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121st out of 302 books
—
350 voters
The Broken Cord
The controversial national bestseller that received unprecedented media attention, sparked the nation's interest in the plight of children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, and touched a nerve in all of us. Winner of the 1989 National Book Critics Circle Award.
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
January 1st 1900
by Harper Perennial
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It would be a shame if the circumstances surrounding the author's death cast a shadow over this fine book, because it is beautifully written, deeply felt, and a devastating account of the impact of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) among Native Americans.
Michael Dorris, a young unmarried college teacher and writer, adopts a Native American boy "Adam" whose developmental problems, he believes, are the result of poor nutrition, poor health care, and lack of proper parenting. In time, however, he discov...more
Michael Dorris, a young unmarried college teacher and writer, adopts a Native American boy "Adam" whose developmental problems, he believes, are the result of poor nutrition, poor health care, and lack of proper parenting. In time, however, he discov...more
I picked up this book because I love a gripping non-fiction book, and I also enjoyed Dorris's novel "A Yellow Raft in Blue Water," which I read a number of years ago. About 40 pages in, I committed the cardinal sin of Googling Michael Dorris (I try not to look something up if I'm not done reading it yet) and OMG -- I wish I hadn't. Look him up and you'll see what I mean. It was tough to remain objective as I read the remainder of the book, which is very well written and quite interesting. Unfort...more
I learned a lot from this book about the struggles of a parent with FAS or FAE. The expectations we put on our children can be pretty burdensome for both the children and the student. This book was very humble in its approach to some of the more complicated moral issues involved with FAS as well. I thought that Mr. Dorris spoke from the heart, but also shed some light onto the moral crossroads that confronts our society in the form of mothers who continue to have and abandon FAS children. Should...more
I picked up this book at a summer cabin and read it in three days, which is a pleasure in and of itself -- getting to read a book straight-through from cover-to-cover. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot from it. I also am struck by how, 20 years after its publication and wide impact, people are still in immense denial about the impact of drinking while pregnant. The reactions I have gotten here amongst this group of vacationers to the idea that any drinking while pregnant is a bad idea astoun...more
Jan 26, 2012
arjuna
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone with an interest in First Nations, FASD, women's rights, child advocacy, special needs
I'm not a fan of first-person "issue" books but I'll make an exception for this one - well-written, engaging, not overly sentimental, clearly timely and necessary, and not in the least diminished by the decades since publication. Granted I've an interest in the subject matter, but even so, well worth reading on its merits, both as a straightforward narrative and also as a clear depiction of precisely why that awful nexus where "rights" conflict is so emotive and resistant to majority, let alone...more
An interesting mix of personal experience and current (as of the time of the writing) discussion in medical/anthropological communities in regards to FAS. Dorris performs a lot of "man behind the curtain" narrative, which I thought might have been more appropriate in a foreward/intro, but part of the moving element of this book is that Dorris is a writer trying to work his way through raising an adopted son with FAS.
Both Dorris and Erdrich mention the suggestion of jailing an alcoholic pregnant...more
Both Dorris and Erdrich mention the suggestion of jailing an alcoholic pregnant...more
As a adoptive mom of a child with FAE, this was a must read. And thanks to parents like Michael did not have to wait years and years to find out that my little guy is effeted by this. My little guy has struggled his entire life with the effects of this. He angers quickly, can not always relate to others and how they might feel...Also takes alot personally as if you had done it to him. Even if he is outside a situation. Has had a very hard time catching up weight and size wise. He was failure thr...more
2 likes · like · see review
Jul 11, 2008
Claire Wolff
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Claire by:
my wonderful mommy, many years ago
Nearly 20 years after its publication and a decade since "Adam's" death and Dorris's scandalous suicide, The Broken Cord left me feeling nostalgic for that (innocent?) time when people were first learning about the emergent national crisis of FAS and when the Erdrich/Dorris household was a supportive nest of endless hope. Today, it is still a beautiful story full of love and the wonders of fatherhood, but it does leave the distinct taste of betrayal. Divorce? Child abuse? And he's not really Ame...more
A caveat; this review is based on my memories and impressions of reading and rereading this book many, many years ago. It moved me very much but these are no doubt inaccuracies in chronology and detail—for which I apologize in advance—but due only to the passage of time and the vagaries of my memory.
I loved Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris, so I sought out his other books and read next his nonfiction book, the Broken Cord, without realizing the focus of the book would be his personal...more
I loved Yellow Raft in Blue Water by Michael Dorris, so I sought out his other books and read next his nonfiction book, the Broken Cord, without realizing the focus of the book would be his personal...more
This is a heartbreaking book of one man's struggle to rais an adopted child suffering from the effects of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It was the first book recommended to me by the school psychologist when they determined that my adopted son's learning disabilities were the result of his bio-mother's continued alcohol and drug consumption during her entire pregnancy. It broke my heart, but it gave me hope,as well. Anyone who knows anyone who is thinking about having children, is going to have childr...more
I would give this 3.5 stars if I could. Dorris was a talented writer and a driven man. This tale of his struggles to raise and support his son with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome before the name or diagnosis was well known or understood is moving and humble. Humble is an odd word to use, but the best I could come up with, Dorris is clearly a well-educated and proud person who is not always humble in the text...but he shares his own mistakes and ego errors/denial ("I am smart, therefore I know that docto...more
This book is the story of Michael Dorris' son, Adam, who has Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Mr. Dorris conducted extensive research on this problem in the Native American population and details his findings in the book. It is very important information for our society, but the narrative gets a little bogged down in statistics at times.
Brilliant story about a little boy that Dorris and his wife Louise Erdrich adopted who suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome. I learned much about this heart breaking condition and was deeply affected by this tale of unconditonal love.
A very powerful book but I wasn't in love with the author's style of writing. I still strongly recommend for people who are going into the medical or addictions field as well as women who are considering become pregnant.
Experiences of raising a boy he adopted who had ADS -- Alcohol Deficiency Syndrome. I really recommend this book to gain understanding of what happens when a pregnant mother drinks alcohol
I learned a lot about Native American life and culture, as well as the devastating individual and social costs of fetal alchohol syndrome that stretch across lines of race and class.
Devastating. A remarkable first-hand account of raising a child with FAS and the effects on one family. Excellent background about the causes of the condition.
Very compelling. I read this years ago and it was really my first awareness of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and its horrific effects on children and those who love them..
devastating (and heroic) account of one family's struggle with fetal alcohol syndrome, and an interesting look into contemporary native american struggles.
Every person who is even thinking of having a child should READ this book. You will definitely not consider drinking any alcohol while pregnant.
I read this many years ago while I was in nursing school .... It was a very informative and interesting book, although quite sad.
Wow life with children who have Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. It is a life time. Mr. Dorris had more patience than I do.
Very informative and heart wrenching. Interesting information on attitudes toward drinking within tribal cultures.
Sad memoir of a father who adopted a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. I found the personal narrative compelling, but skimmed over a lot of the second half, which belabors a lot of depressing statistics that I had already heard.
I have been meaning to read this book ever since I was working for a member of congress from South Dakota -- FAS is a big deal there -- but I didn't realize how much of a connection it has directly to South Dakota, or I probably would have read it sooner.
Extra book ner...more
I have been meaning to read this book ever since I was working for a member of congress from South Dakota -- FAS is a big deal there -- but I didn't realize how much of a connection it has directly to South Dakota, or I probably would have read it sooner.
Extra book ner...more
A heartbreaking book, especially given the events that take place after the book was published.
I read this book in a writing class during college, and the story haunts me nearly 20 years later.
He spends the whole book proudly one-upping his own stupidity. Terrible. Simply terrible.
Wow. Stark. Anyone who thinks they can drink while pregnant should read this.
Amazing book of what it's like to have a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
Interesting book about raising an adopted child with fetal alcohol syndrome.
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Michael Dorris was a novelist, short story writer, nonfiction writer, and author of books for children
The first member of his family to attend college, Dorris graduated from Georgetown with honors in English and received his graduate degree in anthropology from Yale. Dorris worked as a professor of English and anthropology at Dartmouth College.
Dorris was part-Native American through the lineage o...more
More about Michael Dorris...
The first member of his family to attend college, Dorris graduated from Georgetown with honors in English and received his graduate degree in anthropology from Yale. Dorris worked as a professor of English and anthropology at Dartmouth College.
Dorris was part-Native American through the lineage o...more
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I am reading this now and I did exactly the same thing! googled his name sand now have a completely different perspective as I finish the book!
Jan 01, 2013 07:07am