Reviews for Loving Rachel: A Family's Journey from Grief

The average rating for Loving Rachel: A Family's Journey from Grief based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2008-01-19 00:00:00 Peter Carr This is the third time I have written this review, it seems almost impossible without sounding whiny, or preachy or truly pathetic. Quite possibly this author is better at describing what I frequently feel like more than I am. That said, I don't think either of us feel sorry for ourselves, but dang...it's hard to understand how having a special needs child affects you personally without struggling with how other people perceive you, pity you, avoid you... She hits on all the fears and documented realities of families like mine. How 80% of the marriages end in divorce, how family members and friends don't mean to but they tend to avoid you, how very good people struggle with trying to understand why even simple things seem to be so damn hard for you. Even with this, we are the fortunate ones and know it. Read this if you have a friend, co-worker, family member or acquaintance with a special needs child. Read this if you work with families who do. Read this on a day when your child's temper tantrum drives you nuts and realize again how fortunate your life is. Thanks in advance.

Review # 2 was written on 2010-09-04 00:00:00 Jeffrey Petersen Jane Bernstein was a professor/mentor of mine, and I still consider her a friend. In nearly 8 years of knowing her, I don't think I've ever had more respect for her than I did while reading this book. First of all, the writing is impeccable. Second, her honesty, about even the ugliest of feelings or thoughts, blew me away. And finally, what she endured, and how, astounded me. I can't quite explain the complex feelings that this book evoked in me. Hope, disappointment, joy, frustration, fear, gratitude, understanding... All I can say is that I never felt pity, and I never felt like Jane wanted me (the reader) to. The "sequel," RACHEL IN THE WORLD, is en route to me right now. I'd also love to see RACHEL IS, a documentary by Charlotte Glynn, Jane's other daughter and Rachel's older sister. Unfortunately I'm not sure how to go about doing that, since it had limited screenings a few years ago... The website is www.jacktarfilms.com/rachelis.html for anyone who is interested in seeing the trailer.