Far From The Tree
A Dozen Kinds of Love
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Far From The Tree
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Narrated by:
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Andrew Solomon
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By:
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Andrew Solomon
About this listen
From the National Book Award–winning author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression comes a monumental new work, a decade in the writing, about family.
In Far from the Tree, Andrew Solomon tells the stories of parents who not only learn to deal with their exceptional children but also find profound meaning in doing so.
Solomon’s startling proposition is that diversity is what unites us all. He writes about families coping with deafness, dwarfism, Down syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, multiple severe disabilities, with children who are prodigies, who are conceived in rape, who become criminals, who are transgender. While each of these characteristics is potentially isolating, the experience of difference within families is universal, as are the triumphs of love Solomon documents in every chapter.
All parenting turns on a crucial question: to what extent parents should accept their children for who they are, and to what extent they should help them become their best selves. Drawing on forty thousand pages of interview transcripts with more than three hundred families, Solomon mines the eloquence of ordinary people facing extreme challenges. Whether considering prenatal screening for genetic disorders, cochlear implants for the deaf, or gender reassignment surgery for transgender people, Solomon narrates a universal struggle toward compassion.
Many families grow closer through caring for a challenging child; most discover supportive communities of others similarly affected; some are inspired to become advocates and activists, celebrating the very conditions they once feared. Woven into their courageous and affirming stories is Solomon’s journey to accepting his own identity, which culminated in his midlife decision, influenced by this research, to become a parent.
Elegantly reported by a spectacularly original thinker, Far from the Tree explores themes of generosity, acceptance, and tolerance—all rooted in the insight that love can transcend every prejudice. This crucial and revelatory book expands our definition of what it is to be human.
©2012 Andrew Solomon (P)2014 Audible, LtdWhat listeners say about Far From The Tree
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 12-07-2021
Spectacular and life changing
Like other readers. The 40 hour audio book was a bit daunting. However don't be out off by this, this book is spectacular. Every chapter is beautifully written and I leant so much more on diversity than I thought I knew. Andrew will open up your eyes to a world you never knew existed for people. I will miss Andrew as 40 hours he was quite the companion! Looking forward to his other books.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Lou
- 03-12-2015
Just Amazing.
It's tough at first but once I had heard a few chapters I found myself craving more and now that I have come to the end I am filled with sadness that there is no more. This book has changed the way I think, a rare and cherishable thing. Solomon's philosophy is beautiful and honest. I so recommend this book to absolutely any and every human being, the world would be a better place if it was read far and widely.
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4 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sophia Cosmas
- 28-10-2019
In my top ten books ever.
I didn't know what I was in for when I downloaded this book. It was on the recommendation of a friend of my Dad's and when I saw how long it was I nearly keeled over. But I plugged in my earphones and put the lead on the dog, pressed play and set off on our walk on oh my heavens...what a ride.
"Far From The Tree" is a most extraordinary exploration of the nature of parenting, of diversity, of humanity, of love, of duty and as it says on the cover, of identity. It is told tenderly through Solomon's lens, looking at the lives of families he has interviewed and researched over the course of ten years. It also serves the purpose of helping him work out some of his own familial relationships.
The book is broken into chapters which may seem terrifying or dry, but you mustn't be put off by that. If you surrender to the rhythm and just allow yourself to be swept along by his narrative, the unfolding of his position is perfection.
When I got to the end, there were tears because it had reached it's natural and logical conclusion, but I went back to the beginning and listened again because it was the start that was so compelling that it drew me in so brilliantly in the first instance and I wasn't quite ready to say goodbye.
Such a treasure. 10 out of 10. 11 out of 10 if I could.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sarah Cook
- 01-03-2023
Truly remarkable
How does one even review such a profound book? It is sensational. And Solomon's narration is wonderful.
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