Breaking the Word Barrier
Stories of Adults Learning to Read
By: Marilyn Lerch, Angela Ranson (Editors)
Published: September 25, 2009
Format: Paperback, 130 pages
ISBN-13: 9780864925473
Publisher: Goose Lane Editions
"Reading is magic for it transforms the world around us, and yes, it can also grant wishes", writes Lieutenant-Governor of the former Province of New Brunswick, Herménégilde Chiasson in the introduction to the powerful and inspirational book Breaking the Word Barrier: Stories of Adults Learning to Read, edited by Marilyn Lerch and Angela Ranson. This collection of intimate first-person narratives shares the stories of adults who showed the courage and determination to learn how read. Each individual is paired with a writer as they tell their often touching stories of attaining literacy.
Marilyn Lerch and Angela Ranson present a series of heartwarming stories of people who were faced by what amounted to an almost insurmountable wall. This invisible barrier was a line they could not cross, as they were unable to read to scale its heights. Through hard work and personal determination, adults who were unable to read to their children, fill in an employment application, or complete a written test, were able to fulfill their dream of literacy. As the stories tell so eloquently, entirely new and previously almost unknown worlds were opened up to the newly literate adults. Better employment opportunities, joyous moments with their children, and new found respect from others and of themselves.
As editors, Marilyn Lerch (photo left) and Angela Ranson also include the harsh realities that face people unable to read in a literate society. The people who share their stories in these essays often faced class discrimination, difficulties in school, problems with money, and bleak employment possibilities. At the same time, they felt shame that perhaps they had failed, and that they were somehow inferior to others. In these inspirational stories, those walls are brought tumbling down as new readers discover their inner strength and courage, and overcome the challenge of literacy. Their deeply personal, and often very touching remembering of the past, and its contrast to their literate present, is very moving.
For me, the power of the book is how the stories collected by the editors Marilyn Lerch and Angela Ranson, and presented by the writer paired with the new reader, have such an immediacy and powerful impact. The personal nature of the stories, shared by the individuals involved, draw a person into their lives, and celebrate their achievement with them. The narratives are not condescending. Indeed, they show the courage and deep conviction of the contributors as they overcome the literacy barrier, after being exclude from the reading world for their entire lives. The heroic action of a person, to accept such a monumental challenge as an adult and succeed, is an inspiration to everyone. No obstacle is too great if a person puts forth their heart and soul to reach success.
I highly recommend the uplifting and often poignant book Breaking the Word Barrier: Stories of Adults Learning to Read, edited by Marilyn Lerch and Angela Ranson, to anyone seeking inspiration to overcome the odds and succeed at whatever they choose to do in their lives. The contributors to this anthology, who had the conviction and desire to learn to read, demonstrate that no challenge is too great to meet and win.
Read the stories of changed lives in Breaking the Word Barrier: Stories of Adults Learning to Read, edited by Marilyn Lerch and Angela Ranson, and share in the triumphs of everyday people over adversity. Many of us take being able to read for granted. These brave individuals demonstrate that such is not always the case in our society. They also show us that even the most difficult barriers can be broken through, and light can be brought into any life.
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