town in Britain in the same circumstances as in Canada, now define themselves into 'normal people' (if you'll excuse that phrase). This is Joy. This is Ian. This is Hippo. This is Lucy. They talk about their friends and relationships, what they might have for dinner, how much they've earned today, and whether there is enough to pay the rent. Then they mention an acquaintance who had his teeth kicked out and another who was doused in gasoline and set alight.

I think Gotta Find A Home would make a very interesting Book Club choice as I found my assumptions being challenged, but without my being made to feel defensive or hectored. I would definitely like to hear opinions from other readers as I hope that this memoir will remain memorable for me.