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A review by klindtvedt
The Bench by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex
5.0
A Quietly Profound and Heartfelt Poem of Parental Love…
I do not normally read and review children’s books; my kids are grown, no grandkids yet in sight. However, after reading review after review of cruel, misguided, vapid, and outright hateful commentary about not only this book, but its author, I felt compelled to provide an assessment based on honesty rather than spite; one based on real reactions rather than vindictive condemnation. So here it goes:
“The Bench” written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is as sweet as it is heartfelt. A quietly profound poem of the love between a father and his son through the lens of a loving mother’s eyes brought to life by the magnificent illustrations of talented artist Christian Robinson. Their combined efforts form a wonderful literary landscape of affection and unadulterated acceptance much needed in the world today.
For those saying this book is not for kids? You would be correct. However you would also be foolish and shortsighted because it is clearly not written to be one. Rather it is meant to be a joint experience, something to be read with your child/children on your lap and be a catalyst for a conversation about family, acceptance, love, and the many different forms such bonds between a father and son can take. It is a foundational life lesson to aid in illustrating what kindness is, what real love looks like, and the many ways a father feels about his son presented in tiny literary nuggets any child can absorb and appreciate in their own unique way. It is far more than a “kid’s book”, it is a conversational love language that introduces concepts such as inclusiveness, equity, and diversity. And I found it just plain beautiful.
I recognize why people are bashing this book, to my eyes it has nothing to do with the book itself but rather their view on who they think the author is. It is a sad reflection on society at large, the social media/tabloid fueled negativity and toxicity that inflames and poisons everything it touches. Very little of it I feel is actually based on real interaction or firsthand knowledge. It’s the product of our modern click-bait world; a world where authenticity is cast out in favor of sensationalism and caricature. A world where individuals who have never met the author feel justified in being her judge, jury, and the executioner of her character because of what they’ve read and in turn think they know. When the reality is, unless you live in her home, partake in her day-to-day life, you don’t know a damn thing.
Another reality, this book is pure of heart and just plain lovely and I for one applaud it…
I do not normally read and review children’s books; my kids are grown, no grandkids yet in sight. However, after reading review after review of cruel, misguided, vapid, and outright hateful commentary about not only this book, but its author, I felt compelled to provide an assessment based on honesty rather than spite; one based on real reactions rather than vindictive condemnation. So here it goes:
“The Bench” written by Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex is as sweet as it is heartfelt. A quietly profound poem of the love between a father and his son through the lens of a loving mother’s eyes brought to life by the magnificent illustrations of talented artist Christian Robinson. Their combined efforts form a wonderful literary landscape of affection and unadulterated acceptance much needed in the world today.
For those saying this book is not for kids? You would be correct. However you would also be foolish and shortsighted because it is clearly not written to be one. Rather it is meant to be a joint experience, something to be read with your child/children on your lap and be a catalyst for a conversation about family, acceptance, love, and the many different forms such bonds between a father and son can take. It is a foundational life lesson to aid in illustrating what kindness is, what real love looks like, and the many ways a father feels about his son presented in tiny literary nuggets any child can absorb and appreciate in their own unique way. It is far more than a “kid’s book”, it is a conversational love language that introduces concepts such as inclusiveness, equity, and diversity. And I found it just plain beautiful.
I recognize why people are bashing this book, to my eyes it has nothing to do with the book itself but rather their view on who they think the author is. It is a sad reflection on society at large, the social media/tabloid fueled negativity and toxicity that inflames and poisons everything it touches. Very little of it I feel is actually based on real interaction or firsthand knowledge. It’s the product of our modern click-bait world; a world where authenticity is cast out in favor of sensationalism and caricature. A world where individuals who have never met the author feel justified in being her judge, jury, and the executioner of her character because of what they’ve read and in turn think they know. When the reality is, unless you live in her home, partake in her day-to-day life, you don’t know a damn thing.
Another reality, this book is pure of heart and just plain lovely and I for one applaud it…