Helpful Score: 4
This was a wonderful book from beginning to end. A story of how having an autistic child can just about ruin a family. Painful and sad at times, but written so well you cared for the characters and read on hoping it ends the *right* way. Highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 3
This is the story of a mom that knows deep down there's something "not right" about her 2 year old son. Her husband, her therapist, her friends all say she's nuts. And then comes the diagnosis. It is the story of frustration, guilt, but also of never giving up, of hope. I really enjoyed reading this and recommend it to anyone who has small children, and even those who don't (like me). It has a nice satisfying ending, and you'll think twice about the kid acting up in the grocery cart next to you.
Helpful Score: 3
I absolutely loved this book. Even though I am not a mother myself, I fell in love with Melanie's personality and could feel her heartache and joys as if they were my own. It was a quick, satisfying read.
Helpful Score: 3
I really enjoyed this book - so much of what she described about dealing with having a child with a disability makes me think that she must have dealt with this on a personal level. The book really nails the emotional frenzy accompanying such a diagnosis. It was a sad book, but really, probably eye-opening for those who have no real experience in dealing with autism, Fragile X Syndrome, or any other developmental delays. I don't know how effective this play therapy would have in real life - I can certainly see it working for some kids, but the quick progress that Daniel made put the book firmly in fiction, based on what I have seen. Still, I don't know that you could really have a book be enjoyable with little progress made over a short time frame.
Actually, the best part of the novel, I thought was that in the end, the mother makes the right decision regarding her marriage. The author really did a terrific job of vilifying the husband - an understandable villain, I suppose, but a villain nonetheless. Still, this was a good, if rather sad book, that did a good job with a tough subject.
Actually, the best part of the novel, I thought was that in the end, the mother makes the right decision regarding her marriage. The author really did a terrific job of vilifying the husband - an understandable villain, I suppose, but a villain nonetheless. Still, this was a good, if rather sad book, that did a good job with a tough subject.
Helpful Score: 3
This was a very thought-provoking book. If you have ever dealt with a child with a communications disorder, it will touch a nerve.
Helpful Score: 2
Having been a special education teacher I found this book very interesting and pretty accurate as well. It's a good fast read and well written.
Helpful Score: 1
Incredible story! Insightful, touching, and inspiring!
Helpful Score: 1
here is a novel about having an autistic child and what it can do to a marriage. i live this story but i did find this book believable. the mother in the story is relentless in her pursuit of help for her son and the dad is too distant (but he is also british)...a good read.
Helpful Score: 1
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was a nice to take a break from my typical autism and behavior and child development books and read this novel. And I did find myself wanting to pick it back up after putting it down, and the story was pretty right on, as far as stress on a marriage. But everything came together a little bit too perfectly for me.
I do, however, think this would be a good book for someone who doesn't live with an autistic child, to get a glimpse of what it might be like.
I do, however, think this would be a good book for someone who doesn't live with an autistic child, to get a glimpse of what it might be like.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good summer book, a quick read. It is a great story about a mother's determination to do the best AND be the best for her children. I agree with some others though, that things are tied up a little too easily to be completely believable, but that's why it's fiction. I enjoyed seeing the transition of the mother from her past confident self to panicky to again self-assured. Maybe not for parents of autistic children, though it certainly highlights the real-life stress on many families, but perhaps a light for others who are struglling to understand the struggles and stress on the families directly affected by children dealing with developmental issues.
Helpful Score: 1
Nice, easy read. A great summer novel!
Helpful Score: 1
This story is a deeply moving,absorbing story of a loving family in crisis. When Daniel is diagnosed with autism, they all have to learn how to help him. Very moving. I didn't want to put it down.
Helpful Score: 1
Reasonably compelling, although I found the symptoms of autism a bit too by-the-book and the use of behaviorism a little too silver-bullet-esque, but maybe that just means I've done too much other reading.
Helpful Score: 1
Didn't get into it at first, but once I did I couldn't put it down!
Great Book!!
Great Book!!
This was a fantastic read!! I learned so much more about children such as Daniel and the lifetime of fear, frustration and continuous hope that takes place in the hearts of the parents. I was sorry when I was finished with the book. I passed it on to two other friends so far and they felt the same way.
This book is a keeper so I will not be trading it in.
This book is a keeper so I will not be trading it in.
A very good book about the effects and emotions associated with the diagnosis of autism has on a family. Each parent deals with the diagnosis in a different way.
I loved this book--couldn't put it down!
Good story. For anyone who has not been exposed directly to autism, this is an excellent inside look at what life is like with such a child. Gives good insight into the behaviors and the therapies. D.
A sweet, funny story of a mother's agony when she realizes that her child isn't going to be like other children.
A wonderful read!
A wonderful read!
I didn't find this book to be very realistic. There was more "fanatic" than "fact" in this book, including passages accusing vaccines of causing autism (there's no proof of a link between the two). The plot was incredibly predictable, and the characters didn't really seem to grow over the course of the novel. The entire character of the daughter was ignored--surely her mother's obsession with her brother would've affected her in some way, but her character wasn't developed at all.
I suppose if it's read entirely as fiction, it's acceptable, but keep in mind that the little boy in the book is an extreme example of autism and that his mother demonstrates an extreme reaction in response to it. Maybe I'd have related to her better if I were a mother, but I know a mother of an autistic child who never reacted in such a fashion and her daughter's improving every day.
I suppose if it's read entirely as fiction, it's acceptable, but keep in mind that the little boy in the book is an extreme example of autism and that his mother demonstrates an extreme reaction in response to it. Maybe I'd have related to her better if I were a mother, but I know a mother of an autistic child who never reacted in such a fashion and her daughter's improving every day.
