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Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music that Transformed Their Lives
The inspiring story of Rex, a boy who is not only blind and autistic, but who also happens to be a musical savant.How can an 11-year old boy hear a Mozart fantasy for the first time and play it back note-for-note perfectly-but struggle to navigate the familiar surroundings of his own home? Cathleen Lewis says her son Rex's laugh of total abandon is the single most joyous sound anyone could hear, but his tortured aversion to touch and sound breaks her heart and makes her wonder what God could have had in mind. In this book she shares the mystery of Rex and the highs, lows, hopes, dreams, joy, sorrows, and faith she has journeyed through with him.Endorsements"This memoir documents a musical savant in a way we have not seen before, allowing us to reconsider the limits we place on people with disabilities. Highly recommended for all public libraries and academic libraries with autism and special needs collections." -- Library Journal, 11/25/2008"Two of the most extraordinary and uplifting people I have ever known. Their story shows the amazingly moving struggle and success that proves love and faith can achieve miracles." -- Jane Seymour, actress, artist, author, and entrepreneur"The remarkable story of a mother's love and a child's indomitable spirit, told in a writer's style that riveted me to the page, is singularly the most important work ever written on the relationship between a parent and a child with disability. For me, as a person who happens to be blind, the experience of reading Rex was an eye-opener I will never forget. Bravo, Cathleen! Bravo, Rex. Your work and your lives will forever change the future of disability in America. -- Tom Sullivan, author of Adventures in Darkness and Together
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2008
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322 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 30, 2020
Very interesting! I was unaware of the 60 mins piece and enjoyed watching it after fininshing the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCF1x...
February 20, 2011
I really enjoyed this book! Before reading this book I had seen Rex and/or Derek Paravicini (who is also mentioned in the book) on a 60 Minutes spot. When I saw this book available on sale for my Kindle, I had to try it out.
I found this book very interesting. I connected with this book more than the typical my-child-has-a-disability memoir that I've read. As a Speech-Language Pathologist who works in schools, I could identify with the author's struggles of getting Rex help within the school "system". She struggled to get him the appropriate help that he needed throughout elementary school, and honestly, is probably still struggling with that today. But, she didn't give up on the school. She didn't pull him out to home school him or put him in a special school and while I'm sure she may have wanted to scream or even give up, she doesn't seem to have done either of those things. It's refreshing to hear about a parent of a child with a disability who truly is their child's advocate. So many parents simply send their children off to school assuming that the school can fix their child, it's their job.
I also found Rex to be truly fascinating. I loved hearing his story of how he came out of his shell with his piano. But, even more interesting to me was his first words and how his communication came about. I loved hearing about his interactions with peers, adults, and with Derek Paravicini when they met. When I got to that part at the end of the story I watched the 5 part series on youtube and it helped to bring the whole book together.
Cathleen Lewis did a great job telling her story of her life with Rex thus far. She didn't come off as someone who wants pity or anything like that. I thought it was well written and put together. At the end of the the book, she suddenly got very religious in her writing. I found this part to be a bit distracting from the overall information in the book. That's just my opinion.
As for the Kindle edition, there were a couple of unclosed quotation marks and some spacing issues where some words ran together, but they were minor and probably just due to the formatting or programming that goes into conversion. Not a big deal.
I found this book very interesting. I connected with this book more than the typical my-child-has-a-disability memoir that I've read. As a Speech-Language Pathologist who works in schools, I could identify with the author's struggles of getting Rex help within the school "system". She struggled to get him the appropriate help that he needed throughout elementary school, and honestly, is probably still struggling with that today. But, she didn't give up on the school. She didn't pull him out to home school him or put him in a special school and while I'm sure she may have wanted to scream or even give up, she doesn't seem to have done either of those things. It's refreshing to hear about a parent of a child with a disability who truly is their child's advocate. So many parents simply send their children off to school assuming that the school can fix their child, it's their job.
I also found Rex to be truly fascinating. I loved hearing his story of how he came out of his shell with his piano. But, even more interesting to me was his first words and how his communication came about. I loved hearing about his interactions with peers, adults, and with Derek Paravicini when they met. When I got to that part at the end of the story I watched the 5 part series on youtube and it helped to bring the whole book together.
Cathleen Lewis did a great job telling her story of her life with Rex thus far. She didn't come off as someone who wants pity or anything like that. I thought it was well written and put together. At the end of the the book, she suddenly got very religious in her writing. I found this part to be a bit distracting from the overall information in the book. That's just my opinion.
As for the Kindle edition, there were a couple of unclosed quotation marks and some spacing issues where some words ran together, but they were minor and probably just due to the formatting or programming that goes into conversion. Not a big deal.
April 25, 2019
Amazing book for so many reasons. Honest in the discouragement and struggle and disappointment that comes for parents with the discovery that their beautiful child is blind, and then, later, that he is also autistic. These are huge obstacles to finding ways to reach into his world and for him to participate in the world around him. In looking for a bridge to communication, amazingly it becomes apparent that Rex has incredible and almost instant musical skills, totally beyond what "normally" musically gifted people can do. So the book is also amazing in giving a further glimpse into the human mind and it's potential despite disability. The reader also comes to understand how many in our society rejects what we don't understand or seems unusual. Instead of accepting and celebrating a person's life in all of its amazing variety; we often label, criticize, and avoid It.
Well written, engaging, realistic. Although she does not go into great detail about her faith in God, she clearly shows that it is important in bringing hope to her when she had little, and gave her strength to press on into helping Rex discover his potential and relate to others as well.
Well written, engaging, realistic. Although she does not go into great detail about her faith in God, she clearly shows that it is important in bringing hope to her when she had little, and gave her strength to press on into helping Rex discover his potential and relate to others as well.
February 8, 2010
I thought it was a beautiful and inspirational book..HOWEVER...I wish there was more about Rex's autism struggles in the book..as much as his blindness was mentioned, the autism should have been mentioned as much.
June 5, 2014
A very inspiring story. Rex is obviously amazingly talented, however I think his mother (the author of this book) is also amazingly talented to have been able to become such a natural clear-sighted advocate for her son with no training and minimal support from professionals.
The book maintains narrative tension well throughout and is a quick read (which was lucky as it was already overdue from the library when I started). Lewis either has an incredible editor or is a very able writer.
It is frustrating to read about Rex's elementary classroom teacher and her complete lack of understanding of Rex's educational needs, but unfortunately such circumstances are very common. The clever tactic employed by concert pianist David Pinto is on page 198 - instead of giving orders, he joins in with whatever was distracting Rex at the time and only then gently guides him back to what he was supposed to be doing - is far too rarely used. I often take my son swimming on a day when the special school is there and am disheartened to see that the children are only ever given orders, and shouted at when they do not comply. Thankfully they are given free time after their lesson, but the teachers/aides never join in with or comment on what is interesting the children at the time (such as this week, when a boy was playing with an big air bubble trapped in his bathing suit, or when they are having fun splashing). It's also noticeable that they don't routinely give the kids a warning when free time is about to end - it's just straight into "get out of the pool". That is of course unfair of me to say, when I'm not volunteering to teach these kids swimming. A far cry from the author, Lewis who has put her money where her mouth is and become an Educational Specialist in Visual Impairments.
This book is also a story about the author's spiritual journey from a world filled with motion yet somehow empty, to a life completely outside her comfort zone but full of purpose. The portrayal of her struggles with prayer and unfolding peace and sense of clarity reminds me of C.S.Lewis's quote: "...[prayer] doesn’t change God- it changes me." Plenty of food for thought here.
The book maintains narrative tension well throughout and is a quick read (which was lucky as it was already overdue from the library when I started). Lewis either has an incredible editor or is a very able writer.
It is frustrating to read about Rex's elementary classroom teacher and her complete lack of understanding of Rex's educational needs, but unfortunately such circumstances are very common. The clever tactic employed by concert pianist David Pinto is on page 198 - instead of giving orders, he joins in with whatever was distracting Rex at the time and only then gently guides him back to what he was supposed to be doing - is far too rarely used. I often take my son swimming on a day when the special school is there and am disheartened to see that the children are only ever given orders, and shouted at when they do not comply. Thankfully they are given free time after their lesson, but the teachers/aides never join in with or comment on what is interesting the children at the time (such as this week, when a boy was playing with an big air bubble trapped in his bathing suit, or when they are having fun splashing). It's also noticeable that they don't routinely give the kids a warning when free time is about to end - it's just straight into "get out of the pool". That is of course unfair of me to say, when I'm not volunteering to teach these kids swimming. A far cry from the author, Lewis who has put her money where her mouth is and become an Educational Specialist in Visual Impairments.
This book is also a story about the author's spiritual journey from a world filled with motion yet somehow empty, to a life completely outside her comfort zone but full of purpose. The portrayal of her struggles with prayer and unfolding peace and sense of clarity reminds me of C.S.Lewis's quote: "...[prayer] doesn’t change God- it changes me." Plenty of food for thought here.
November 29, 2011
Rex: A Mother, Her Autistic Child, and the Music That Transformed Their Lives by Cathleen Lewis is a heart wrenching, remarkable story about one mother and her quest to bring sight and normalcy to her blind and autistic son, Rex.
Before 2 years of age, Rex’s doctors and teachers said that he was not only blind, but autistic as well. This real life account is told by Lewis, Rex’s mother, and she takes you on an incredibly personal journey letting you into her innermost thoughts and feelings.
Raw with emotion, you will follow Rex’s story of learning to eat, crawl and beginning to stand before autism swoops in and steals it away. Frustration sets in as legs turn to spaghetti and feeding gets harder, not easier. Your heart will ache for the pain of this mother who only wants the most basic of functions to be learned by her son.
With an unexpected gift of a piano for Rex’s second birthday, the story begins to change. The boy who cannot “cross over center” freely crosses that imaginary line with his belly button as his fingers dance across the keyboard. The boy whose ears can be devastated by the sound of running water or the phone ringing become tolerant of even the loudest voices and noise when the piano is under hand. With this unexpected tool, Rex & Cathleen begin to compose a wonderful new life, full of possibility.
***
A Few Random Bonus Thoughts About Rex:
I love the musical staff lines embossed crossed the cover of the book – a subtle but nice hint at just how important music will be to this story.
I enjoy books that have photographs and Rex does not disappoint. It has several pages of photographs in the middle, which take you in and bring you closer to Rex and his incredible story.
I like how quotes from the text are pulled out and highlighted to the side throughout the book.
I also like how famous quotes are used at the beginning of each chapter and they were well chosen.
Before 2 years of age, Rex’s doctors and teachers said that he was not only blind, but autistic as well. This real life account is told by Lewis, Rex’s mother, and she takes you on an incredibly personal journey letting you into her innermost thoughts and feelings.
Raw with emotion, you will follow Rex’s story of learning to eat, crawl and beginning to stand before autism swoops in and steals it away. Frustration sets in as legs turn to spaghetti and feeding gets harder, not easier. Your heart will ache for the pain of this mother who only wants the most basic of functions to be learned by her son.
With an unexpected gift of a piano for Rex’s second birthday, the story begins to change. The boy who cannot “cross over center” freely crosses that imaginary line with his belly button as his fingers dance across the keyboard. The boy whose ears can be devastated by the sound of running water or the phone ringing become tolerant of even the loudest voices and noise when the piano is under hand. With this unexpected tool, Rex & Cathleen begin to compose a wonderful new life, full of possibility.
***
A Few Random Bonus Thoughts About Rex:
I love the musical staff lines embossed crossed the cover of the book – a subtle but nice hint at just how important music will be to this story.
I enjoy books that have photographs and Rex does not disappoint. It has several pages of photographs in the middle, which take you in and bring you closer to Rex and his incredible story.
I like how quotes from the text are pulled out and highlighted to the side throughout the book.
I also like how famous quotes are used at the beginning of each chapter and they were well chosen.
November 20, 2013
I was so thankful for the opportunity to read this book! It’s the story of God’s miraculous work in the lives of two incredible people: a multiply-disabled, musical savant and his lovingly dedicated mother.
The book starts out sad as Cathleen Lewis learns about one after another of her son’s disabilities and receives little, if any, encouragement or hope for his future. But when Cathleen begins to research these problems for herself, the book becomes quite fascinating. In fact, it demonstrates vividly just how “fearfully and wonderfully made” each of us actually is—the human brain is so complex! If the smallest thing is off, it can create big problems that baffle the world’s greatest minds and challenge the individual in huge ways!
Cathleen shares how her almost hopeless struggle to help Rex led her to God and how she relied on Him to guide her as Rex tackled each new developmental challenge. She also explains how God used music to help Rex overcome many of these challenges and also to find his joyful place in this world. To find such profound musical genius in one who struggles so with everything else is a wondrous, awe-inspiring thing. It is a truly happy and triumphant story of hope, God’s work, miracles, and grace.
The book starts out sad as Cathleen Lewis learns about one after another of her son’s disabilities and receives little, if any, encouragement or hope for his future. But when Cathleen begins to research these problems for herself, the book becomes quite fascinating. In fact, it demonstrates vividly just how “fearfully and wonderfully made” each of us actually is—the human brain is so complex! If the smallest thing is off, it can create big problems that baffle the world’s greatest minds and challenge the individual in huge ways!
Cathleen shares how her almost hopeless struggle to help Rex led her to God and how she relied on Him to guide her as Rex tackled each new developmental challenge. She also explains how God used music to help Rex overcome many of these challenges and also to find his joyful place in this world. To find such profound musical genius in one who struggles so with everything else is a wondrous, awe-inspiring thing. It is a truly happy and triumphant story of hope, God’s work, miracles, and grace.
October 19, 2011
I received this book thinking it was going to be a "just another memoir", but as I began reading the book, I knew it was much more then that. The author, Cathleen Lewis, draws you into the story about her son and all that they have both endured since he was born blind and soon after discovering he was autistic. The kind of struggles that Rex endured would and could and did, only be help up by a mom with a never ending love for her son, like Cathleen had. She never gave up and she kept going so that her son could have a fulfilling life, one that many thought would never be possible with his "inabilities". Rex is able to overlook the word "inabilities" and become a musical wonder.
Rex is just not a book about a mother's love to help her son, it is about a mother's journey to discover the deep love of God. She draws closer to God through all the struggles.
Rex is a must read for everyone. I really enjoyed the book. I think is a testimony to many that no matter the circumstances that God can give you in life, if you draw close to him he will be your guide and help you overcome.
Rex is just not a book about a mother's love to help her son, it is about a mother's journey to discover the deep love of God. She draws closer to God through all the struggles.
Rex is a must read for everyone. I really enjoyed the book. I think is a testimony to many that no matter the circumstances that God can give you in life, if you draw close to him he will be your guide and help you overcome.
February 14, 2011
Rex, the musical savant, is absolutely amazing. I have always had an incredible passion for music, and I was fascinated by what Rex can do with a piano... things I could never have accomplished with a lifetime of lessons.
The book is written by his mother, which makes the story of his struggles and triumphs all the more powerful. Cathleen's faith does play a role in how she deals with everything. If a heavy religious message isn't your thing, you may want to just skip the last chapter of the book called "Reflections".
While I would give Rex, the boy, 5 stars, and Cathleen 5 stars as a devoted mother, if I'm being honest, I can only give the book itself a solid 3-1/2. Good, certainly worth my time... but not amazing. (Keep in mind that I do not have children, and just really can't relate on a personal level to the story. I would imagine that for some people, this book will have a much deeper meaning.)
The book is written by his mother, which makes the story of his struggles and triumphs all the more powerful. Cathleen's faith does play a role in how she deals with everything. If a heavy religious message isn't your thing, you may want to just skip the last chapter of the book called "Reflections".
While I would give Rex, the boy, 5 stars, and Cathleen 5 stars as a devoted mother, if I'm being honest, I can only give the book itself a solid 3-1/2. Good, certainly worth my time... but not amazing. (Keep in mind that I do not have children, and just really can't relate on a personal level to the story. I would imagine that for some people, this book will have a much deeper meaning.)
January 1, 2016
In any person, Rex's talent is absolutely amazing; in a blind autistic child it is completely mind-boggling. I used to think that blindness alone would probably exclude someone from playing the piano but was I ever wrong.
Rex started playing the piano at around age 2 and he's never stopped. Already in his short life he has wowed the world. Everyone keeps asking, how does he do it, how does it work? His mother has come to the conclusion that it is from God and I would have to agree with her.
Rex's mother Cathleen Lewis tells the story of Rex in an extremely honest and emotional way. At times I was captured by the story and at other times I was quite irritated with it. When Lewis focuses on Rex and on God's work in her life, this book is fantastic; but when she overly injects her ego into it or gets on her soap-box it starts to feel like a mother-bear rant.
Overall, it was a fascinating read and I hope to hear more about Rex in the future.
Rex started playing the piano at around age 2 and he's never stopped. Already in his short life he has wowed the world. Everyone keeps asking, how does he do it, how does it work? His mother has come to the conclusion that it is from God and I would have to agree with her.
Rex's mother Cathleen Lewis tells the story of Rex in an extremely honest and emotional way. At times I was captured by the story and at other times I was quite irritated with it. When Lewis focuses on Rex and on God's work in her life, this book is fantastic; but when she overly injects her ego into it or gets on her soap-box it starts to feel like a mother-bear rant.
Overall, it was a fascinating read and I hope to hear more about Rex in the future.
July 21, 2017
Libro fantastico. In una testimonianza, di una malattia in questo caso, cerco il senso della sofferenza per per capire a pieno cosa vuol dire essere malati o vivere con un'altra persona non autosufficiente. Leggendo una testimonianza del genere, io voglio ridere, piangere e struggermi con l'autore. In questo libro l'ho fatto. Ogni passo di Rex lo sentivo come un traguardo in parte anche mio, tanto ero coinvolta nella lettura. Rex è un bimbo autistico che impara tardi a camminare, parlare o mangiare cibi diversi dal latte. Questa sua differenza con gli altri bambini faceva affliggere la mamma e, quando finalmente Rex tagliava un traguardo, io saltavo di felicità. Sono fiera di Rex.
Libro che coinvolge e che fa riflette, scritto molto bene e che si divora in poco tempo.
Assolutamente consigliato!
Libro che coinvolge e che fa riflette, scritto molto bene e che si divora in poco tempo.
Assolutamente consigliato!
September 5, 2010
Never give up! What an amazing story! The obstacles in Rex's way and in his mom's were insurmountable and yet neither one gave up. They kept going. Rex's mom fought the school system and everyone that wanted to just forget about her "little blind boy". With the love and determination of a mother, she fought for what was best for him. It wasn't easy and yet she did it and she didn't give up.
This is a must read for any mother, regardless of her child's age or abilities. I know I am recommending it to all my friends, as well as to my sister who has an autistic son. I know it will be inspiring.
This is a must read for any mother, regardless of her child's age or abilities. I know I am recommending it to all my friends, as well as to my sister who has an autistic son. I know it will be inspiring.
March 11, 2011
I really enjoyed this story. Its an amazing tale of motherhood at its hardest, and very helpful to me as a professional as well. Seeing an IEP meeting from the other side, dealing with therapists, etc. A blind autistic boy who opens up to the world via piano. I only gave it a 3 simply because I got tired of being prosletyzed to ;) If you are Christian, you'll probably eat that stuff up. For me, its a bit hard to swallow that God would make a boy blind and autistic to somehow "glorify" him. But that's another debate. I do appreciate anything that helped this single mama make it through dark times with her sweet boy.
March 27, 2011
Rex's story is amazing. His mother's devotion is more than admirable, but I have many mixed emotions about her struggle to achieve "normalcy" for her son. Having an autistic impaired child, I think this story hits a little to close to home for me. I found her comparing her son's abilities to other disable children and adults (Derek) and was a little disgusted that she was constantly try to make her son's achievements or deficits more or less than another's. All children are exceptional, we should celebrate differences and not focus on which one's make us better or worse. I don't think I can write a proper review on this story as my view point is tainted.
December 11, 2008
Extremely interesting story about an autistic and blind little boy who is also a musical genius. I had seen the child and his mother on The Early Show a few weeks ago and was captivated enough by his story to go to the library and get the book. It is heartwarming and worrisome all at the same time. His mother is a driven woman and has done nothing except fight for her son and his needs for his entire life! Autism is one affliction that needs to be whole-heartedly investigated. Too many instances of it are being diagnosed today and we need to get to the bottom of the causes!
February 23, 2009
I saw Rex on 60 Minutes and then found this book at the library. Rex's mother is completely dedicated to his growth, and he has made tremendous progress in his little life, not only on the piano but with all areas of his life. It's an inspirational and an easy read. I wonder what I would do if I had a child who was a musical savant -- a very special gift that comes with such special needs. Would I be writing books about them and traveling around the world so they could perform? I'm not judging anyone, and on the 60 Minutes piece, it clearly looks like Rex is enjoying it anyway. Go, Rex!
March 14, 2011
Emotional, and truly miraculous and inspiring! If I had this before I was a mother, I'm not sure what I would have thought, but having my own kids changes everything!
I saw Rex on 60 Minutes years ago and decided I had to read more about him.
I am not kidding you at all...take 15 minutes out of your busy day with kids or no kids and watch this amazing, unbelievable clip!
Read 100 pages so far and am enthralled! I also feel so, so blessed that my children are healthy (so far)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCF1xS...
I saw Rex on 60 Minutes years ago and decided I had to read more about him.
I am not kidding you at all...take 15 minutes out of your busy day with kids or no kids and watch this amazing, unbelievable clip!
Read 100 pages so far and am enthralled! I also feel so, so blessed that my children are healthy (so far)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCF1xS...
July 27, 2011
Rex is an inspirational story of a boy born with a congenital brain cyst that made him not only blind and autistic but miraculously a musical savant with perfect pitch who can reproduce note for note any musical ssequence he hears. Rex's challenging disablility and musical genuis brings his mother to faith and a daily dependence upon God's grace even as she questions His plan for Rex's life. All told this is a powerful and poignant story of a mother's love for and devotion to her son and her struggle to walk by faith and not by sight.
May 6, 2011
I loved the flow of the story. It was great to hear about how the IEP meeting was for Rex's Mom and how it made her feel to deal with some teachers. I thought that it was great that she wanted to communicate with teachers to help reinforce what Rex was learning at home.
I would have liked to hear more about how autism effected Rex. There was a lot about blindness, but not so much his struggles with autism.
I would have liked to hear more about how autism effected Rex. There was a lot about blindness, but not so much his struggles with autism.
January 23, 2013
A mother discovers her newborn son is blind and then later, autistic. As she struggles with these difficulties, she finds that music reaches him. He later proves to be a musical savant. It was fascinating to read about her and her son and helped me to understand better the autistic people I know. It also gave me a glimpse of what the parents have to deal with. You can search online for more info and to hear him play the piano.
March 14, 2009
This is an interesting journey of a mother and her multi-disabled son. The thing I appreciated most was the spiritual journey Cathleen shares as she turned to God and acknowledges His hand in her life and the life of her son. She courageously has faith in God when she feels none and continues to trust in Him and His plan. It was a great reminder to me to "Walk by faith, not by sight."
August 27, 2009
WOW! This is one of the best books I have ever read on the perspective of a mom with a special needs child. Rex is blind and autistic and a savant musically. This mom takes us from day #1 all the way to the present with a look into her life and all she learns from being a mom of a special boy like this. It is moving but not mere emotion either.
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July 22, 2010I really enjoyed this book! I was really impressed by Rex's mother, who despite all the trials that she had she was still remained strong, and faithful. She also saw God's power through Rex, and she prayed for him often. What a great book to recommend to others who need to be uplifted during their time of trial with a disabled loved one!
June 14, 2011
Wow! Wow! Wow! The challenges of raising a sick child along with advocating for your child's rights. Cathleen Lewis is a woman to be admired and a force to be reckoned with. "Rex" was an extremely inspiring and amazing book about a special boy and his dedicated and devoted mom. What an awesome musical gift given by an awesome God.
December 5, 2015
An enjoyable account of a modern-day child with complex challenges and incredible talent. I found it an easy, pleasant read. Cathleen Lewis has authored a well-written and honest account that feels real but is devoid of relentless tragedy. A little light talk of faith/religion, but it's not pervasive or the focus of the book; that, rightly, is Rex, and the bond between him and his mother.
September 8, 2014
This is a must read for anyone who works in a school, works with special needs children, or just loves kids. I can't recommend it highly enough. Rex, born blind and autistic is extremely musically gifted. His mother fought for him every step of the way against all odds. It is a lesson for parents of special needs children as well. Please read this book. You won't be sorry.
January 28, 2009
I really enjoyed this one. I found it inspirational. It was written by Rex's mother, so it leans pretty hard her way when she differs in opinion with someone. Still, I thought she did a pretty good job writing objectively. I would definitely recommend for a quick, easy read.
March 24, 2011
I learned so much from this book. The obstacles that both mother and son had to conquer. Beautifully written, at times I found myself almost hearing the music that Rex was performing. This is a must read, and if you are like me, you'll be playing some Beatles tunes at the end.
December 18, 2011
Being the sister of a special needs brother I can now more appreciate what my mom went through in raising my brother. I didn't give it 5 stars because at some point Rex's mom got very preachy and I was more interested in Rex, it was supposed to be a story about Rex, and not so much about mom.
January 13, 2013
I read 75% of this book and don't regret spending part of my afternoon doing so, but I think that was plenty. It's a fascinating look into the world of a blind boy who is a musical savant and autistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews