An Anthology of Disability Literature

This striking anthology includes works by Leo Tolstoy, Sylvia Plath, Edgar Allan Poe, John Hockenberry, Michael J. Fox, Charlotte Bronte, Harriet McBryde Johnson, Franz Kafka, Annie Dillard, Temple Grandin, Cris Matthews, Georgina Kleege, H.G. Wells, Rachel Simon, Charlotte Perkins Gilman, Jhumpa Lahiri, Helen Keller, Ursula Le Guin, Alexander McCall Smith, and others. The selections, both fiction and non-fiction, ranging from classics to modern favorites, contemplate a variety of disabilities — physical impairments, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities — and provide viewpoints from self-advocates, family, and friends. Expressing optimism, anger, love, hope, angst, drama, and realism, the readings and accompanying discussion questions provoke reflection about tolerance, community living, family dynamics, and disability rights.

"…I thoroughly enjoyed reading this anthology and cannot recommend it more highly. I re-read several of the pieces multiple times and have already eagerly suggested it to several people I know. This would be an excellent text in history, literature, law, social policy and health-related classes and I can also envision it sparking lively discussions for reading groups. Anyone interested in disability issues should absolutely include this anthology on their reading list, as should anyone simply interested in an informative and thought-provoking good read." — Disability Rights Galaxy, Shannon Sommer