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gillianalice's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
This book is important, but I didn't love it. I'm mostly glad I read it because when I think of Helen Keller, I think of her in the Miracle Worker at the moment of comprehension. I never considered her life after that. This book is a good reminder that she was a whole person who lived and loved and had a meaningful life.
conorak's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.0
I was a little disappointed that the letters only extended to 1901, despite the foreword's promise that Hellen Keller's story was about more than her disability (and it certainly was!). Yet, at so early a point in her life, only the seeds of her later political convictions are occasionally found scattered in bits and pieces of her correspondences.
Still, it's a fascinating and perplexing read, though sometimes a bit dull and repetitive.
Still, it's a fascinating and perplexing read, though sometimes a bit dull and repetitive.
wintermote's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
Interesting account of her own life. Certainly didn’t feel like it was written over 100 years ago! I am now off to read about contemporary reactions and reception to its original publication.
ryner's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
3.0
When a toddler, Helen Keller was stricken with a devastating illness which left her both deaf and blind. With no means of communicating her desires, needs or emotions with her family members, her next few years were tumultuous for all. Anne Sullivan, a teacher, arrived at their home when Keller was six years old and was successful over time in breaking through Keller's veil of darkness and silence, beginning by teaching her the names of objects in her environment by spelling words into her hand. Keller ultimately learned to read braille, to write and type using a braille typewriter, and even to speak aloud with intensive coaching. She also became a student of history, mathematics, and multiple languages, and graduated from college. This is the first of her autobiographies, written at age twenty.
In my youth I had read an abridged-for-children version of this autobiography, and that, combined with cultural knowledge absorbed, made her story already feel pretty familiar. As the book is overall relatively brief, the addition of correspondence was interesting, particularly Keller's earliest efforts, but I grew somewhat bored with her letters after a while. When I try to imagine how one could successfully learn abstract concepts without the benefit of sight or hearing it kind of blows my mind. Keller was clearly possessed of great intelligence and a brain starved for learning during her years of darkness. As someone with full use of all my senses I have difficulty imagining the rigor of her studies, not to mention the selfless dedication of Sullivan whose constant presence, and who had to spell every single word of every conversation and in every textbook out for Keller using the hand alphabet, made Keller's achievements possible. I find it impossible that Sullivan didn't experience burnout, but her own feelings about her 50-year commitment are rarely spoken of.
In my youth I had read an abridged-for-children version of this autobiography, and that, combined with cultural knowledge absorbed, made her story already feel pretty familiar. As the book is overall relatively brief, the addition of correspondence was interesting, particularly Keller's earliest efforts, but I grew somewhat bored with her letters after a while. When I try to imagine how one could successfully learn abstract concepts without the benefit of sight or hearing it kind of blows my mind. Keller was clearly possessed of great intelligence and a brain starved for learning during her years of darkness. As someone with full use of all my senses I have difficulty imagining the rigor of her studies, not to mention the selfless dedication of Sullivan whose constant presence, and who had to spell every single word of every conversation and in every textbook out for Keller using the hand alphabet, made Keller's achievements possible. I find it impossible that Sullivan didn't experience burnout, but her own feelings about her 50-year commitment are rarely spoken of.
pinks_paperbacks's review against another edition
4.0
The book is worded so beautifully that it touched me immensely. I am quoting a line from the book that was said to Helen Keller "Some day you will write a great story out of your own head, that will be a comfort and help to many." The quote is apt for her as her own life's story is so inspiring. It does give us the comfort in aknowledging the strength and perseverace she had in her that despite many (and few obvious) obstacles she kept reaching her goals and making new ones. Her never-give-up attitude even after number of exhausting periods of desolation and discouragements motivates us to keep getting up no matter how many times we fall.
It is a short but strong read.
It is a short but strong read.