Review of My Brave Face

[Justine Ocsebio]

[Following is a volunteer review of "My Brave Face" by Heather Simpson.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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For a lot of parents, seeing their children achieve every milestone in life is such a wonderful thing. Sadly, not every family is ordinary. My Brave Face by Heather Simpson is a non-fiction book that chronicles the life of an Australian family raising a child with brittle bone disease. Amidst overwhelming hardships in life, this book is a witness to a family's attempt to live a life of joy and hope.

The book straightforwardly tells the events that occurred during the travels of this family. They are complete with details, flowing in a chronological and cohesive manner. Since the narrative begins in the 1940s, historical events are happening in the background, like the anti-war protests during the Vietnam War and the assassination of Martin Luther King.

I like the author's attempt to make the reader understand the disease and the limitations of an individual suffering from it. The book also explores aspects beyond physical difficulties, such as the struggle to maintain a social life and find love. In the book, the author mentions that parental love can only do so much in giving their son a joyful life. Stephen still needs a normal life, especially during his youthful years. The book should be relatable for any family dealing with a person with a disability. Ultimately, this book teaches empathy and understanding of other people's struggles. The author guarantees that she is not only telling these real-life events but she is also weaving emotions into the text. This is what I like the most about this book. I like memoirs that incorporate humor and sentimentality, allowing the reader to care for the individuals involved in the story.

I don't have anything to dislike about the book. It has a nice organization, and it is easy to navigate around. There are pictures inside the book to aid one's imagination. There are no errors in the text, so it is safe to conclude that the book has excellent editing quality.

I'm giving My Brave Face a rating of 5 out of 5 stars. This non-fiction book has good organization, plenty of important lessons, and some heart-warming sentiments. There are no significant errors that will merit a deduction of a star. People dealing with handicapped loved ones will appreciate this book the most. I also recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotionally moving narrative because this book will not fail you.

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My Brave Face
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