Review: A Different Viewpoint
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 3, 2013
I just finished this...glad to see some of my fav characters back!  Wonderful to know that Jacob is doing so well!  Seems to be a great deal of controversy over this book....not necessarily a bad thing - life can't be all sunshine and lollipops.  I did appreciate Debora writing about autism and Aspergers in particular - it was educational, and tried hard not to be preachy.  I know that it is a dear subject for her.That being said, I think that most of the reviewers don't like their favorite characters being belittled or told that they are wrong by 180 degrees and can't get it right.  Also that they are suffering and are criticized rather than given support.  Maybe this is why some of the reviews were a bit harsh.  I do think that these characters are so empathetic that it is hard to suspend disbelief and read about them being so obtuse.Yes, Beth is special needs, but it seems as if sometimes she uses it as a convenient crutch....don't touch/oh, but you can....and she comes off as a very grumpy and difficult personality rather than likable.  Jacob is much more understandable and is a WONDERFUL character.  It is really only at the final circle, when Beth starts to make concessions and accept those around her as they have so obviously been doing for her, that there is progress.  I think that as an adult, she would have learned to be more adaptable as she states that she is, rather than behaving worse than the child in the story.That being said, it was a brave branching out for Debora, and the story was interesting and educational.  I do miss the miracles a la magical butterfly....and we never did find out what the birthday boy received....I think there was a missed chance at fun and sharing with Beth.  I look forward to the next books....I still love the family, "faults" and all.