bookrblog

My Stroke of Insight

Saturday, February 28th, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

This small book by Dr Jill Taylor is quite interesting. It documents Dr Taylor’s stroke and recovery from a unique perspective; Dr Taylor is a neuroscientist. She focuses on the importance of both the left and right sides of the brain and how they work together. She also lists important ideas which helped her recover, including reducing over-stimulation, increasing sleep and being forced to learn again. It’s a testament to the plasticity of the brain and Dr Taylor’s tenacity. I must say she sounds a bit sad and lonely (in fact, she sounds a little like she has asperger syndrome) but that’s partly because it’s a very dry and factual book - it would have been far better handed over to a good writer. All in all an interesting if dry read.

Someone Else’s Kid/Twilight Children

Saturday, February 28th, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

It’s hard to put a finger on why Torey Hayden’s books make me feel so uncomfortable. She’s a special educator who worked in the American school system in the 70’s/80’s, mostly with children classed as “emotionally disturbed” (ie with mental health issues). She describes the children she works with and their families, as well as the system.

Part of my discomfort is Hayden’s extreme pity for the children. She focuses on how sad and damaged they are; how the system or their families have neglected them; and how her love and care makes such a difference in their lives. Unfortunately she doesn’t seem to use much in the way of best educational practice. She yells at a child diagnosed as “selectively mute” to make him talk; uses no AACs with a child with autism; and uses memorisation “what’s this, what’s that” to teach a child to read. She also says that once a brain is damaged, that’s it - which is completely wrong.

It’s interesting when you google her to find how many people think of her as a wonderful inspiration to teachers - I do think that’s alarming. Yes, human compassion and caring is vital in teaching. You do need to know each child as an individual. However, drawing on actual educational strategies is also pretty important. When a visiting official asks her “what’s your educational theory? What’s your goal?” she’s at a loss to answer.

I personally loved the movie “Miracle Worker” about Helen Keller’s teacher, and think that she was fantastic. I keep feeling as though Torey Hayden’s books are an attempt to make herself out as a miracle worker, fuelled by love, saving all these poor little kiddies. It does a great diservice to people with disabilities (who don’t need “saving”) and educators (who aren’t just hugging kids all day, but are using educational principles effectively). I must say that the moral of the story I gained was to never ever enrol your child in the American school system - but as I don’t have kids and I’m not American, that’s easy enough! A rather worrying read.

Truth and Beauty

Sunday, February 22nd, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

I couldn’t put down this book by Ann Patchett. It’s a memoir about a friend of hers, also a writer, who suffered all her life from the effects of a severe childhood cancer which damaged her jaw and left her face disfigured - not just cosmetically, but leaving her unable to chew, swallow or kiss properly. The two friends struggle to become writers - and succeed - and then struggle to live, both realising that once their dream was reached, they still had to search for happiness. 

The character of Lucy is so engaging - and frustrating - and altogether sad, that you can’t help anticipating the ending. It’s a great tribute to a unique person, and a wonderful read.

A Single Seed

Friday, February 20th, 2009 | Australian Literature | No Comments

Resurrection in a Bucket

Thursday, February 12th, 2009 | Australian Literature | No Comments

I really enjoyed the earlier book by Margaret Simons about her garden up at Bell, near where I live. This book goes into depth about compost, its history - and it has a very specific history, linked to the Brits in India and Rudolf Steiner - how to make it and what to do with it. You find out a little more about Simon’s life, too. I enjoyed this even though I haven’t found anyone else particularly interested in compost!

Labour of Love

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

If it had been written by a writer, it would have been brilliant, but it is very simply and plainly told - it’s a slim book, too - and there are very few human stories, and in a book by a midwife, there’s barely a birth. If only she’d given over her subject matter to a good writer! As it is, it’s really interesting, but it’s hard to be sympathetic to the rather brusque Cara. She’s hardly a hippie, but she is more than a bit new age, and while she’s probably a great midwife, she’s a rather strange person. All in all - it could have been a lot better.

Twilight Children

Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 | American Literature | No Comments

Torey Hayden is an ex Special Ed teacher who writes books about the children she’s worked with, all of whom seem to have suffered quite a bit of sexual abuse, which is recounted in a fair bit of detail. This makes this memoir very difficult to get through, because it’s so very sad. It’s an interesting look at the US health system - she’s working as a psychologist in a hospital, in this book - and a very tragic look at the outcome of abuse on individuals.

The Birth House

Monday, February 9th, 2009 | Canadian Literature | No Comments

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Sunday, February 8th, 2009 | Scandanavian | No Comments

This thriller by Stieg Larsson is pretty shocking, involving lots and lots of female abuse - torture, rape, murder, the works. Each chapter is preceded by a statistic about the rate of abuse in Sweden. As I write this I’m listening to the soundtrack from “As it is in Heaven”, also about wife beating. Is it the Viking heritage or just typical across all societies?

The Girl in the title is an empowered woman who gets back at any abusers and manages to unearth another few. She’s not only tough and smart but the hero decides she has Asperger syndrome too. Dunno about that, but she’s certainly interesting. The novel flies past, but it’s hard to say it’s highly readable due to the really extreme horrific details in it - I don’t think I’ll manage the two sequels.

The Bell at Sealy Head

Saturday, February 7th, 2009 | Sci-Fi/Fantasy | No Comments

I quite enjoyed this new novel by Patricia McKillip. It’s a story set say in the 19^th century, about a small village by the sea. There’s a legend about a bell they can hear from the sea - some believe from an old shipwreck. Actually, the local manor is under a curse, and some are there to break it, while others want to keep it going.

It’s a story-within-a-story, a romance, and most of all a fairytale. I really like McKillip’s lyrical style, and her pleasant, ordinary, book-loving characters. An enjoyable if not deep read.