Homeless at Harvard: Finding Faith and Friendship on the Streets of Harvard Square

Spending a summer living on the streets of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Mass., Frame recounts his experiences and education in the ways of being homeless, in this, his debut effort. “Divinity John,” as he comes to be called, offers an account more personal than academic, its anthropology and theology distinguished by a warmth missing in other books on the same topic. This is not a systematic treatment of strategies for alleviating homelessness. Instead, it is a narrative with firsthand accounts from the author and some of the homeless people he befriends, meant to humanize the marginalized “other” and introduce the reader to how homeless people live. Mirroring the author’s own perspective shift, the book leads the reader to recognize the struggles of homeless people, as well as their humanity, community, and their distinct desire for forming relationships. The book is touching, and well worth the read, if only to provide a more informed view of a group that is frequently misunderstood. (Aug. 6)