Customer Reviews

With Love from Karen

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
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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.)

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.

"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.

If you go to Yahoo and set up an account, you can join their groups, one of them being a group interested in the Killilea family. There are pictures of the entire family, plus house, dogs, friends, etc. There are also a lot of updates on what happened to all the family members (except Rory) since the books ended. One of the members even crashed Russell Lea's funeral to get a glimpse of Karen.

I was given these books as gifts when I was 16 (24 years ago)because I also have Cerebral Palsy. My mother read them when I was first diagnosed (18 months old) and thought they would be helpful to me. Not only were they helpful, they were inspiring! I am only mildly afflicted with CP and I haven't been through 1/4 of what Karen went through. I read these books yearly and have several copies of the paperbacks as well as a hardcover copy of both. They used to be a reading requirement in high schools - its too bad they are no longer. Highly recommended to anyone who loves to read.

"Karen" and "With Love From Karen" have been a part of my life since junior high (and I have kids older than that now). These books have probably educated more hearts than anyone will ever know. My own copies are without covers and tattered, but I wouldn't part with them for anything.

I just can't buy the divorce story--it has to be a mistake.

These books are needed by this generation, "With Love From Karen" needs to be available again in print.

Like everyone else, I really would like to know what happened to all the family.

I thought this book was a wonderful book. It showed a family that struggled through hard times but pulled together. They could always count on each other for love and support. It was great to read about how they drew upon their faith to get them through the hard times. It was inspiring to read about Karen's triumph over her handicap. I would like to find out what happened to the family. I have read through these reviews that Marie and Jimmy were divorced and that Marie probably died from lung cancer in the 1980's. If anyone has further information or knows where to look, please e-mail me.

Marie Killilea (1913-1991) wrote WITH LOVE FROM KAREN (a sequel to her first book, KAREN) about her daughter, born with cerebral palsy at a time when little was known about the condition and when many were puzzled over or even afraid of persons with disabilities. The Killilea family's endeavors to ensure Karen a healthy, productive life are great reading, even almost a half-century later. This book relates the adventures of Karen and her lively family from approximately age twelve through her entrance into adulthood. Keep Kleenex handy, because you're going to weep for sympathy and then you're going to howl with laughter. Mrs. Killilea writes with resolute faith, tenderness, and great humor. Although developments in treating disabilities (and people with disabilities) have greatly changed, you'll love the courage and warmth of this book and you may wish that children who happen to be born with disabilities could all have families like the Killileas.

I have bought Karen and With Love from Karen books when I was in high school in 1984. I have always wondered where Karen is (if she's still living) and how she is doing. Guess what? I still have her name on my calendar as she will be 62 years old this year (2002) on August 18th, in case, you are curious.

"Karen" and "With Love from Karen" are without a doubt two of the most inspiring books I have ever read. Marie Killilea writes with such heart and conviction about her family's experiences and personalities that the reader feels an instant kinship. Perhaps that is why it is so frustrating that so little has been written about the family's later years.

As an update, I recently learned that Gloria passed away in November 2001 at the age of 72. She was survived by her husband (Russ) and two sons, Russell and James. No daughters (Mary and Evelyn) were mentioned. According to Marie Killilea's obituary, little Marie lives in CT and occasionally comes to the Larchmont library. Karen lives/works in Westchester County. She is on the board of a children's home and works for a well-known priest who runs retreats. Rory is married with children and lives in the Seattle area. Kristin is married and lives in Westchester county.

As for why someone from NY Telephone would have had connections to literary, theatrical people, I think this came more from Marie than Jimmy. Her father was a sportswriter for the NY Sun, and there probably would have been some connections there.