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Most Helpful Reviews
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Liked It “Am rereading it. Read it 10 years ago and want to remember why I loved the book so much. |
Didn’t Like It “And so it began, and continued. And it continued. Another character introduced; a move; a birth; a death; I kept waiting for the overarching story line to reveal itself. But it did not. |
Newest Reviews
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“Am rereading it. Read it 10 years ago and want to remember why I loved the book so much.
Brenda G wrote this review Saturday, April 7, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Ah - still love it!”
“I was amazed at how this book captured me. This story of a southern family with six children- their mother Jewel. I love the way this author writes. He slowly adds pieces to the present, weaving it with the past and revealing how our past experiences deeply influence how we live in the present- how we handle the challenges that life gives us. Thoroughly enjoyed it- a very enjoyable read.”
Rachel wrote this review Monday, January 2, 2012. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“And so it began, and continued. And it continued. Another character introduced; a move; a birth; a death; I kept waiting for the overarching story line to reveal itself. But it did not.
Marie wrote this review Sunday, November 27, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
Sort of reminded me of the Leatherstocking Tales in this regard. Or "Forrest Gump."”
“4 STARS A mother devotes her life to her daughter with down-syndrome.”
Kris wrote this review Tuesday, November 15, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“A rating”
McKiki wrote this review Thursday, September 8, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Mother daughter relationship in Mississippi ”
Christine B wrote this review Saturday, July 23, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“It's okay. It was a slow read, not very exciting, however, I found I could relate to the main character and enjoyed watching her grow through her struggle of raising a special needs child. The ending was very moving!”
Christie S. Schnabel wrote this review Tuesday, July 19, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed this book but was not as good as I was hoping. Very well written. Good story but found it dragged on a bit.”
HEATHER L wrote this review Tuesday, July 5, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“one woman's determination to help her child (down syndrom)
Robyn H wrote this review Monday, May 9, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
marriage relationship”
“I stayed up a little later than usual to finish reading Jewel last night. Not that the ending was so riveting but I was just so close to it, I wanted to finish. There were two important plot lines running here. The main story told of Jewels sixth and final child being born into a family that welcomed her despite the tough times in 1940's Mississippi. Jewel herself, having been orphaned at age eleven, lived for her family.
jimtown wrote this review Thursday, March 24, 2011. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The second, pretty sensitive stuff for a book review, I'll call word usage. So that is the theme that ran under the story of Brenda Kay and Jewel. Interesting enough, Jewel would not have her baby daughter called Mongolian Idiot and would not allow that word spoken in her presence.
Yes, Brenda Kay, Jewel's final baby had Down's Syndrome. It was predicted by her long time friend Cathedral that this baby would be her trial in life. Instead, Jewel devoted the rest of her life to Brenda Kay, everyone else in the family taking a back seat. They all seemed to understand though and even when Jewel decided she needed to move the family to California so Brenda Kay could get the help she needed in a special school, her husband finally gave in and went.
A story of slow sacrifice, devotion, enlightenment and neglect, it showed at the very end, the pride and satisfaction of a 'special needs child' is in the simple joy of daily routine and small achievements. I still don't know if any of the terms I use are correct.
”
