Reviews (23)

Funny and real - in the land of Very Scary Things
This is one of the best books I have read lately.It's definitely not a cancer-as-slapstick memoir.Joni Rodgers got horribly sick, could have died, and she pulls no punches as this book surveys the physical, emotional and financial wreckage.
Excellent Combination of Tragedy and Humor!!
I read this book because I asked my fiance to bring me any book from the library and he picked this one because he thought I'd like it...and the reality is that YES I DID LIKE IT.
A note from the author
It's been five years this month (Feb 2006) since BLBH was published, and I still get email from readers every week. Thanks to everyone who's taken the time to post a review or drop me a line! Hope I get a chance to meet and greet many of you as I tour with my new novel, THE SECRET SISTERS. Be well, be joyful. ~ Joni ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1962-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cancer    6. Diseases - Cancer    7. Health    8. Health & Fitness    9. Health/Fitness    10. Lymphomas    11. Medical - General    12. Patients    13. Rodgers, Joni,    14. Specific Groups - Special Needs    15. United States    16. Biography & Autobiography / General    17. Biography & Autobiography    18. Women    19. Medical   

Reviews (7)

Compelling read!
In 1953, when he was a robust 14-year-old, Charles L. Mee was stricken with viral polio. This memoir describes his struggle with polio, and also comments on the treatments (sometimes horrific) that were tried to beat this virus that, in 1953 alone, struck over 50,000 people. His struggle was not an easy one, and his later life wasn't either, but he comes to terms with his limitations, becoming a successful historian and playright. It's a real eye-opener, and he doesn't mince words, which makes for a compelling read.

The Definitive Source
For those interested in understanding the impact of polio, this is the definitive source.No one tells the story like Charles Mee. The depth of his insights are stunning. He makes a powerful comment on the human condition. This book is a MUST READ.

Good polio retrospective
From long experience with this area, Mee's accounts both of the era of his youth and the experiences of polio ring very true from the pen of an accomplished writer. One senses that Mee never really made peace with his disability and its impact, inasmuch as he was able to evade, compensate, head into intellectual endeavors, etc., so there are many polio/disability issues not well dealt with here. (Significantly it ends with his finding an oasis in the intellectual world of the Ivy League and the intellect.) However, one has to suspect that the decision to tell the story, with insight and honesty, may represent at long last a step in addressing what he may have hoped at one time to simply "leave behind." Perhaps there will be a sequel in which his historical training and writing skills are again focused on the complex interrelationships between disability, psyche and society. This is a good read, though, even if it is not the full story. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Childhood Memoir    5. Diseases - Nervous System (incl. Brain)    6. Health    7. Health & Fitness    8. Health/Fitness    9. Illinois    10. Mee, Charles L.    11. Patients    12. Poliomyelitis    13. Specific Groups - Special Needs    14. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Editorial Review

In 1988, Gloria Vanderbilt's 23-year-old son Carter committed suicide. As Vanderbilt looked on, Carter swung away from the terrace wall of her 14th-floor New York apartment and, in Vanderbilt's words, "He let go." In this poignant memoir, Vanderbilt reflects on her own painful history and what she describes as "the final loss, the fatal loss that stripped me bare." She thought, she says, that she could not survive the death of her son. This memoir is a testimony to her courage and her own return to life. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Mostly Plagerizes Husband's Book
I read this book before I read her husband Wyatt Cooper's book, which was written decades before Gloria's book. I was confused to find that almost every single one of Gloria's 'memories' of her sons, mostly centering around Carter, obviously, were almost word for word taken from Wyatt Cooper's novel. This makes her book, titled A Mother's Story, so much more sad for me---does Gloria not have any memories about her sons that are her own?
"No one would ever be a stranger to me again."
Gloria Vanderbilt describes herself as living from earliest childhood in an "unbreakable glass bubble," a sense of being isolated from people because she was unlovable and unworthy, unable to feel deep emotions. Though she knew happiness for the first time with her fourth husband Wyatt Cooper and her sons, she still felt tinges of being cut off from reality.Her husband's death started to crack the unbreakable bubble surrounding her soul, and it shattered completely and forever when she witnessed her son Carter commit suicide, when he was 23.
A Mother's Story
This book is an unexpected jewel that was given to me by a friend during a time in my life where I was struggling with myself and my path in life.Everyone can associate with the events and emotions conveyed in this touching account of a mother losing her son.Honest, personal, and moving, the author invites us into a sacred place and shares her tragedy with the world with loving care.At times I felt embarassed, as if I were trespassing into a private and personal memory.It is more than a book about loss and heart ache, it is a book about life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1924-    2. 1965-1988    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography/Autobiography    7. Case studies    8. Cooper, Carter Vanderbilt,    9. General    10. Mothers    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Suicide    13. Suicide victims    14. United States    15. Vanderbilt, Gloria,    16. Biography & Autobiography / General    17. Cooper, Carter Vanderbilt    18. Vanderbilt, Gloria   

Reviews (1)

IT'S NATURE...NOT NURTURE...
This is a wonderfully written book and a fascinating look into the debate of nature versus nurture in the area of gender assignment. Intelligent and insightful, the author draws a compassionate portrait of a family who, faced with a decision in the wake of a tragedy, relies upon the advice of a well-respected doctor, which reliance turned out to be misplaced. The book details the aftermath of the family's fateful decision and the impact it was to have on them all.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Gender Studies    5. General    6. Medical - General    7. Sex Roles (Sociological Aspects)    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Surgery - General    10. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (34)

No such thing as an uninteresting life
I have several relatives with cancer,including my son who is a childhood leukemia surviver. I bought this book expecting to learn more about dealing with the diagnosis of the "Big C".I got that and much, much more. A veritable shot in the arm!
Hamilton Jordan tells of his inspiring victory over the deadly disease that affects us all in one way or another - cancer.He also tells the intriguing and compelling history of his brief tenure in the White House under Jimmy Carter as well as the inspiring story of his uncle, who fought racism in rural Georgia ahead of his time. Good book..kept me up till 3 am
Not many books kept me up past my bedtime but this ranks as one of them. Jordan is frank, lucid and at times funny but I would prefer if he elaborates on his tenure as chief of staff further. I'm sure the conversation he had with Carter in his old car campaining for this little known person then would interest a lot of people...well he left that part out.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Cancer    6. Diseases - Cancer    7. General    8. Jordan, Hamilton    9. Patients    10. Political    11. Presidents    12. Specific Groups - Special Needs    13. Staff    14. United States    15. Biography: general    16. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    17. USA   

Reviews (5)

Not just about pros- good people facing hard choices
The reviewer who says HA! can't have read this book. Maybe Canseco's book, but not this one.I recently met LaFontaine, a man who loved his sport passionately, and like all professional athletes, was trained to ignore the pain. He now works very hard to create multimedia rooms in hospitals for very ill children. His foundation is called Companions in Courage.
A matter of balance
The previous reviewer does not appear to have read the book.While there a fair amount of discussion about LaFontaine and his career challenges, the book focuses on anonymous, unremarkable people, who manage to accomplish absolutely amazing things.There are several themes running through the book: the crucial role fathers play in the development of their children; the importance of faith in healing families and overcoming obstacles; the power of persistence and determination in changing lives.LaFontaine comes across as a humble, thoughtful, and decent man; there is little self-promotion or self-pity in his writing.Most of the stories (and there are dozens of individuals' stories told in this book) are told in two or three pages, making it perfect for teenagers.I have used these stories in teaching my own family, and in my role as a Church leader. Inspirational? Ha !!
"Triumphant Tales" aims to be the inspiring tale of athletes and the misfortunes they have overcome, but instead succeeds merely at coming across as the sort of touchy-feely,pseudo-inspirational, stories that appear regularly on daytime talk-shows like Oprah and Sally Jesse Raphael. The athletes profiled in this book practically scream "look at the obstacles I have overcome," as if the mere fact that they have encountered hardships makes them simultaneously deserving of our pity and to be looked upon as heroes. The tales the athletes tell become fairly monotonous, with only the inclusion of former NHL star Pat LaFontaine accounting for the fact that this book was even published. The writing is pedestrian - even by sportswriting standards. Moreover, the book has no purpose other than to tell "Triumphant Tales of Heroic Athletes," as the subtitle states a little too obviously. The photo of the Olympic torch on the cover practically begs to be mocked, as if these writershave no sense of irony and actually believe the heroic tales they spin. What role did the NHL, television, and money play in Pat LaFontaine's repeated comebacks, despite the permanent damage that could have resulted from another concussion? This book will never tell, because that would only undermine the familiar template of innocent athlete being struck by (fill-in-the-blank illness) much too early, only to somehow overcome it in the end. Potential buyers be warned - life is too short to spend reading this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. History    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Sports - General    7. Biography & Autobiography / Sports   

Reviews (19)

Enlightening
This book was incredible in helping me to understand the torment and coping mechanisms of children who have been abused.Many people are too quick to judge and condemn rather than try to understand someone who is having difficulty coping with life.Carole Smith's book has opened a door for people who want to understand.
unbelievable
this book is a little unbelievable.the horse connection is just unbelievable.its impossible to believe that such things can happen openly.however, the book is written well and kudos to the author for taking on such a challenge .the author is an angel for adopting alex when he was as wild as an animal .on the whole , the magic castle is worth a read but some people might not believe the things that happened to alex.

I'm not convinved this was a real story
I know NOTHING about MPD and would not even begin to comment on that aspect of the book other than to say it was enlightening. That being said, I don't know if I believe the stories of abuse this child supposedly went through.It all seems a little far fetched to me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Mental Illness    3. Psychology    4. Specific Groups - Special Needs   

Reviews (5)

Remarkable women with feet of clay
This is the best biography about Annie Sullivan and Helen Keller that I have read. Since I was a child I have been fascinated by them and have read everything that I could get my hands on. Lash goes beyond their heroism and describes Annie and Helen as real people with "feet of clay."
Informative!
Informative!It does get a bit long & wordy at times, but it's a fair representation of Helen & Annie's lives.The more I read about Annie Sullivan, the more I like her.I think it was a real shame that Arthur & Kate Keller felt threatened by the close bond Annie had with Helen.I think Arthur & Kate just wanted Helen to be "trained," but not really the free independent spirit she was meant to be.I'm so glad Annie stood by her & helped her become a free person & became a lifelong friend to Helen as well.Annie was very open about whatever failings she'd had & was a warm, loving supportive guide in Helen's life.I get the feeling Helen & Annie had almost a mother-daugher-like bond, which of course practically killed Arthur & Kate.The stupid thing was, the Keller parents wanted to just shift over the responibility to Annie of educating her & getting her to fit into society, yet wanted total control over Helen's life.If anyone was manipulative & controlling, it was Arthur & Kate.Esp. Arthur, I think was really patronizing & downright domineering toward Annie.Kate didn't help matters either & when I read about her attempts to break Helen & Pete up later on & her consent to try to split Helen & Annie up, I really lost respect for Kate.I know I'm slamming Kate & Arthur here, but I see Annie as more of a loving parent figure in Helen's life.I really commend Annie for standing strong against Helen's domineering, manipulative parents.Oh, boy, was that John Macy a real creep!I was sooo glad Annie got away from him; he accused Annie of being "manipulative & controlling" when he was controlling himself!He KNEW Annie & Helen had a tight bond, yet after he married Annie, he started giving poor Annie a hard time about it!What was really contemptable was that John wrote to Kate & others badmouthing Annie behind her back & it's good that the book exposed that clearly.That made me lose respect for John too; sorry, but I have no sympathy for John Macy.I think Annie tried really hard to be a good wife, yet John just criticized her for being too close to Helen. Poor Annie, it was sad reading about her heartbreak.It was touching & kind of reassuring to read that it was Helen who came to Annie's support when Annie couldn't stop crying for several days over John.It was Helen who fired a letter off to John blasting him for badmouthing Annie.I cheered when Helen was the one who helped Annie get back on her feet, esp. since I hear that John cleaned out the Macys' joint account & closed it without Annie's consent & Annie had to struggle to get her career going again.Boy, was it inspiring to read about Annie's heart healing & her getting her writing going again as well as back on her feet financially!I love how Helen & Annie stood by each other all the way & once Polly joined them, stood by them too. Annie's shaky pride suffered a lot of blows in her life, but always she managed to get back on her feet.I always knew Helen was forever grateful to Annie for freeing her from her early wordless prison & helping her get started to an independent free life & Helen showed this gratitude by being the one to take care of Annie when Annie grew old & frail & went permanently blind.It was a touching mother-daugher bond almost...when Helen was young, Annie looked out for her, then the roles reversed; when Annie got older & weaker, Helen was the one to look out for her & it was great that Helen was able to be by her bedside when her mentor & friend died.What was wonderful also was that Annie was a really sweet, accepting person; she had so many problems in her life, yet never sank into self-pity; she even made wry jokes about her blindness & even wrote a self-effacing column "Foolish Remarks From a Foolish Woman."That part cracked me up!Annie was a quick-tempered little thing, but was quick to forgive & had a big heart & I'm glad this book acknowledged that.Even Helen said that Annie was generous "to a fault."But the last best gift Annie gave Helen was the capacity to be completely independent, even from her, so once Annie died, with only a little help from Polly, Helen was able to live a free life, even long after Annie was gone.I say kudos to both Helen Keller & Anne Sullivan!!!!

SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP
The lives of Helen Keller and her teacher, Ann Sullivan Macy are eternally intertwined.Helen Keller, blind and deaf since infancy depended on Annie since the age of 6 when the latter was hired to teach her.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1880-1968    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Blind-deaf    6. Historical - U.S.    7. Keller, Helen,    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. Teachers of the blind-deaf    10. United States    11. Women    12. Biography: general   

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Composers & Musicians - Classical Vocalists    5. Composers & Musicians - General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (16)

This is a terrible book
I usually do not write book reviews, but I thought it was important to add a review of this book so that other people don't waste their money.This is the worst book I have ever read on addiction.Basically, the author describes her pain regarding her sexual addiction and describes scenerios she encountered in detail.The book reads more like [...] than a self-help manual.If you are looking for a self-help text or a text to assist patients with this problem, this is definitely not the right text!!!!!

Courageous and Compassionate
Review of Love Sick: One Woman's Journey Through Sexual Addiction by Sue William Silverman (Norton, 2001) Memoir. ISBN: 0-393-01957-8
a courageous woman with an important message
I stumbled upon this book by accident and am very glad I did. Even though I don't have this addiction that Sue Silverman describes, I still find it a fascinating account. For one thing, addiction, in general, is such a part of our culture, that Silverman is, in a way, describing more than "one woman's journey."She describes the way so many of us live addicted lives, regardless of the addiction. The book is also beautifully written. She's a real writer. She is also a role model, showing the way for how the rest of us might live more spiritually and more humanly. I hope many, many people read this compelling memoir. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Case studies    6. General    7. Sex addiction    8. Sex addicts    9. Silverman, Sue William    10. Specific Groups - Special Needs    11. Substance Abuse & Addictions - Sexual    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography: general    15. Illness & addiction: social aspects    16. Sexual abuse   

Reviews (27)

A Book Everyone Should Read
I truly believe this book should be read by everyone, not just people that are going into the mental health field.I was required to ready it for a Social Work class I am currently taking at the undergraduate level; however, I can say without a doubt it is by far the best book I have ever read!Lachenmeyer really brings home the stigma and heartache that is experienced by people and their loved ones suffering from such a debilitating mental illness.Most people are unaware of the devastating effects mental illness can have on a person and their family.This book highlights so many issues concerning mental health as to responsibilities of people in the system, stigma, prejudice, and the tolerance of society in general to someone suffering from mental illness.Moreover, this book was really an awakening that this could happen to anyone at any time.I wish everyone could read this book as it really teaches a lesson on humanity!!

Heartbreaking and poignant
THE OUTSIDER brought the pain and the struggles of Charles Lachenmeyer to life. Charles was a brillant sociology professor who gradually was transformed into a victim of paranoid schizophrenia. Even at his lowest points, he kept trying, and he kept believing in humanity. In one letter to the author, he wrote, "No matter how adverse the circumstances--and mine have been adverse--there is never any reason to give up . . ."
The Outsider
I found the Outsider to be a fascinating book, one that really opened my eyes to the problems encountered by those suffereing from mental illness and schizophrenia.The son's journey to understand the father and piece together the last few years of his life is heart-wrenching and the reader truly sympathizes with his pain and anguish.A terrific book that I heartily recommend. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. General    5. Mental Illness    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Biography & Autobiography / General   

Reviews (13)

Not a true family story
This book was a dissapointment to me.I know that her other children didn't want to be mentioned in this book, but even if they had been mentioned Im not sure it would have mattered.This is not a story about Temple or her family.It is however a book about Temples mom and her life, not necessarily her life involving anyone else.She is a priviledged woman who isn't too in touch with anyone but herself.After reading the inside cover I was hopeful that this book was exactly what I was looking for, but I was misled.The book is nothing like the cover's brief insight into life, but more like a bunch of similies and metaphors stuffed together in random order.It seemed sometimes as if she couldn't complete a thought or even a short story about Temple with out rambling on like some theater major putting on an over the top monologue. "A chink, I think I found a chink!"If you can get through all these ramblings you may find one complete thought that could potentially be helpful. I didn't however.
Inspirational story
This was an excellent read and made more inspirational when one realises the challenges Temple's mother had within her marriage. Great to also read about Temple's recovery through hard work and more moving because this was over 50 years ago. Would highly recommend this book.

One Mother to Another
I am also the parent of a child with autism and have endured some of the same struggles as Eustacia Cutler.I applaud her for sharing those struggles with the rest of us, making us realize that we are not alone.This is a very informative book about the mysteries of autism, providing lots of information not readily available to the rest of us.I think it is a "must read" for those of us with autism in our family and to give some understanding to the rest of the world. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Children with Special Needs    5. General    6. Specific Groups - Special Needs    7. Biography & Autobiography / General    8. Biography: general    9. Coping with disability    10. Family & Relationships/Children with Special Needs   

Reviews (4)

Wonderful!
I love these people!This book is written with immense love and is the most touching story I have ever heard.It is worth reading for anyone, not just those with family members who have cancer.

How to live with cancer AND navigate the medical system!
Eric's wife Joan was diagnosed with cancer and despite her near-perfect record of eating well and exercising right - and her medical background which should have lent to learn diagnosis - she struggled with cancer and the medical system alike. LESSONS FROM JOAN: LIVING AND LOVING WITH CANCER, A HUSBAND'S STORY offers far more than the usual memoir, however: its most valuable contribution lies in its lessons on how to navigate the medical system, how to obtain results in the face of obstacles, and how families can endure both diagnosis and treatment. This powerful story holds many lessons and much advice for any facing similar struggles, and is a high recommended pick.
Many Lessons For Everyone
A book this rich with information, experience and insight profoundly affects different readers in different ways, and for different reasons.I loaned it to my friend, whose sister has a terminal cancer condition much like Joan's in the book.My friend said it helped her face the fact that her sister is dying, whereas she had been in a state of denial before reading "Lessons From Joan."
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Cancer    4. Death, Grief, Bereavement    5. Diseases - Cancer    6. Family & Relationships    7. Family relationships    8. Family/Marriage    9. Patients    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Specific Groups - Special Needs    12. Coping with illness   

Reviews (1)

Inspirational -- You will appreciate life more after reading
I saw Jackie Pflug speak at a luncheon and I knew I had to buy her book.Her speech was the most inspirational I have ever heard and I have been a "junkie" of inspirational speeches.The book did not disappoint.Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Inspirational - General    5. Specific Groups - Special Needs    6. Women    7. Biography: general    8. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    9. Popular psychology    10. Self-Help / Substance Abuse   

Reviews (30)

Meh, I'm not impressed.
While I haven't finished reading this book, I am only 40 pages in and already I can't stand Mark Vonnegut. I'll try to plod through it, but he is as daft as his father and equally starry eyed and jaded about reality. Kurt was a gifted writer in spite of his craziness; his son is just a spoiled hippie with a pen and a famous dad, from the looks of it. If you want a scattershot description of communal life, I guess this is ok as a document of it, these things are always peculiarly interesting. But I doubt I'm gonna have any epiphanies from reading this lightweight book.
A terribly compelling and incredible story
Two years ago I was diagnosed with schizophrenia, and have since been put on medication and fully recovered. My therapist suggested that I read Mark Vonnegut's telling of the descent into schizophrenia. I've read other accounts of schizophrenia, but Mark's definitely takes the cake in terms of realism. I'm not even sure if I can finish the book, the book is so unsettling for me. If someone you care about has schizophrenia, read this book, it will help you understand what this disease does.

A great schizophrenia memoir
There are only a handful of memoirs about schizophrenia, and this book and "The Quiet Room" are probably the best ones available.The author apparently inherited his father's excellent writing and storytelling abilities, as this is an engaging and insightful description of life in the 1960s and the descent into and emergence from schizophrenia.The description of the illness alone makes the book worth reading, and is in some ways reminiscent of "Darkness Visible" and "The Bell Jar".The book is also quite humorous.Highly recommended. Avery Z. Conner, author of "Fevers of the Mind". ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Mental Illness    4. Mental health    5. Psychology    6. Schizophrenics    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs    8. Vonnegut, Mark    9. Biography: general    10. Coping with illness    11. Dutch    12. Literary Collections / Essays   

Reviews (5)

A gem
This book is enchanting, wonderful, and beyond description, except to say it is a testament to the human spirit.
amazing
This book is amazing, I am 15 and I read it, my mother at 39 read it, my grandma read it and my younger sister at 13 read it. Everyone takes away some different, but something wonderful from this book.It is absolutely indescribable, you have to read it; right now, order it, read it, it will change your outlook on life.

Don't Miss This Treasure
This is a beautiful book on so many levels.The author's voice, the author's spirit, the author's technique of storytelling are awe inspiring.If you have been led to this page, take it as a sign and order this book, reading it is an experience and I can't wait to read it again.If you are looking for a gift to give someone else then this is it, but read it first yourself so that you can trully share it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1890-1942    2. 20th century    3. Authors, American    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Castine    9. Children with Special Needs    10. General    11. Hathaway, Katharine Butler,    12. Literary    13. Maine    14. Patients    15. Pott's disease    16. Specific Groups - Special Needs    17. Women    18. Biography & Autobiography / General    19. Biography: general    20. Coping with disability   

Reviews (3)

A book that I would read again later.
My first book by Kenzaburo was Silent Cry.Recently I read A Healing Family and found that I really liked it a lot.Yukari's illustrations were beautiful.This book made me feel closer to Oe's family.It is very heart-warming. Superb and touching portrait of a family.
Kenzaburo Oe, the Japanese novelist who won the 1994 Nobel Prize for Literature, was 28 when his son, Hikari, was born.This event was the most important in Oe's life.Born with a herniated brain, Hikari has needed almost constant care since birth."A Healing Family" is Oe's first non-fiction attempt to make sense of Hikari's life and the effect it has had on the people around him, most importantly his family. A wonderful, soothing book of love....
Hard to believe that no one else has written a review of this book becauseit is excellent...Oe's manner of dealing with his son's affliction andthe effects it has on his family is truly amazing...His manner is trulyone of love and serenity....Without any reservations, I recommendthisbook to anyone who wants to know more about "heart"... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Literary    5. Medical - General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Specific Groups - Special Needs   

Reviews (1)

A Witness To AIDS In Africa
In WITNESS TO AIDS, Edwin Cameron, a white South African judge discusses the AIDS pandemic in that nation and the world from both the political and the personal for he is a gay man living with AIDS-- and a very brave and compassionate one. Cameron understands totally that he is a lucky man because of the color of his skin and his relatively affluent position. He is able to afford the drugs that keep him alive but are out of the reach of most black Africans.
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Diseases - AIDS & HIV    3. Gay Studies    4. Personal Memoirs    5. Social Science    6. Sociology    7. Sociology - General    8. Specific Groups - Special Needs    9. AIDS: social aspects