Comments (17)

Far From the Tree

Parents, Children and the Search for Identity
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Apr 01, 2022728_emily rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
This book was thought-provoking, engaging, and informative. I learned a lot and loved the intimacy of all the stories of real families. Yes, the book is long, but it's very accessible and absolutely worth the read.
Dec 22, 2020
This is a remarkable book that anyone interested in what makes us human/what makes lives worth living ought to read, with special interest for educators, parents, soon-to-be parents, etc. This is non-scholarly, easy to read book…
Aug 22, 2019
A very long well-written book; chapters could stand on their own as essays. As I was advised elsewhere, read the first chapter, then choose one or two that call to you, then either read the final chapter or set the book aside for reading…
LoganLib_JennyI
Feb 06, 2019LoganLib_JennyI rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
An emotional book on every level whether you are a parent-to-be, parent, teacher or grandparent. Through interviews with family members backed by extensive, scientific research, Solomon paints a compassionate and brutally honest picture of…
Oct 15, 2018lukasevansherman rated this title 3.5 out of 5 stars
Massive, heavily researched, and provocative book about childhood by writer/professor Andrew Solomon. He divides his chapters by subject, focusing on children who are "different," although Solomon questions normative categories, including…
Oct 17, 2017SCL_Justin rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
When people have kids there are aspects of continuity from generation to generation, and Solomon refers to these as vertical identities. What this book is about though, is horizontal identities, where a child is very different from the…
Aug 09, 2017ArapahoeAnnaL rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
Written with wisdom and compassion. For those whose children struggle with issues different from their parents - you are not alone.
Jul 12, 2017
As a teacher, I strongly suggest that every educator read this book.
Jul 12, 2014stewstealth rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
The prose in the book is excellent. The interviews with parents and children are emotionally gripping.This is a book that everyone should read as it relates to identity, something everyone strives to achieve. Although the author does…
Jan 09, 2014fandesoleil rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
This book is very long, but Solomon's prose is gripping, and he has done extensive research and interviewing. He is a big thinker who strives for fairness. I learned something on every page. Highly recommended.
Jan 01, 2014
Andrew Solomon is the most popular guest Steve Paikin's The Agenda has ever had; the most viewers. He is a delight and obviously extremely intelligent. I am waiting for The Agenda to have him again as a guest. You can probably play…
tlctlc
Nov 01, 2013
Jill Shumaker suggested I read this book
Aug 12, 2013tompko rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
If you, or someone you care about, has an individual in the family who does not fit the "family mold". (e.g. gay, autistic, etc.) please read this book and pass it on. It is alos a "must read" for professionals who work with/for familes of…
Apr 12, 2013ALLAN JOHN FLETCHER rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
It's extremely rare for me to give a book (or anything else, for that matter) a five star rating. Nothing is perfect, after all. However, Far from the Tree treats such an important topic (the necessity of, not just acknowledging and…
ksoles
Mar 01, 2013ksoles rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
Monumental? Yes. Intimidating? Definitely. Worthwhile? Absolutely. Andrew Solomon's "Far From The Tree" represents the culmination of a decade's worth of research and writing. The author interviewed hundreds of families for his book and,…
Jan 17, 2013GummiGirl rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
A very comprehensive, and moving, account of what it's like to be a parent to various types of exceptional children. Full of personal stories as well as the medical and moral issues associated with various conditions.
Nov 16, 2012delfon rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
An extremely well advanced tome with lots of information of various aspects of diverse experiences of parents who have or are going through children with: deafness, dwarfism, dwon syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, multiple severe…