has been "out there" for about two months now, and I've had my first string of readings and talks associated with it (and by the way, I fixed the link to the talk about perfection from earlier this week so you can now access it). Overall, the response has been a positive one, from parents of children with Down syndrome who find points of similarity and encouragement from our story, to parents of typically-developing children who feel they've been given a new perspective on disability, to people who appreciate the theological questions raised or just the story or writing itself. But, of course, along with the positive responses come the negative ones, critiques of the book as inaccurate or long-winded, criticism that the transformation I describe in myself is dependent upon Penny's ability to talk and not upon my new understanding of the value of every human life, regardless of achievement. I'll leave it to you to decide what you think, but here are excerpts from a few recent reviews and an interview to whet your appetite. If you've read A Good and Perfect Gift, feel free to share what you think too.
In an interview with northjersey.com, I was asked, "What message do you hope readers will gain from this book?"
I hope readers will leave A Good and Perfect Gift with an expanded understanding of our common humanity and the goodness that comes from receiving one another with love and acceptance rather than based upon performance or achievement. Moreover, I hope the story will challenge our cultural assumptions about human perfection and help readers to desire human flourishing instead.
I hope, of course, that I succeeded in that intention. Here are a few more responses:
Nancy Iannone, director of downsyndromepregnancy.org, writes
Often we as parents interact with the world using an external dialogue to help us maintain control, and an internal monologue to express the panic. Ms. Becker's thoughts are deep and private, taken from a personal journal, the things we never really share with the people around us. She deftly and gently recounts the comments from others that leave her hurt, but does not spare herself from critique, questioning her own preconceived impressions and biases . . .
It may be difficult for our expectant parents to see their children and Down syndrome this way. You have not walked the path Ms. Becker has walked – not yet. But reading this book will bring you the hope that you will be there some day, not reading about someone else's transformation, but reflecting on your own. You may see much of yourself in Ms. Becker's book. Though an exploration of her faith is an important part of her story, a parent does not have to share her faith to gain perspective from reading this thoughtful, eloquent story of self-reflection and growth.
And now for something completely different, a critique from Milk Donor Mama:
What I did not like about this book was that, honestly, Penny is a fairly typical child in her abilities and development. In my own opinion, it is easier to keep the faith when your challenges are... less. Had Penny been born like my own sister- deaf, blind and profoundly mentally retarded, along with chronic conditions such as asthma and possibly other health complications, especially as she ages- I can't help but wonder if Becker would tell things the same way. I got the feeling that Becker either exaggerated or told the story through rose colored glasses in the last part of the book.
