Monday, October 22, 2012

Book Review: Bloom by Kelle Hampton

A few weeks after Claire was born a birth story starting showing up on the internet.  It was the beautiful story of a birth, followed by the unexpected news that the baby had Down syndrome.  We were nearly certain Claire had Down syndrome so the news wasn't a shock to us like it was for the Hampton's, but the raw emotion in the post resonated with me, and I couldn't help but cry when I read it.  Even now, nearly three years later, my eyes prick with tears when I reread the post.

This birth story was my introduction to Kelle Hampton and her blog, Enjoying the Small Things.  Kelle had been blogging long before Nella's arrival, but that birth story introduced her blog to a whole new set of fans.  Because our girls were nearly the same age, and because Kelle seemed to be *the* Down syndrome blogger to keep up with, I started following along.

After reading her blog for a while I discovered Kelle and I are so very different.  Her world is (seemingly) filled with perfectly dressed kids, extravagant parties, beautifully staged photos and I often left her blog feeling a bit defeated.  She seemed to have it all together, and I was lucky to have time to do the dishes and take a shower.

Because I felt so far removed from her way of life I didn't read her memoir, Bloom, for quite a while. (I actually had to check it out from the library three times.  It kept expiring because I never made time to read it, even though it is a fast read.)  If you've read Kelle's blog, expect more of the same from her book.  If you are new to her...there are stories about her amazing group of friends and all their crazy times together, beer handed out liberally, and lots of dudes, bad asses and hot messes.

My main criticism of the book is that it's not particularly well written.  There are quite a few times I had to remind myself that this was a grown women, a mother, telling her story and not a high school student.  Parts of the book were incredibly juvenile, as if Kelle was mainly concerned about still being the cool kid, even though she now has this not quite perfect daughter.  I wanted the raw emotion that came through in Nella's birth story, and I just didn't have the same connection to Bloom.

Where Bloom shines is with the photographs.  Kelle is incredibly talented, her girls are beautiful and that helps Bloom appeal to people without children with disabilities.  People can easily glance through the photos and see that Kelle's life, and ours too, really isn't that different from anyone else's.

Recommended? Yes and no.  There are many, many people in the Down syndrome community who have read and fallen in love with this book.  Many seem to connect with the emotion in it, but I wasn't one of them.  I would read a sentence here and there are think YES!! I remember feeling that way.  But I wanted those moments of connection throughout the entire book, and I just didn't have that.

I think Kelle has managed to take away some of the fear surrounding Down syndrome with her photography, book and blog, and I appreciate that. Read this book for the photos.  As with any memoir, remember that this is Kelle's experience, not mine.


17 comments:

  1. Thank you for your honest opinion. I have not read the book yet, but may. I have put off reading it for the same reasons you list. Thanks!

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  2. Yeah, I still might not read it. I think you've said here exactly the way I feel about her blog, and I don't know if I'm willing to put the time into a book that will do nothing for me, either.

    I think Kelle is doing a lot of good things for the community as far as getting a message out there that life can be beautifully NORMAL for people with Down syndrome, and for that, I'm grateful.

    But her life and mine are VERY different. Down syndrome isn't the same for her as it is for me, either.

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  3. Good review! I have mixed feelings about the book as well. There were many parts I could relate to, many thoughts and feelings she spoke about I remember having also. But overall the tone of the book was not one I liked. It lacked maturity. It was not well written, or edited for that matter.
    And sometimes the things she wrote about actually took away from the beauty of the message she was trying to get out there. Things like noticing how hot her Doctor was, or crying while shaving her legs in the shower the next morning...I could relate to her grief, but the last thing on my mind the morning after I found out my son had Ds was shaving my legs and applying my makeup...So I found when she mentioned trivial things like that it took away from beauty that could have been in the story and just made her look shallow.
    That said, her book was filled with beautiful pictures, and if you could get past the skinny dipping and beer drinking stories, it did have a powerful message of embracing life and finding beauty in the unexpected, like she said...And really, it was a book that many found inspiring and beautiful...And I just think ANY positive attention for Down syndrome is awesome, so I think it's a book worth being out there.

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  4. When I read the reviews of this book, I always thought of you, even though I knew that you knew Claire had Down's Syndrome before she was born. I guess even though this book didn't necessarily resonate with you and your experiences, I think it is great that she wrote the book (and the blog). The more awareness out there the better!

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  5. Thanks for your review. I can't even bring myself to read it because of the world that she lives in that is so different and unrealistic from mine...

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  6. I am just not a fan. But if people within this community derive guidance and empowerment from her beautiful child and her blog, then that can't be a bad thing. And if people outside this community, derive more acceptance and understanding, of our children and the beauty they give to this world, then that is incredible.

    I,and this is just my opinion, strictly my opinion, I really do not think the life she portrays is a realistic picture. And sometimes, and this again is a total judgment call, I am not certain Kelle knows just how absolutely lucky she is to have the superstar she has. Might be that chip on my shoulder talking but, it is how I feel.

    So there is my 2 cents. Which is worth nothing.

    Love to you and your beautiful crew.

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  7. You rock! I mean really...I love this review...I am not reading it...left that following a long time ago...I cannot keep up with it! I think my day isgoodwhen I have showered and all is not chaos in the house! Smiles

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  8. Great review, Melissa! I have not read the book and as such, I appreciate your honest opinion :-)

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  9. I haven't read it, am not sure if I'm going to read it. I might, one day. I don't read her blog anymore, either. Got sick of how far-removed I am from her, and just don't relate at all. I don't know that her story is all that relevant to many people, and am not so sure if she's not painting an unrealistic picture for people both on the outside and within "the fold." Btw, can I just tell you how GORGEOUS your blog header is?????

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  10. This book was my first introduction to Hampton and I did enjoy it. I get what you're saying though - there were times I felt she was still a sorority girl worried about impressing other people. The photos in this book are gorgeous.

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  11. Spot on Sister. I read it but did not take away much. I do not think that Kelle has fully grown into the role she has taken on. One will never know the TRUE Kelle as she is a persona. Like you said she had her blog and following long before Nella. She has and continues to do good for awareness but I think she paints an unrealistic picture of life with kids in general. It is her business. Nella's birth story was the first I ever read and first blog post I ever read for that matter and I was shocked by the raw emotion and the me, me, me of it. I was heartbroken for Nella. My Bridgie was born either a day before or day after Nella (can't remember which) and I read this story when she was about 6 months old. I followed the blog and became more and more reassured that Nella was loved and reached out to Kelle and never had a response. I continued to follow for a time, then only looked at the pictures, and now they sit unopened in my reader. I hope that Kelle will continue to grow in her own personal journey and think she offers the 'cool kids' something to aspire to to. I, however, prefer to read fromm the adult section these days.

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  12. I had mixed opinions, too. Good review. I love your new blog header!

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  13. Love, love your header! And appreciate your review :)

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  14. This is why I am thankful that we are a community, not just one story. It would be ridicioulous to think we could completely connect and relate to anyone's story because all of our circumstances have their own unique aspects. I enjoyed kelles book for what it was, understanding it was her story told her way with her personality. I connect with her on some things and other things not at all. But each of us do something for our kids future with our story. kelles love of pretty things helps deflated the stereo type that down syndrome is unattractive. I love that. great review, beautiful new header and even more so thanks for sharing your story through your blog.

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  15. Kelle's not my cup of tea, but I'm glad she's out there, with her pretty pictures of life with Down syndrome, for others sakes. But her life isn't something I really relate to..

    Me? I can relate to the barely have time to shower crowd! :)

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  16. Loved this book, but I do understand what your points are. Her life definitely is "pretty" 100% of the time and they never seem to have issues or problems! BTW your girls are just gorgeous. :)

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  17. She's just too unbelievably fake to be taken seriously. Wouldn't recommend her book or blog to anyone.

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