Adversity

Wonderful. More like stories from her memory, than a formal autobiography, but as she says in the intro., I have tried to write faithfully of my life as it seemed to me." And isn't that the point of memoirs anyway? When I read a biography I want to learn what shaped the person. And what shaped her is what she perceived - not what an 'objectively accurate' tape-recording of her childhood would expose.

Entertaining and inspirational, accessible to children and illuminating for adults.

A pervading theme is especially interesting to me. Jean was very much loved as a child. Her family, especially her mother, was always available to console & encourage & praise. They did 'push' somewhat, and they were not over-protective or smothering, but Jean never faced any real adversity. I suspect that unconditional support at home made her even more sensitive to the cruelties of children and the insensitivity of some teachers outside the home. One could argue that it seemed as if she wasn't being prepared for the hard knocks of the real world. But as it turned out she grew out of her shelter just fine. She may not have been the first nestling to fly, but she did soar eventually. So, to those who say that you can love a child too much, I say 'pooh.'

I own the sequel and look forward to it, but not yet." ( )