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There are currently 19 member reviews
for Bloom
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Selene M. (West Chicago, IL)
Bring the Kleenex
This was a very quick read only hampered by how often I had to wipe my eyes and blow my nose. It was poignant and true to life as we examine one mom's struggle with accepting a newborn with Down's Syndrome. The story takes us through the year long journey from shock and disbelief to acceptance and happiness. A sweet memoir.
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Margaret H. (Springfield, VA)
Bloom
Imagine the shock when Kelle saw that her anticipated daughter, Nella, had Down syndrome. Kelle had not opted for tests to determine if this was a possibility. It wasn’t long before her pediatrician confirmed her fears but it was equally fast for her friends and family to gather around her and support her during her days in the hospital with Nella and their first year together. This memoir traces Kelle’s feelings and actions as she deals with the fact that her daughter will be different. She starts a blog and eventually reaches out to others who are parents of Down syndrome children. All along she has so much support from her many friends and her husband and family, including the other children in the family. However, this book is mainly about Kelle and very little about the things that Nella did during her first year. We hear about her going places with her mother, wearing glasses, facing blood tests, and meeting her therapist. This would have been a better book for parents of Down syndrome children if more of this information had been included and not quite so self centered. However, I suppose this is a purpose of a memoir.
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Sharon M. (Oceanside, CA)
BLOOM
BLOOM is a wonderful book. It is so much the story of my Niece who was born with Downs. It is a wonderful, tragic story. I loved the pictures of the two girls. Kelle told the story with such love. I laughed and then I cried. A wonderful story.
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Sue H. (Bronx, NY)
Bloom by Kelle Hampton
As I'm sure many people will say, this is an inspiring book. But to me what is inspiring is not how Ms. Hampton handles life as a "special needs" mother, but rather how she handles life period. This may sound hokey, but the way Ms. Hampton embraces life, chooses to create celebrations, and appears to open her heart to one and all, is -- to someone with an innately different personality -- very much like reading about a different culture. And as often happens when I read about other cultures, it leads me to reflect on my own life and choices and, in this case, to make an effort to embrace the outside world more.
Bloom is an easy and quick read. It often reads like an extended blog post, but is nonetheless enjoyable.
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Mary F. (Muskegon, Mi)
Bloom
Finding beauty in the unexpected is exactly what Kelle Hampton did when her second daughter was born with Down's Syndrome. This memoir shows the love and support of family and friends that Kelle needed as she came to terms with the unexpected. I enjoyed reading of Kelle's passion for life and dealing with it as it shows up. The photography really enhanced the memoir.
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Melissa H. (Pittsburgh, PA)
Aspiring to Live an Oscar Worthy Life
I laughed, I cried and came away with a deeper appreciation for life. The honesty of this memoir was refreshing. In a world which is so focused on what is "normal" and "perfect", this woman discovered that these terms are defined within your own life and not by society.
It was beautiful to see this woman grow into a deeper and stronger person through the love of her two daughters. It also gave the reader perspective to appreciate the "wild and precious life" we have with all it's pain and heartache and beauty.
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Alexandra S. (Chicago, IL)
Good story, average writing
My husband opened the book when it came in the mail and said, "Don't read it. Please, don't read it. You're going to cry for an entire week." And of course, he was correct. I had to stop reading the book several times because I was in hysterics. There were moments when I was reading this book that right next to the author; I was to feeling her heart break and her pain. Ms. Hampton writes honestly and from her heart; she doesn’t hide her emotions, rather she wears them proudly. I found her outlook on life enchanting and something that more people should follow.
With that being said, there are faults in the book. I do enjoy a memoir that makes me feel like I’m sitting in a conversation with the author. However I felt like this was a little too cozy and unpolished. To me a book is supposed to draw you in, make you feel a part of the characters’ lives, but have words that are sharp and polished. I felt that this booked lacked that finesse.
