You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
Compelling story and well paced. A pleasure to read.
I struggled with how to rate this book because the story itself is so incredible and the writing is so bad. For some reason Martin (and it is amazing that he was eventually able to write his story) chose to make this book a weird compilation of 60 experiences in individual chapters (some of them barely a full page long) instead of one cohesive story, and it consistently bounces around timelines enough that I lost track too often.
I think he tried to make the worst abuses he suffered the climax of the book where a climax would normally be, but instead I wish he would have just told the story chronologically and let the pain and ache build as you read more and more about how absolutely horrible his life was for so many years and then his miraculous escape from it and eventual success.
If Martin let me rearrange the chapters with no further editing, this would be a 4 star book. If he hired someone to write it for him or had a better editor and publisher, it could have easily been 5.
I think he tried to make the worst abuses he suffered the climax of the book where a climax would normally be, but instead I wish he would have just told the story chronologically and let the pain and ache build as you read more and more about how absolutely horrible his life was for so many years and then his miraculous escape from it and eventual success.
If Martin let me rearrange the chapters with no further editing, this would be a 4 star book. If he hired someone to write it for him or had a better editor and publisher, it could have easily been 5.
An interesting, sometimes empowering, sometimes heartbreaking story told in a very matter-of-fact manner.
emotional
medium-paced
My rating: 3 of 5 stars = I liked it
In 1988, 12-year old Martin Pistorius, fell inexplicably ill. He lost his voice, stopped eating, slept constantly and avoided human contact. Doctors had no idea what was happening to Martin. His illness progressed until he was seemingly in a vegetative state. The cruel irony is that, although his body was lifeless, his mind was active and clear but nobody realized it.
Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. Very powerful!
In 1988, 12-year old Martin Pistorius, fell inexplicably ill. He lost his voice, stopped eating, slept constantly and avoided human contact. Doctors had no idea what was happening to Martin. His illness progressed until he was seemingly in a vegetative state. The cruel irony is that, although his body was lifeless, his mind was active and clear but nobody realized it.
Ghost Boy is the heart-wrenching story of one boy’s return to life through the power of love and faith. Very powerful!
This book is a 100% recommendation for everyone working in health care concerning children and adults with severe brain damage or physical disabilities which impair the patient's abilities to communicate. Always remember: however little you think your patient is aware of, always treat them like they are.
This book might tell an exceptional story that we don't see very often, especially when brain damage is concerned, and some of the experiences might be a little too enthousiastically extended to other people described in the book (for example, I do have some concerns for the woman in the supermarket), but it shows that with no exception, we should always try. As a speech and language pathologist, for me it is always my goal to at least find one way that a patient can communicate with other people. Thank you, Martin, for telling us once again in the most powerful way why communication is the most important skill we all have. I am so glad that you found a way to find your voice again!
This book might tell an exceptional story that we don't see very often, especially when brain damage is concerned, and some of the experiences might be a little too enthousiastically extended to other people described in the book (for example, I do have some concerns for the woman in the supermarket), but it shows that with no exception, we should always try. As a speech and language pathologist, for me it is always my goal to at least find one way that a patient can communicate with other people. Thank you, Martin, for telling us once again in the most powerful way why communication is the most important skill we all have. I am so glad that you found a way to find your voice again!
This book is good. Even though it is a biography, it kept me interested the entire time. Martin describes his life in such detail that you feel you are there with him. He faced such problems and over came such big issues. He is an inspiration. His stories, life lessons, and outlook on life are very interesting. He offers a different perspective. I would recommend this book.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Wow. What a powerful book. I learned so much. I support people with multiple disabilities in my work and this book HUGELY reminded me to slow down, observe, be patient and do all I can to connect and understand . There was some pretty harrowing abuse in the story, but actually the part that made me saddest was how many everyday people in his life treated him like some sort of inert vegetable. The love story at the end made me cry. And wow... Imagine teaching yourself to read at 28 and then going to uni. That blows my mind. I was so happy for him, that he found love and meaningful work after everything he went through. AMAZING story.
This book is a must for anyone who knows someone who lives with disabilities...
This book is a must for anyone who knows someone who lives with disabilities...
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced