Rob N. (thor610) reviewed on 5/17/2010 + 24 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

I read a lot of "near-death experience" books. This is the first full book I have read that describes the experience of a very young child. I have read accounts of children's near-death experiences, but not a full book. Several times in the book the author, who happens to be the grandmother of the child in question, says that she is to report only and not to interpret what her child went through. "Great!" I thought. That's what I want. But that's not what was delivered. I found that what the little girl had to say was interesting, but when the adults intervened to interpret or tell what they believed such things meant, I found their comments intrusive. I believe that what the little girl has to say can stand on its own without a running defensive commentary by the adults. Interpreting the girl's child words was fine. Sometimes only mothers can understand the babyish talk of their child, but not the experience itself. And I am familiar enough with the Bible that I didn't need the author quoting it to me every time her granddaughter saw something that was similar to what is described in the Bible. I suppose this could be helpful for some people, but I found it to be, after once or twice, annoying. These references and commentary would better serve the narrative as footnotes.

I also began to doubt some of the girl's later experiences. I wondered if some of what she said was made up when she was pressed so hard by the adults for more and more information and began to tell them what she thought they wanted to hear.

I thought the book was interesting and much of her initial experience validated by what I have read elsewhere, but the adults' intrusiveness into the narrative does not make this a "keeper" for me.

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