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Book of the Week

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Serialised book readings, featuring works from various genres

Serialised book readings, featuring works of non-fiction, biography, autobiography, travel, diaries, essays, humour and history

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Book of the Week: Andrew Solomon - Far From the Tree

Book of the Week: Andrew Solomon - Far From the Tree: Episode 3

Factual: Families & Relationships

Far From the Tree

Episode 3

Andrew Solomon - Far From the Tree

BBC Radio 4 - Book of the Week, Andrew Solomon - Far From the Tree, Episode 3

A child of exceptional ability can present as many challenges to parents as any disability

By Andrew Solomon. Stories of families who learn to deal with exceptional children. A child of exceptional ability can present as many challenges to parents as any disability.

The time-worn adage says that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, meaning that a child resembles his or her parents. The children described in this book are apples that have fallen elsewhere - some a couple of orchards away, some on the other side of the world. Yet myriad families learn to tolerate, accept and finally celebrate children who are not what they originally had in mind.

Andrew Solomon introduces us to families coping with deafness, Down syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, and disability - as well as families who have children who are prodigies, who are gay, or who become criminals.

While each of these characteristics is potentially isolating, Solomon documents the repeated triumphs of human love and compassion to show that the shared experience of difference is what unites us.

Episode 3 (of 5):
A child of exceptional ability, such as a musical prodigy, can present as many special needs and challenges to his parents as a child who has disabilities or is different in some other way. The tensions between these children and their parents can create extraordinary pressures and dilemmas.


Read by Kerry Shale
Abridged and produced by Jill Waters
A Waters Company production for BBC Radio 4.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Stories of families who learn to deal with their exceptional children, by Andrew Solomon

An investigation into the challenges of parenthood tells the stories of families who learn to deal with their exceptional children and find profound meaning in doing so.

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