A Changed Man by Francine Prose

 

It's a normal day at a human rights organization headed by Meyer Maslow.  He is a Holocaust survivor and now dedicates his life and resources to freeing political prisoners, fighting hate, etc.  Bonnie is his right hand staffer, in charge of funding and soliciting contributions.  Then in walks Vincent Nolan.

Vincent hasn't made his way in life yet.  His most recent incarnation was as a Neo-Nazi, mostly because he needed a place to live and his cousin was willing to let him sleep on his couch but was always looking for more members of his hate group.  Vincent got the tattoos but the rhetoric never made much sense to him and he has left the group and his cousin.  Unfortunately, he took his cousin's truck and savings but hey, no one's perfect.  

Vincent says he is there because he has changed his viewpoint and wants to help Meyer keep other young men from making the same mistakes he did.  Meyer and Bonnie are thrilled; here is a publicity event that has fallen in their laps.  Vincent doesn't have anywhere to stay because he feels the Neo-Nazis will be after him.  Meyer convinces Bonnie to let Vincent stay with her and her two teenage boys in the New Jersey suburbs.  Is Vincent just setting up this group or is he really ready for a change?

Francine Prose is a prolific American author.  Her works have been well received and listed for many literary awards.  I've read several of her books and this one was my favorite.  Vincent is a scalawag but you can't help but like him.  He helps Bonnie's boys with their various disasters and encourages them to be good guys and there's a hint of romance between Bonnie and Vincent.  This book is recommended for readers of literary fiction.