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emp1234's review against another edition
3.0
This book felt very brave and authentic. I have little to no experience with children, but this book still touched me.
akstoft's review against another edition
Couldn’t tolerate author’s use of the R word
Also, it skipped all over chronologically. Not chapter by chapter, but within a chapter. One paragraph, she’s pregnant with Adam and another he’s nine years old.
Also, it skipped all over chronologically. Not chapter by chapter, but within a chapter. One paragraph, she’s pregnant with Adam and another he’s nine years old.
Content Warnings
Repeated use of the R word
mrs_george's review against another edition
3.0
A rather puzzling read. I enjoyed reading about her struggles and then acceptance of her son's diagnosis. I found the parts where she talked of the somewhat paranormal experiences as confusing. I want to believe but yet I don't fully believe. I don't really know, like I said it was a puzzling read. I really dislike the use of the word "retarded" throughout the book. I feel like its use was completely unnecessary. I wondered if the author used it in the way some African-Americans use the "n" word. Like if they say it themselves it makes it less of a derogatory word. Whatever the reasons for the author using it, I still found it completely uncomfortable.
elementarybookworm's review against another edition
I kept trying to enjoy this, but it always felt more like homework to read it.
sweetheart_ok's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Martha Beck offers an inside look at what it was like to conceive and carry a child with special needs in the 80s. Her account is witty, sarcastic, and whimsical. She openly and un-apologetically presents far-fetched theories, directly admitting that they won't be accepted by academic circles. Instead, she insists that she is a reformed cynic herself who has been converted by the very son she carries in her womb, This book helped me see Down Syndrome in a new light and brought wonder to my heart.
alexandrahope91's review against another edition
I loaned this book to one of my friends 9 years ago and she never returned it. I would like it back. You know who you are.
I think this memoir was good? I think. I can’t remember. I remember being upset a lot while reading it. I don’t know if it’s because if it made me happy-sad, or just mad. I’m always going to have bias towards people who think they’re important enough to apply to Harvard (and then actually go there) and then shove it in your face every other page.
Actually I don’t want this book back, keep it Doreen.
I think this memoir was good? I think. I can’t remember. I remember being upset a lot while reading it. I don’t know if it’s because if it made me happy-sad, or just mad. I’m always going to have bias towards people who think they’re important enough to apply to Harvard (and then actually go there) and then shove it in your face every other page.
Actually I don’t want this book back, keep it Doreen.
heatherer's review against another edition
2.0
The writing in this book is terrific. It is fascinating and engaging. But about 1/3 of the way in, I concluded that the author had to be making some of it up and also that her lack of a worldview for interpreting her experiences left them devoid of meaning.