Author: Katie Kolberg Memmel
Enjoyment Rating: ***
Source: Kindle for iPad
This book would be rated: G
Most of the time, it's hard for me as a reader to separate the writer's craft with the story itself. I think this is because I read a lot of fiction, and the manner of telling the story is often integral to that story. However, Five Fingers Ten Toes is an example of a book where the information presented is fascinating (to me, as the parent of a child with limb differences) but the craft of Memmel's storytelling detracted from the story itself.
I have to give Katie Memmel a lot of props for writing the story of raising her son Tony, who was born without a left forearm and hand. Tony, now a musician and an accomplished guitarist, has certainly lived a remarkable life, and his mother's experiences undoubtedly helped shape that life. But this is a book written by a mom with a story, not by a writer. For example, she starts the book with an extended discussion of why she decided not to attend college, which is something that doesn't seem to have much relevance to the rest of the story. She goes on to talk at length about family vacations, etc... These details, while possibly interesting to someone who knows the family, was not interesting to an average reader. That said, there is such a dearth of stories written by parents of kids with limb differences that I do feel that reading about Memmel's experience was useful. She talked a lot about the community of parents of children with birth defects, and she's definitely contributing to that community in a meaningful way. But reading this book also gave me some indication that I might be able to do something similar and to do it well.
5 comments:
I found the book to be a wonderful inspiration for parents of children born with any sort of difference. Memmel's story is very honest. There was nothing I didn't find interesting. Memmel's writing style is smooth and flowing. I have to disagree that this was written by a mom, not a writer. She is a mom who definitely knows how to write and has a beautiful story to tell.
I thought the book was incredibly honest. Memmel admitted to some things that I would have trouble admitting to, as a parent. This is Memmel's first book. I suspect her next book may be more polished. For a story like this, I was satisfied with more heart and less polish. If you write your own story, it will be something to add to the dearth of information about families who have children with limb differences. Go for it!
Not everyone has to have a PHD in English to get their point across. I have read many things by accomplished writers that, in one word, "stink." Sometimes it's not so much about how well written a book is as how well read it is. In this case, I think the author's story read well. She was not authoring "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", but instead a heartfelt history of a hers and her child born with a difference. And while she may not be a Dylan Thomas, she sure isn't a Vanessa Diffenbaugh, thank god!
Not everyone has to have a PHD in English to get their point across. I have read many things by accomplished writers that, in one word, "stink." Sometimes it's not so much about how well written a book is as how well read it is. In this case, I think the author's story read well. She was not authoring "Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man", but instead a heartfelt history of a hers and her child born with a difference. And while she may not be a Dylan Thomas, she sure isn't a Vanessa Diffenbaugh, thank god!
Oh my goodness - when Google alerted me today that there was a conversation going on about me, I had no idea the feelings I'd experience by reading. But, as an author, when we put ourselves out there for the world to see, sometimes people talk about us, don't they?
First of all, Thank you, Shelah. It was very nice of you to take the time to read my book, "Five Fingers, Ten Toes - A Mother's Story of Raising a Child Born with a Limb Difference." Writing the book was a labor of my deepest love for my son and for my whole family... As you said, it is truly a "Mother's Story." It was also written as a labor of deep caring for all of the young parents who have gone through some of the feelings that I did once-upon-a-time. Now that the internet exists, communicating is so much easier than it was back then. Praise God that it now exists and that so many can be helped by the click of a button!
I'd love to answer the two questions you have, if that's okay... I mention very early in the book that I never went to college because I felt that a reader may like to know who is talking to them. I never left home until I married my husband, the two of us worked hard, and at a fairly young age (24) I birthed my first child, who happened to be missing his left forearm and hand. Remember in the book that I admit to not even knowing what the word "Prosthesis" meant? I felt that those details were important to speak to sort of an "innocence" of that year, of that day. I wish now that point had been made more clear for you, since it was very important to me.
Also, the references to family vacations both had a similar purpose. I wanted families to know that we owned a boat, and that boating was workable for a child or person with a limb difference. And the reference to the Mexican trip was in the chapter that spoke all about a dark time Tony was having (age 15), the trip to Mexico, the activities and the people we met, spoke volumes to shaking him from that temporary dark reverie. Again, points that I wish you'd been able to connect. But I do find that sometimes it's good to have someone totally unrelated review our book - much like you did for me. It will make me look deep inside myself, and make sure my points are crystal clear.
I'm so glad I was able to see this today, and want to again thank you for your time. As the mom of a child with a limb difference yourself, I'd love to invite you to check out the Lucky Fin Project, if you haven't already, and the brand new music video that Tony and his wife, Lesleigh, just shot and recorded for them. Your kids will probably really enjoy it. Here's the link to "The Lucky Fin Song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3Q8pRO_4MI
Thank you, take care, and I wish you well!
Katie Kolberg Memmel
Author, Five Fingers, Ten Toes..."
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