With Love from Karen [Library Binding]

Marie Killilea (Author)

Product Details

• Library Binding: 384 pages
• Publisher: Lightyear Pr (December 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568490992
• ISBN-13: 978-1568490991
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,718,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great beauty - but left me with many questions, October 20, 2000

By 

Elizabeth G. Melillo "gloriana" - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Love from Karen (Library Binding)

This sequel, undoubtedly greeted with joy by all of us who loved "Karen," in one sense surpasses the first work. Karen, delightful and positive though she is, is depicted far more realistically than in the initial book, which tended to make her a bit of a picture book saint. Her struggles, decisions, and (in all honesty) unquestionable confusion with the expectations of her wonderful family are quite vividly portrayed. (As an example of the last - one wonders why Marie does not realise that much of Karen's dilemma over "walking vs wheelchair" undoubtedly stems from Marie's constant insistence on Karen's walking - she fought the idea of Karen's having a wheelchair at all earlier in the book.)

The Killilea family clearly had an unusual and blessed balance - tough-minded, persistent, deeply religious, but hospitable and joyous to the point where their home seemed a favourite stopping place for all whom they knew. Yet many new questions remained unanswered. "Karen," though it did not include many extended family members at length, mentioned a large family - in "With Love from Karen," even the most special occasions include many "honorary" family members but no blood relatives. One wonders if the opposition and "advice" which Jimmy and Marie received when they sought treatment for Karen had alienated them from their larger family circle. Reading of Karen's dislocation, which "could have been prevented if certain medical procedures had been followed" in her childhood, I wondered if this had bearing on why Dr. B, the first book's near-saviour, had mysteriously disappeared from mention.

The determination and cheerfulness of the Killilea's is all the more amazing, even inspiring, with "reading between the lines." Brief references often speak a volume. This was a family where there always seemed to be someone in hospital or otherwise seriously ill - and it is only in a short mention, related to Marie's medical history's being taken during her pregnancy with Kristin, that we realise that Kristin is only the fourth child to survive, despite twelve pregnancies.

Gloria is the heroine of this volume - one wonders if Marie's depiction of her is a bit too perfect, but her incredible faith and convictions are astonishing. I regretted, however, that Gloria so stole the book's limelight in later chapters that "Little" Marie is notable in this book only for having contracted tuberculosis and rheumatic fever. Every event of Gloria's life is richly detailed, where references to (young) Marie's wedding are brief, and, when her first son is born, there is only one sentence to the effect that blessings came in pairs - we do not even learn his name.

This family must have been quite delightful, though I do wonder how one who worked for NY Telephone had such a large number of acquaintances from the worlds of the literary, theatrical, etc.. They must have had quite a scope! The emphasis on the friendship with Larchmont neighbours, particularly the Kerrs, is wonderful.

Karen and family have always deeply impressed me, and I do regret that no full-scale biography, including later years, is available. I should also love to know more about them from the perspective of those who knew them at the time. I love both of Marie's books, but always wondered if they are just slightly biased with the need to be inspirational. (The true faith this family had certainly comes through, but I wonder if details that are unpleasant were sometimes omitted.)

(Footnote for readers with this question: Jimmy and Marie did not divorce. Both died in the early 1990s.)

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Info on the Killilea Family, March 8, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: With Love from Karen (Library Binding)

If you are interested in information about what happened to Karen and her family over the years, a Yahoo group, Killilea_fans, has done a lot of research which you can find on Yahoo. You need to go to http://groups.yahoo.com/, then search for the group killilea_fans. You will need to sign up on Yahoo if you haven't already. Anyone can join the group.

Be sure and check out the Killilea_fans Description page, as it has a link to "Pertinent Postings" (the most important posts with family info) and a "Timeline" of the Killilea Family. The group has also posted a number of photos of the family as well as newspaper articles.

Marie and Jimmy did not divorce, however, "Little" Marie and her husband Ron Smiley did. On a very sad note, on 7/31/68, Gloria and Russ's two daughters, Mary De Lourdes and Evely Ann, as well as "Little" Marie's daughter, Michelle Smiley, died in a fire in the Lea's house. Gloria and her two sons escaped. Marie Killilea died on 10/23/91, Jimmy died on 7/25/94. Gloria died on 11/28/01 and Russ died on 2/15/02.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Further Adventures of the Killilea Family, November 5, 2006

By 

P. Supko "Books and Music" (Arnold, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: With Love from Karen (Library Binding)

"With Love From Karen" continues the true story of a girl, born in 1940 with cerebral palsy, and her family. This follow-up to the 1952 book "Karen" picks up five years after the end of the first book. Karen is now 12; the family has found a suitable house for their unique needs; and Gloria has officially joined the Killilea clan.

As with "Karen," I have read "With Love From Karen" many times since my teen years. Although I enjoy reading it as a continuation of Karen's story, I have never found it as compelling as the first book. Perhaps it is because the breakthroughs are different, or perhaps the writing is simply not as strong.

For those whose interest was piqued by the first book, I heartily recommend reading the rest of the story. If you have not been introduced to the Killilea's by reading "Karen," then you should start there.

The tone of this book is matter-of-fact tending toward upbeat. There are many anecdotes and stories that illustrate the Killilea family's interesting life. Some will make you laugh, others will make you roll your eyes; many will make you think.

A few important things to consider: The Killilea's were devoutly Catholic, and their attitudes and decisions reflect this as well as the era (1950's). The book was written long enough ago that the language and situations, particularly with regard to matters of educating the handicapped, may seem outdated and "wrong." Welcome to the world before the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act!

Readers should also note that the "C.P. work" in the book refers to Marie Killilea's work with United Cerebral Palsy, which she helped to found. She remained active with the organization for many years; read the book to learn more.

I am glad that I own this book, as well as the original "Karen." I am glad to have it on my bookshelf, where I can periodically pull it down, read it, and be reminded how lucky I am to be healthy and have a healthy family, as well as of how much (and how little) people have changed in the last 40 years.