Customer Reviews

Beautiful Retard

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While the premise of this book is absolutely wonderful, I have to say that I was highly disappointed. Hansen does an admirable job presenting the real life hardships of the mentally challenged and those who love and work with them, but the book seemed stilted and almost "too" autobiographical at times. By expanding his personal experiences, what seems only a limited degree, the author has flattened the characters and taken some of the interest out of his story. There was little emotion in the dialogue and character struggles, and even the heart-wrenching climax seemed distant and contrived. It was a good effort and an important story, but just not what I had hoped.

Hello. My son is disabled so naturally I wanted to give this book a go. At first I was not sure what to expect with this title but I quickly realized that it explored the difficulties of kids growing up who are disabled and called names like "Retard."

It was a very heart-touching read, and I thoroughly reccomend it to anyone. I wish the book was a bit longer, and was sad to put it down. But it was well-written and vey informative.

It is also very good to read about Disabled kids.

I read this book becauze I have a profound interest in Mentally Retarded Children. The book was ok, but it was too short
and I didn't think that the ending was appropiate ( I won't say it is a surpise)
and I feel that the title was innappropiate.

I really like it. I was educational about disabled kids, but also had a very good story.
I have never read this author before but it was not too long but had a good plot, great beginning and end. I think lots of people need to read books like this.

I read the book in an afternoon, but I enjoyed it. About a teenage boy who is disabled. I think people should read it. Or at least learn more about disabled children because there are many ignorant people out there.

This is the first book by Hansen; I know because we read it as part of our book club. That being said I was impressed that this young author touched upon some very important issues. Although I read one review by Andi Miller saying it was amateurish, I wouldn't go that far. It was certainly done by a new author, but very well written nonetheless. It was a tad short, sure, but I loved the beginning and the way all the characters were woven.

The story is about a disabled boy and his problems in a highschool with all the so-called "normal" kids. I won't spoil the ending but it is very very exciting and heart-wrenching. I encourage all people with an interest in disabled kids to read it. I look forward to reading more of Hansen's stuff. I don't think this story is personalized at all -- it is a short read but reads really well and I loved it.

I just read the book and I thought it was a nice story.

The beginnning was very captivating, and I thought the end was really great. Very satisfying.

Ok, here we go. Like the book, slow at start but then it picked up and really went to town. Didn't know much about Disabled kids, but the book was fairly educative.

Liked the main character, Joan. Had spunk. Most women in books don't have spunk anymore, so it was a pleasure to read a man who could write from a female perspective. Ending was fantastic, I laughed, I cried.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

Although I have not had direct experiences with Disabled children, I an relate to the boy in teh story. Any parent can empathize with the protagonists, and the administration. It was a short read, and to be hoenst I had never heard of this author before. I did a search and found some more of his work and am curious to see what type of areas he deals with. This piece however was good. I wish it were longer, and as well if it were the final climax would have been even more provocative. But, not to complain, this was a good book. I'd suggest it to anyone.