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Rating: 
- gripping but flawed
I too am the parent of a child with DS so was very excited about reading this book. Like other reviewers I found it gripping and have nothing but admiration for Alex - what a woman! I'm looking forward to the TV documentary.
On the other hand, I found the language used in the book very grating - the author had obviously never heard of 'people first' language, occasionally individuals with DS are described as 'a Down's' (this might admittedly be when other people are quoted) and children with Down's syndrome are always referred to as 'Down's child' - it's a bit of a missed opportunity really which is a shame.
The other thing that didn't sit right for me was the great emphasis the author placed on the fact that some parents are unable to deal with the shock that often comes when your newborn turns out to have DS, but then never mentioning that the absolutely vast majority of parents, most of them completely ordinary run-of-the-mill individuals with no heroic qualities, quite quickly pick themselves off the ground and get on with the business of loving and parenting their baby. In some ways it made the birth of a child with DS sound like a complete and utter catastrophe... not something that fits in with my experience or that of other parents of children with DS that I know.
All in all, I can't really work out what I make of this book - the best way to sum it up in my opinion is that it's a not very well written book about an amazing family.
Rating:
- Will Have To Read Again
A touching story, but more than that. This book is emotional and although the endings and the beginnings are not always happy, it is a fairy tale because this is the story of Alex Bell who is waving a magic wand against all odds. I am new to this subject matter, there must be many other Alex Bells in the world, it's just that we don't know about them. It's an incredible story about a woman who was born to do what she does, someone who found her calling in life. I was left with a feeling of how inadequate my own life is, but this story leaves one with a feeling that anything is possible, "where there's a will there's a way" it's just remembering this and the story of Alex Bell prompts. The children in this book are so wonderfully loved, as all children should be. A childhood is precious and the children in this book are blessed with a love so powerful and moving. This is definitely a book I will have to read again.
Rating: - A moving reading experience
This is a memorable book which I am glad I read for three reasons.
First, I expected it to fall into line with other books about children in difficulties. In a sense it does (the children certainly have difficulties), but it altogether avoids cliche or easy expectations. Each child of those Alex Bell has taken into her family has their own distinct personality, and each story is very different. There is a variety to the stories that urges one on.
Second, although the book moved me to tears at a number of points, it is not a 'misery' read. It is a hugely positive story about what love - in Alex's case, hard-nosed love - can achieve.
Finally, the book is very well written. i find it hard to agree with the reviewer who found the author's take on the children unsympathetic. Good writing tells the truth. A MOTHER LIKE ALEX does so with humour, sensitivity, and courageous involvement.
Rating: - Beautiful People
As a parent of a Down's syndrome child I enjoyed this book. It's not easy, but worthwhile in life is not always easy. This book was a joy to read, and is support group by my bedside I can dip in to anytime. For those of us dealing with the problems and the huge rewards the issue is not a sensitive one, it's everyday life and we get on with it. Clark's narrative was to the point and necessary and in places very very beautiful as are the people he introduces us to. Well done this is a gorgeous book, light given to the dark. The story of Alex Bell needed to be told.
Rating: - A Great Read
I read this book because it was lying around and my mother had finished reading it. I now understand why my mother was so difficult to get hold of whilst she was reading this, it's a great read. I read it so quickly I just wanted to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. I now feel a great sense of loss having finished it. We have a couple of Down's syndrome kids at school, they're nice people. This is one of the most descriptive books I have ever read, far more visual than any of our English course work slogs. I think it's a great shame portraits are included, they aren't necessary, I could pictures the main characters perfectly without them. A brilliant book I loved it.
- gripping but flawedI too am the parent of a child with DS so was very excited about reading this book. Like other reviewers I found it gripping and have nothing but admiration for Alex - what a woman! I'm looking forward to the TV documentary.
On the other hand, I found the language used in the book very grating - the author had obviously never heard of 'people first' language, occasionally individuals with DS are described as 'a Down's' (this might admittedly be when other people are quoted) and children with Down's syndrome are always referred to as 'Down's child' - it's a bit of a missed opportunity really which is a shame.
The other thing that didn't sit right for me was the great emphasis the author placed on the fact that some parents are unable to deal with the shock that often comes when your newborn turns out to have DS, but then never mentioning that the absolutely vast majority of parents, most of them completely ordinary run-of-the-mill individuals with no heroic qualities, quite quickly pick themselves off the ground and get on with the business of loving and parenting their baby. In some ways it made the birth of a child with DS sound like a complete and utter catastrophe... not something that fits in with my experience or that of other parents of children with DS that I know.
All in all, I can't really work out what I make of this book - the best way to sum it up in my opinion is that it's a not very well written book about an amazing family.
Rating:
- Will Have To Read Again A touching story, but more than that. This book is emotional and although the endings and the beginnings are not always happy, it is a fairy tale because this is the story of Alex Bell who is waving a magic wand against all odds. I am new to this subject matter, there must be many other Alex Bells in the world, it's just that we don't know about them. It's an incredible story about a woman who was born to do what she does, someone who found her calling in life. I was left with a feeling of how inadequate my own life is, but this story leaves one with a feeling that anything is possible, "where there's a will there's a way" it's just remembering this and the story of Alex Bell prompts. The children in this book are so wonderfully loved, as all children should be. A childhood is precious and the children in this book are blessed with a love so powerful and moving. This is definitely a book I will have to read again.
Rating:
- A moving reading experienceThis is a memorable book which I am glad I read for three reasons.
First, I expected it to fall into line with other books about children in difficulties. In a sense it does (the children certainly have difficulties), but it altogether avoids cliche or easy expectations. Each child of those Alex Bell has taken into her family has their own distinct personality, and each story is very different. There is a variety to the stories that urges one on.
Second, although the book moved me to tears at a number of points, it is not a 'misery' read. It is a hugely positive story about what love - in Alex's case, hard-nosed love - can achieve.
Finally, the book is very well written. i find it hard to agree with the reviewer who found the author's take on the children unsympathetic. Good writing tells the truth. A MOTHER LIKE ALEX does so with humour, sensitivity, and courageous involvement.
Rating:
- Beautiful PeopleAs a parent of a Down's syndrome child I enjoyed this book. It's not easy, but worthwhile in life is not always easy. This book was a joy to read, and is support group by my bedside I can dip in to anytime. For those of us dealing with the problems and the huge rewards the issue is not a sensitive one, it's everyday life and we get on with it. Clark's narrative was to the point and necessary and in places very very beautiful as are the people he introduces us to. Well done this is a gorgeous book, light given to the dark. The story of Alex Bell needed to be told.
Rating:
- A Great ReadI read this book because it was lying around and my mother had finished reading it. I now understand why my mother was so difficult to get hold of whilst she was reading this, it's a great read. I read it so quickly I just wanted to keep turning the pages to see what would happen next. I now feel a great sense of loss having finished it. We have a couple of Down's syndrome kids at school, they're nice people. This is one of the most descriptive books I have ever read, far more visual than any of our English course work slogs. I think it's a great shame portraits are included, they aren't necessary, I could pictures the main characters perfectly without them. A brilliant book I loved it.
