Michael Without Apology: A Novel

Michael Woodbine was seven when a fireworks accident left him scarred and placed in foster care. Now a college freshman, he continues to hide the effects of his trauma from his classmates, adoptive family, and himself. When Michael enrolls in a film class, he meets Robert Dunning, a teacher who displays his own scars openly. Robert encourages Michael to create a documentary exploring body image and self-perception. Michael places an advertisement seeking people who feel unattractive and rejected by society—and discovers this encompasses nearly everyone. Some participants are recovering from injuries or surgeries, while others contend with aging or physical changes from childbirth. As Michael collects these stories and shares his own, he feels more connected to the world than ever before. However, his journey toward self-acceptance faces a final obstacle: persistent doubts about why his birth parents did not fight to keep him.