Review: “The Littlest Angel” by Heidi Chandler
Heidi Chandler is a high school journalism teacher who emailed us a few months ago about reviewing her memoir, The Littlest Angel. After reading the information in her email I knew it was one for me. Read the synopsis from its Goodreads page below:
“Two weeks before her due date, my unborn daughter unexpectedly died. After the shock wore off, I found myself in the depths of depression, questioning my worth as a mother, wife, and human being. This deepy personal story of love, loss, and redemption follows my quest to find normal after being blindsided by death, and proves that it is possible to live, love, and smile again.”
Being a mother is an experience unlike any other. I know non-parents out there may roll their eyes as they imagine their annoying co-workers who don’t shut up over the stories and pictures of their kids but it’s true: you learn more about the depths of love from being a parent more than any other relationship.
This is why I knew I needed to read Ms. Chandler’s book, I felt I’d be able to understand her pain more than a non-parent. I’ve never been in the heartbreaking situation of a stillbirth but I know what it’s like to love a child from the moment you lay eyes on him or her.
I was honestly a little wary of a self-published memoir at first. Some indie authors don’t go through a formal editing process so I was worried it would read like a long-winded journal entry. This is not the case! Her book is a memoir in all respects: introspective, balanced, speculative, and thoughtful.
Although this is a story many people don’t want to hear about it because it’s truly tragic in all definitions of the word I would still recommend it. Just like I felt with The Fault in our Stars, I think I learned a new awareness for those in these tough situations. What to say, what not to say, what comes off as awkward and rude even from well-meaning lips. I would especially recommend this book to anyone who may frequently come into contact with those who parents who lose their babies like this, like nurses and doctors and funeral home workers. But really for anyone, her story can be a sister’s, friend’s or yours, as hard as it is to think of it. Read Ms. Chandler’s book for a heartfelt and eye-opening experience in what loss and tragedy really mean.
You can buy her book on Amazon here, Barnes & Noble here, and her Facebook page is here.
Do you have anyone you would recommend this book to? Even though it’s a tough subject does it sound like something you would read?
