The Child Who Never Grew (Paperback)

~ (Author), James A. Michener (Foreword) "The Child Who Never Grew was published first as an article in the Ladies Home Journal in May, 1950, and a year later in hardcover..." (more)
Key Phrases: inescapable sorrow, United States, The Training School

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Nobel laureate Buck's groundbreaking account of raising a mentally retarded child, originally published in 1950, appears here with new material, including a foreword by James A. Michener.

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Woodbine House is proud to bring back into print a classic in disability literature. Written by the Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winning author of The Good Earth and many other books, this personal account broke a national taboo when it was originally published in 1950. Buck's inspiring account of her struggle to help and understand her daughter with mental retardation was the first disclosure of its kind by a public figure. Today, much of the emotional experience Buck so eloquently describes still rings true. New material written especially for this edition amplifies her story and gives the book an important historical perspective.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 107 pages
• Publisher: Woodbine House (September 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0933149492
• ISBN-13: 978-0933149496
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #183,640 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A moving family story, June 10, 2002

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

"The Child Who Never Grew," by Pearl S. Buck, is the true story of the struggle of the author after learning that her daughter Carol, born in 1920, was mentally handicapped. The 1992 Woodbine House edition contains a foreword by James Michener, an introduction by Martha M. Jablow, and an afterword by Janice C. Walsh, who was Pearl's daughter and Carol's's sister.

Jablow notes in her intro that "Child" first appeared as an article in "Ladies Home Journal" in 1950 and was shortly thereafter published in book form. Jablow notes that the book is "a landmark in the literature about disabilities." As such, I consider "Child" a fitting companion text to a book like Helen Keller's "The Story of My Life." Jablow notes that mental retardation "carried a shameful stigma" when Buck first had this story published; Jablow provides further useful historical context for the main text.

Buck writes very movingly of her heartache at the discovery of her child's plight. She documents her awareness of the stigma against people like Carol, and also tells of her search for an institution where Carol's special needs might be met. Buck passionately defends the humanity and worth of the mentally retarded, and tells what her experiences with Carol taught her: "I learned respect and reverence for every human mind. It was my child who taught me to understand so clearly that all people are equal in their humanity and that all have the same human rights."

Walsh's afterword continues the story of Carol. She fills in some of the very obvious gaps in Buck's story. Walsh's contribution to this book is very moving, and includes photos of Carol.

In addition to being a work of historical and sociological importance, I found "The Child Who Never Grew" to be a moving and very personal piece of American literature. For another good companion text, try William Styron's "Darkness Visible," in which the distinguished writer tells of his battle against clinical depression. Also, try "On the Way Home," by Laura Ingalls Wilder; this book has additional material by Laura's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane, and like "The Child Who Never Grew" is thus a sort of mother-daughter literary collaboration.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book from the heart, June 26, 2000

By	Margaret Rousseau (USA) - See all my reviews

I cherish this book. I am the mother of a wonderful little boy with special needs who is also terminal. I could never put into words all my thoughts and feelings. Ms. Buck did that beautifully and with heart. I reread it often and share it with other parents needing the encouragement that she bestows with her wonderful writing. Thank you!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth reading., July 7, 2002

By A Customer

A very moving book. The book was written 50 years ago, and it sounds as current as if it had been written today. A mother's feelings are timeless.