Far from the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity
Summary:
Every parent faces a dilemma: to what extent should they accept their children as they are, and to what extent should they encourage them to achieve the best they are capable of. The book shares the stories of families whose children turned out to be radically different – with various disabilities, Down syndrome, autism, with severe mental disorders; child geniuses and child criminals. Although each of these characteristics has the potential to condemn to isolation, it is the experience of difference that leads to true closeness and solidarity. You will read the stories of parents who have not only learned how to cope with their exceptional children, but also found deep meaning in it. Love turns out to be a great force, capable of overcoming unheard-of challenges and triumph any prejudices.
Edited by: Regional Public Library "Petko Rachev Slaveikov" (Bulgaria)
Comment:
“Far from the Tree” is a chronicle of the improbable happiness that inhabits the space between horror and beauty. This happiness is not a gift, but a daily achievement of those directly affected. The book will expand the scope of our compassion and show us true humanity.
Parenting, says Andrew Solomon, is not a job for perfectionists. And he is right. You will learn this in “Far from the Tree”, where he told many stories of parents who faced raising different children.
His book is a one-way ticket to the station “Humanity”, where the little people, the autistic, the transgender and all those who usually make us close our eyes and say to ourselves “let it not happen to me” are waiting for us. They have already happened to us. Our task is to reach out to them.
The book inspires many.