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meghan111's review against another edition
4.0
Edelweiss ebook ARC - publication date June 2017.
Fascinating look at Williams Syndrome - a genetic condition affecting 1 in 10,000 people in which a handful of genes are deleted from a chromosome. Features of the condition include developmental delays and health problems, but also highly social personalities, verbal skills, and musical ability.
Following 12-year-old Eli and his mom Gayle over the course of several years, this is an indictment of our health care system and a society which makes it almost impossible for the parents of children with special needs to keep from drowning in medical debt and working to exhaustion as caregivers to their kids. I was impressed by the author's ability to articulate Gayle's fears and worries about Eli - his trusting nature and childlike demeanor as he enters puberty and high school make him vulnerable in many ways. Gayle also has a lot of family support while raising Eli as a single mother, and she also is able to treasure and appreciate him, even as she feels isolated from others because of the challenges she faces.
The author also explains genetics in a way that was interesting and reminded me of [b: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks|6493208|The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks|Rebecca Skloot|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878144s/6493208.jpg|6684634] in its ability to intersperse science with a more personal narrative.
Fascinating look at Williams Syndrome - a genetic condition affecting 1 in 10,000 people in which a handful of genes are deleted from a chromosome. Features of the condition include developmental delays and health problems, but also highly social personalities, verbal skills, and musical ability.
Following 12-year-old Eli and his mom Gayle over the course of several years, this is an indictment of our health care system and a society which makes it almost impossible for the parents of children with special needs to keep from drowning in medical debt and working to exhaustion as caregivers to their kids. I was impressed by the author's ability to articulate Gayle's fears and worries about Eli - his trusting nature and childlike demeanor as he enters puberty and high school make him vulnerable in many ways. Gayle also has a lot of family support while raising Eli as a single mother, and she also is able to treasure and appreciate him, even as she feels isolated from others because of the challenges she faces.
The author also explains genetics in a way that was interesting and reminded me of [b: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks|6493208|The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks|Rebecca Skloot|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327878144s/6493208.jpg|6684634] in its ability to intersperse science with a more personal narrative.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This is the coming of age story of Eli D'Angelo, but unlike any other of this genre. Eli was born with Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder that removes any social skepticism. Eli believes everyone is his friend (even dangerous types) and this sadly makes him a target to danger. The chapters alternate between Eli's story and the history/research of Williams Syndrome, which is often called the opposite of autism.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
mesy_mark's review against another edition
5.0
A highly entertaining book that weaves memoir of a woman named Gayle who has a son, Eli, with a lifelong genetic disorder causing extreme impairment in his life. The disorder is Williams Syndrome. And a key feature is pathological friendliness that means the person with the disorder will trust anyone that shows them attention, even strangers who do not even acknowledge the one with the disorder.
This book, which I listened to by a good narrator, had a good combination of science that is explained in a format that may understand and documenting the life of Eli up o his high school years. You see a give all child to a moody teen. But like the disorder implies, it is fraught with hardships. Intellectual disability, wanting to hug everything insight, dealing with male issues. This book covers baby years, to elementary, to middle school and finally high school.
Overall it was a great read, well listen. I got invested at the characters and their lives wishing the best for them.
This book, which I listened to by a good narrator, had a good combination of science that is explained in a format that may understand and documenting the life of Eli up o his high school years. You see a give all child to a moody teen. But like the disorder implies, it is fraught with hardships. Intellectual disability, wanting to hug everything insight, dealing with male issues. This book covers baby years, to elementary, to middle school and finally high school.
Overall it was a great read, well listen. I got invested at the characters and their lives wishing the best for them.
mimi_book_mouse's review against another edition
4.0
This non-fiction novel follows Gayle and her son, Elie, on their journey to learn to cope and live with a genetic disorder called Willams syndrome. Elie, who is born with this genetic disability, is now 12 years old and this book explains the ups and downs of the syndrome, as well as how the missing chromosome makes him pathologically friendly with anybody.
This was a little gem. Easy to read. Fast paced. Not too focused on the scientific side, nor too much on the social/ethical side.
I liked that the author did a lot of her research on Williams syndrome, but also on other genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome or references to autism, making the readers’ overall understanding easier.
I would have liked to read from more perspectives from other families raising a child with Williams syndrome or just other Williams syndrome advocates to tell their stories alongside Eli’s one, but I understand that Latson wanted to shine all the lights on him and him only for recognition.
I recommend it to anyone really, because anyone can take a little something from this novel.
This was a little gem. Easy to read. Fast paced. Not too focused on the scientific side, nor too much on the social/ethical side.
I liked that the author did a lot of her research on Williams syndrome, but also on other genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome or references to autism, making the readers’ overall understanding easier.
I would have liked to read from more perspectives from other families raising a child with Williams syndrome or just other Williams syndrome advocates to tell their stories alongside Eli’s one, but I understand that Latson wanted to shine all the lights on him and him only for recognition.
I recommend it to anyone really, because anyone can take a little something from this novel.
thuglibrarian's review against another edition
3.0
This is the coming of age story of Eli D'Angelo, but unlike any other of this genre. Eli was born with Williams Syndrome, a genetic disorder that removes any social skepticism. Eli believes everyone is his friend (even dangerous types) and this sadly makes him a target to danger. The chapters alternate between Eli's story and the history/research of Williams Syndrome, which is often called the opposite of autism.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
I read an advance copy and was not compensated.
drizzydre's review
4.0
The ending was so touching - had me straight up ugly crying at my kitchen table. I really enjoyed learning about Williams Syndrome through Gayle and Eli’s experiences.
jennyrpotter's review
4.0
At times it read like a textbook, but at times it read like a page-turner. I loved the information about Williams Syndrome and the unique perspective of one family's journey.
seyfert's review
5.0
This is an incredibly well-written story about a boy with Williams Syndrome and his mother who only wants what is best for him, and trying to figure out how to achieve it in a world that may not be as receptive of him. It is equal parts narrative non-fiction, based on a real-life family and their obstacles in dealing with a rare disorder, and equal parts science in the genetic basis of the disorder as well as its history. Anyone with any interest in genetics, in various mental disabilities, or simply a wonderful story of a caring family will find this to be worth your time to read.
And in case you did read it, but not to the very literal last page, this is worth sharing:
https://www.youcaring.com/gayle-and-eli-d-angelo-668294
And in case you did read it, but not to the very literal last page, this is worth sharing:
https://www.youcaring.com/gayle-and-eli-d-angelo-668294