The Story of Beautiful Girl in Around the World in 80 Books

May 29, 2011 Beverly rated it really liked it

Every now and then, I will read a book that touches my heart and lingers with me long after I have read the last page. The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon is such a book. In 1968 on a stormy night a lonely, elderly widow, Martha, answers a knock on her farmhouse door. Standing before her is a deaf African-American male, Homan, and a developmentally-disabled Caucasian woman, Lynnie. While Martha is not sure how or why they chose her door, what is obvious to her is the affection they have Every now and then, I will read a book that touches my heart and lingers with me long after I have read the last page. The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon is such a book. In 1968 on a stormy night a lonely, elderly widow, Martha, answers a knock on her farmhouse door. Standing before her is a deaf African-American male, Homan, and a developmentally-disabled Caucasian woman, Lynnie. While Martha is not sure how or why they chose her door, what is obvious to her is the affection they have for each other, and that they are seeking refuge. As Lynnie removes her wet outer clothes, she unwraps a just-born baby girl. A little later that night, there is a second knock on the door, and it is the authorities from The Pennsylvania School for the Incurable and Feebleminded looking for two escaped inmates. But, the authorities only find Lynnie, as Homan has escaped into the dark undetected. As Lynnie is leaving she quietly whispers two words to Martha,’ hide her.’ Lynnie is hoping that she will not be isolated when she is returned to the school, as how else will Homan find her again. While escaping Homan is thinking on how to get back to the school to rescue Lynnie, and Martha needs to decide whether she will honor Lynnie’s request.

This endearing novel goes on to follow the lives of the main characters; Homan, Lynnie, Martha and Julia (baby) over the next 40 years in a truly eye-opening tale. The book drew me in one page at a time as I needed to know if Lynnie would ever see her baby again, if Lynnie and Homan would be reunited, what decision would Martha make regarding the baby, and most importantly what was the back story that forced Lynnie and Homan to flee the school. While Ms. Simon will answer all of these questions, she will also take you into the often hidden world of the institutions that are entrusted with the care and treatment of people who society has labeled as disabled. The strength of the book is the inner monologues of Lynnie and Homan as they fight to survive in an unwelcome world with as much dignity as they can hold on to. These characters reflect the hope, challenges and despair of human nature and behavior.

While at times the story may lapse into the events that may not be quite believable to some readers, such as the unquestioning help of Martha’s students, this can be easily overlooked as it helps point to several questions we as a society and as individuals need to ask ourselves: How should society cope with individuals with disabilities?, How would I want to be treated if I had a disability?, and most importantly, How do I treat individuals who are different from myself?

When Lynnie is returned to the school, we learn of the horrors, and the mistreatment she and others had to endure. While this school and many others like it have been closed and I am aware of the changes we have made in helping people with disabilities live with respect and dignity, I was dismayed to read an article in the New York Times on June 5th, regarding the death of a disabled boy and the horrific conditions under which he and others in some state institutions still have to live. Illustrating that as a society we have made some strides, but as a people we still have much to do to show compassion towards others that are different from each of us.

I highly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy stories where the human spirit triumphs over indifference.

Reviewed by Beverly
APOOO Literary Book Review
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Jun 10, 2012 Amy Rosa rated it it was amazing

Wow what a great well-written story. Incredibly touching and it moved me to tears. The chapters alternate between four main characters and you immediately fall in love with the main character Lynnie who has grown up in an institution for the "feeble-minded" in the 70s. She has been mistreated by many different people working at this place except for one staff member Kate who takes her under her wing and fosters Lynnie's development. The story is also a love story between Lynnie and another resid ...more

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Jul 11, 2011 Andy Plonka rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A sensitive account of a mentally challenged girl and her deaf black boyfriend who give up their baby girl to a widow so she will have a batter life. It is fiction but it could have been real as the conditions in the "homes" or "schools" for those outside the norm were not great in this country. ...more

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Jul 18, 2011 Jessica rated it liked it

Shelves: borrowed-from-mom, popular-lit

While it strikes a special chord for me because my daughter shares a name with one of the characters, overall it feels slightly too Hallmark happy ending for my taste. For me, I think it would have been more successful with a little more grit in the wheels.

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