Rachel in the World: A Memoir

Jane Bernstein

Oct 2010 · University of Illinois Press

About this eBook

What happens when love is no longer enough? Jane Bernstein thought that learning to accept her daughter’s disabilities meant her struggles were over. But as Rachel grew up and needed more than a parent’s devotion, both mother and daughter were confronted with formidable obstacles. Rachel in the World, which begins in Rachel’s fifth year and ends when she turns twenty-two, tells of their barriers and successes with the same honesty and humor that made Loving Rachel, Bernstein’s first memoir, a classic in its field. The linked accounts in part 1 center on family issues, social services, experiences with caregivers, and Rachel herself--difficult, charming, hard to fathom, eager for her own independence. The second part of the book chronicles Bernstein’s attempt to find Rachel housing at a time when over 200,000 Americans with mental retardation were on waiting lists for residential services. As Rachel prepares to leave her mother’s constant protection, Bernstein invites the reader to share the frustrations and unexpected pleasures of finding a place for her daughter, first in her family, and then in the world.

Ratings and reviews

The book was well written, incredibly honest, and it probably took a lot of courage for Jane Bernstein to publish, and my complaint probably has nothing to do with the author. Some chapters just don't load. It is incredibly annoying, I spent money on this. I could not read more than half of the chapters. I have to write a paper based on this book. I think the mistake is Google's and it is incredibly dissatisfying.

I usualy cant see my self finishing a book but with this one I could not put down.

About the author

Jane Bernstein, a professor of English and creative writing at Carnegie Mellon University, is the author of Loving Rachel: A Family's Journey from Grief, Bereft--A Sister's Story, and other books. For more, visit www.janebernstein.net.