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There are currently 52 member reviews
for Happiness
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Renee K. (Salem, UT)
Happiness by Heather Harpham
Memoirs are not usually my favorite genre and I didn't understand that this book was just that...until I began to read. However, having been through a similar experience of having a child born with a congenital heart disease while my husband was deployed, I could relate somewhat, which kept me reading. I do not think this is a book that a majority of readers would rate as " Very Good", overall because of the subject but it was written well, and was interesting to note the changes that came about as Brian fell in love with his daughter and yet I was impressed with Heather's patience and understanding while those changes came about, and continued through another pregnancy, before wanting to marry her.
It was not a book I would read again.
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Melinda H. (Cornelius, NC)
charming
I admit, it seems strange to use the word charming to describe such a medically centered book, but it is truly nothing short. Although a difficult topic, Harpham manages to portray her deeply personal story with charm and grace. Her voice never loses its underlying positivity even in the face of traumatic medical decisions involving both of her children. In spite of this, I still felt as if I were disconnected from them, like I was on the outside looking in. Even so, I found Happiness to be an easy read, with an entirely lovable family.
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Wendy F. (Kalamazoo, MI)
Happiness
I fell in love with this family at the first page. Reading about the love story and struggles of Heather and Brian was enthralling. One line that truly caught me was "Memory is fluid and shape-shifts to our desires." How true.
A story of love, tragedy, loyalty...FAMILY. I enjoyed her prose and insight.
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Jeanne B. (Albuquerque, NM)
A Bittersweet Read
Heather Harpham's memoir is undeniably written with grace and charm, a joyful celebration of her life's blessings. But I wonder if I'm the only reader who has experienced her story in different and far more tragic circumstances: a sister who had not one but two children with critical illness, a father who left and did not pay child support, years of working a night job, sleeping two hours a day in a hospital chair, grinding financial need and the constant improvisation of family support, and finally losing both children. This experience can't help but inform my reading of Happiness, which I have no doubt will become a bestseller. I rejoice with Heather that her precious daughter lived and her love story had a happy ending. But she seems somewhat oblivious of her privileges in life, financial and otherwise. Reading her memoir felt a bit like listening to a wealthy person exult over winning the lottery.
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Lynn W. (Calabash, NC)
Many kinds of happinesd
When two polar opposites fall in love it is a recipe for confusion if not disaster. Somehow these people muddle through and I, much to my surprise, fell in love with them. How can you not care about people who are willing to put a small sick child ahead of everything. Made me feel good about people in general.
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Penny P. (Santa Barbara, CA)
Happiness
I usually don't read memoirs but this one was very interesting. Very true to life and real. Having a child that your partner didn't want is bad enough but to have that child be ill on top of it must be doubly difficult. I thought Helen was very level headed both about her partner and her little girl. It shows that life often doesn't turn out as we envision yet with a little flexibility and a lot of effort we can get to a good place. I would recommend this to others
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Linda B. (Kingsville, MD)
Happiness: The Crooked Little Road to Semi-Ever After.....
I am not normally a fan of memoirs but this gem was hard to put down! Both comedy and tragedy are combined in a fast-paced read. This book would appeal to parents during their child bearing years, especially those with special needs or fragmented relationships.
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