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pianorunner421's review against another edition
3.0
After reading The Story Of My Life, I was more curious about Anne Sullivan. This is a very well written biography that looks deeper into Teacher's personality and life
lory_enterenchanted's review against another edition
It's a fine idea to focus on Anne Sullivan Macy, the brilliant, damaged woman who has always been in the shadow of her famous student, but due to the loss or absence of primary material, Nielsen has to step in with much speculation, much "perhaps" and "could have been." Some of this is inevitable when writing biography, but here it begins to seem like padding. And I object to the frequent "must have beens" which assume feeling and thoughts which may or may not have been the case.
I ended up feeling it would have been more interesting and revelatory to read the original source material, the letters and autobiographical manuscripts from Macy that do exist, with linking notes and commentary, rather than subjecting her to so much external interpretation.
I ended up feeling it would have been more interesting and revelatory to read the original source material, the letters and autobiographical manuscripts from Macy that do exist, with linking notes and commentary, rather than subjecting her to so much external interpretation.
endomental's review against another edition
4.0
It's hard to separate Anne Sullivan from Helen Keller, but author Kim Nielsen does certainly try.
Keller is kept on the periphery as much as possible in this biography, which pushes Annie's pedagogical accomplishments and tries to delve into her psychology. That Sullivan was argumentative and headstrong was probably what kept her alive and sane during her childhood years in the almhouse, and what pushed her to push young Helen Keller into communication. It also made her a difficult woman in many ways, and the book may rationalize, but doesn't apologize for her.
Keller is kept on the periphery as much as possible in this biography, which pushes Annie's pedagogical accomplishments and tries to delve into her psychology. That Sullivan was argumentative and headstrong was probably what kept her alive and sane during her childhood years in the almhouse, and what pushed her to push young Helen Keller into communication. It also made her a difficult woman in many ways, and the book may rationalize, but doesn't apologize for her.
dotsonapage's review against another edition
3.0
I actually firs found out about this book because my 84-year-old Nanna brought it to the pool with her a few weeks ago and was telling me about it. Then it was finally added to Bookshare and I could read it for myself. Everyone knows the story of Helen Keller, but few are particularly familiar with the life story of her teacher and lifelong friend and companion, Annie Sullivan. This book provides insight into Sullivan's ackground, from her traumatic childhood to her years at Perkins School for the Blind. Through letters, diary entries and previously published works it explores Sullivan's relationships with major figures in her life, including Helen and Sullivan's husband John Macy. And t provides a glimpse into the heart and mind of a woman who struggled with her past, those in authority and her own multiple disabilities. A very interesting and well-researched book that I'd recommend to anyone with an interest in Helen Keller or teaching.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
This biography is a much-needed examination of the complex Annie Sullivan Macy, whom Nielson asserts, correctly, deserves more from us than the usual caricature of the Super Educator who miraculously taught Helen Keller language. In many of the books I've read on Keller, the figure of Sullivan is one-dimensional, her life a mere derivative of Keller's. I really enjoyed this examination of a complex, imperfect woman who lived an extraordinary life. I especially appreciated some of the material on her marriage--I'd seen so very little about this.
Caveats--there is a lot of speculation here, as the often-scanty record necessitates, especially about Sullivan's early life. I think Nielson does a pretty good job, however, handling the questions arising from the lack of material.
Caveats--there is a lot of speculation here, as the often-scanty record necessitates, especially about Sullivan's early life. I think Nielson does a pretty good job, however, handling the questions arising from the lack of material.
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