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bethpeninger's review against another edition
3.0
Clara Claiborne Park writes an informative piece on life with an autistic child - adult. My friend, Marcia, recommended it knowing that I love to read about different topics but at a level that the normal person can comprehend! :)
Park does a good job painting a picture of Jessy and how she thinks. It gives the reader another side to the life of an autistic person and their family. I was impressed with the efforts of the family to educate Jessy, to give her normal life jobs, etc. They raised an extremely bright woman who no doubt made progress in spite of autism because of her family and their involvement in her life.
My complaint with the book was its inability to really capture me. Perhaps that was me and my divided attentions while trying to read it or perhaps it was because some of Park's chapters get long and fairly repetitive. After so many chapters of describing Jessy's paintings and thought processes I felt like saying, at times, "Okay I get it - can we move on?"
But all in all it was a good read that provided me with more information about life with autism.
Park does a good job painting a picture of Jessy and how she thinks. It gives the reader another side to the life of an autistic person and their family. I was impressed with the efforts of the family to educate Jessy, to give her normal life jobs, etc. They raised an extremely bright woman who no doubt made progress in spite of autism because of her family and their involvement in her life.
My complaint with the book was its inability to really capture me. Perhaps that was me and my divided attentions while trying to read it or perhaps it was because some of Park's chapters get long and fairly repetitive. After so many chapters of describing Jessy's paintings and thought processes I felt like saying, at times, "Okay I get it - can we move on?"
But all in all it was a good read that provided me with more information about life with autism.
flordemaga's review
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
3.75
An interesting look into the life of one autistic person as told by her mother. It is very clear that the author loves her daughter, and wants her to have a good life, but sometimes it feels a bit infantilizing or like it makes sweeping generalizations.
It is, however, a very clear look into the world of autism — as seen specifically by Clara when it comes to Jessy, in the late 90s (this is a 2001 book). We have come quite far when it comes to understanding and knowledge of autism since then, but I think this is still a book of value to read. It does not treat autism as pure deficit and often makes reference to 'autistic delight,' which I appreciated.
It is, however, a very clear look into the world of autism — as seen specifically by Clara when it comes to Jessy, in the late 90s (this is a 2001 book). We have come quite far when it comes to understanding and knowledge of autism since then, but I think this is still a book of value to read. It does not treat autism as pure deficit and often makes reference to 'autistic delight,' which I appreciated.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism