Review of My Brave Face

[Vennessa Kuek]

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

---

5 out of 5 stars

---

Share This Review

---

This memoir is about a family's journey in raising their son, Stephen, who inherited brittle bone disease from the author. This was a heart-breaking prospect for his parents. So many normal things could cost him his life — his bones were so brittle that if he laughed too hard, he could break a rib. He could break his leg or hand if he played or did sports and accidentally fell. Nonetheless, this didn’t stop his parents from loving him and trying their best to give Stephen a normal life. In this book, Heather shares their beautiful story and all the distress that accompanied it.

The book starts with Heather’s own story, and major historical events are mentioned in the background. We’re allowed a clear view of how disability or sicknesses truly affect a person’s life. It is eye-opening and if you’re sensitive like me, you'll find it very moving. She doesn’t shy away from exploring deep topics, like mental health, isolation, difficult familial relations, war and how macroeconomics affect the individual life.

I was deeply moved by Heather and Raymond's love and affection towards their son. Despite the difficulties they faced, they tried their best to provide Stephen with a normal life, and their efforts paid off. Their adventures were simple, but always meaningful and filled with love. In fact, over time Stephen developed an admirable sense of humour and level of intelligence, and I found myself rooting for him every step of the way. I believe Stephen’s parents gave him more than a normal life. I was moved by the kind of love Heather and Ray showered Stephen with, and felt his life was quite extraordinary.

What I appreciated most about this book was the author's storytelling skills. She writes in a straightforward manner, but with an attention to detail that is truly remarkable. The inclusion of pictures throughout the book made the story feel very personal and added depth to the narrative. There are even pictures of drawings and letters, which was nice. The author shares their story with great detail, giving readers an inside look into the challenges they faced and how they overcame them. There is really nothing for me to nit-pick at, and I found it quite exceptional and refreshing.

While this book is emotional and filled with moments that may bring tears to readers' eyes, it is also a story of hope and perseverance. I believe that My Brave Face has the power to touch many lives and give people hope, especially those living with disabilities or parents who have children with disabilities. I found no errors while reading, and I believe it to be professionally edited. Overall, I rate My Brave Face by Heather Simpson 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend this book to anyone over the age of 16 who enjoys emotional stories filled with hope and resilience. This book truly is a beautifully written memoir that will stay with readers long after they finish reading it.

******
My Brave Face
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon