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| Plot Summary of The Sound of a Miracle |
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""The Sound of a Miracle" focuses on author Stehli's relationships with her two daughters: Georgie, who is autistic, and Dotsie, who has leukemia, and her attempts to get effective treatments for both of them. Past attitudes toward autism are both shocking and interesting, usually blaming the mother for her ineffective parenting skills, and often demanding that autistic children be institutionalized. At one point in the book, Stehli is grocery shopping and reaches into her somewhat messy tote bag for her wallet. She is then reprimanded by a woman she barely knows, who implies that Stehli's own disorganization is responsible for her autistic daughter's problems. Sadly, such comments seemed to be typical, and the first half of the book shows Stehli's attempts to work through her grief, depression and guilt while the world around her continues to place the blame firmly in her corner. During this time, Stehli's marriage crumbles, her daughter Dotsie dies, and Georgie is placed in an instituion.
Eventually, Stehli remarries and she and her new husband travel to Europe, taking Geogie with them. It is there that Georgie undergoes auditory therapy, which apparently completely cures Georgie of all her autistic behaviors. At this point, the book switches gears and Stehli writes of her happy marriage and of Georgie's accomplishments, ending on a note of happiness and hope.
"
E. J. McDonald, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of The Sound of a Miracle |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Family, ill
Yes
Who?
- Daughter
because he/she is
- mentally ill
Period of greatest activity?
- 1950+
Subject of Biography
Gender
- Female
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a kid
Eccentric/Mental
Yes
Eccentric:
- mentally ill
Ethnicity
- White
Nationality
- American (!)
How sensitive is this person?
- hard edged
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other people
Physique
- average physique
Setting
How much descriptions of surroundings?
- 2 (a little)
United States
Yes
Europe
Yes
Century:
- 1960's-1970's
Style
Person
- mostly 1st
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Book makes you feel?
- concerned
Commentary on society?
Yes
Writer's slant towards subject:
- favorable
Story of entire life, or part?
- story of set of events during life
Is this a biography of several people?
Yes
Pictures/Illustrations?
- None
How much dialogue in bio?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
How much of bio focuses on most famous period of life?
- 26-50% of book
How much is philosophy rather than life story?
- 0-25% of book
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Click here for more information about this book
Annabel Stehli Resident Scholar Profiles
TOP SCHOLAR:
 E. J. McDonald
SCHOLARS:
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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