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My Dyslexia Audiobook
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(3.12) - 161 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
An inspiring memoir of a Pulitzer Prize winner’s triumph over disability
Despite being a winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2008, Philip Schultz could never shake the feeling of being exiled to the “dummy class” in school, where he was largely ignored by his teachers and peers and not expected to succeed. Not until many years later, when his oldest son was diagnosed with dyslexia, did Schultz realize that he suffered from the same condition.
In this moving memoir, Schultz traces his difficult childhood and his new understanding of his early years. In doing so, he shows how a boy who did not learn to read until he was eleven went on to become a prizewinning poet by sheer force of determination. His balancing act—life as a member of a family with not one but two dyslexics, countered by his intellectual and creative successes as a writer—reveals an inspiring story of the strengths of the human mind.
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"Philip Schultz is telling me what it's like to be one of the students I tutor. He was a terrible student, often in trouble in school. He couldn't read. No one thought he'd end up a poet -- let alone a Pulitzer Prize winner. He'd been led to think of his predicament as a mix of stupidity and cussedness, with a tinge of insanity. I've always been the opposite -- what my mom called a "bookworm." I naturally turned to writing and then teaching. People like me are often reading teachers, and we can't get inside the skin of people like Schultz. But he found the name for his predicament -- dyslexia -- not long ago. When he decided to start this book he got depressed. Dyslexia had woven itself into his life in deep and painful ways. Reading still gives him pain. But words give him pleasure. I am glad he finally wrote about how this can be."
— Kathleen (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Touching…Schultz paints a precise and compelling picture of how his brain works, how he sees himself, and how he thinks others have seen him throughout his life…From its impact on family members, to difficulties in school that may or may not be resolved with diagnosis, to its effect on social interactions and relationships, Schultz describes how dyslexia touches all areas of life. His affecting prose will inspire compassion and leave readers with an understanding not only of dyslexia but of the lifelong challenges that someone with disabilities may face.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“William Hughes keeps the narration upbeat…Inspiration to anyone dealing with personal crisis.”
— AudioFile -
“More than once [Schultz] says that a special cruelty of dyslexia is that those suffering it lose patience with themselves and come to consider themselves inferior to normal people. This is the failure that dogs him as persona of his poems and subject of this book, a worthy peer of Daniel Tammet’s eloquent record of his autism, Born on a Blue Day.”
— Booklist -
“In a memoir as brief as a poem, Schultz reflects on his dyslexia, a lifelong disability that was not diagnosed until late into his adulthood…Under the rubric of ‘inspirationally instructive,’ Schultz offers a compact book. Yet, writing with a focused mind, he dilates at length on the struggle within that mind.”
— Kirkus Reviews
My Dyslexia Listener Reviews
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" Great short book by Phil that is easy to connect with even if you have not suffered from dyslexia or another learning disability. "
— Mark, 2/8/2014 -
" This is an interesting look into the life of a dyslexic. Philip Schultz talks about his life as he was growing up as a child with an undiagnosed learning disability. He described how it felt to be bullied and made fun of by other students because of his inability to learn to read. And he described his determination to learn to cope and overcome his dyslexia. It was interesting to me to learn that how much more there is to dyslexia besides difficulty reading such as difficulty telling time on an anaolog clock, doing math, or following directions. As a mother of a dyslexic child I found it interesting viewing life from this perspective. It definitely gives a glimpse into their view of life and the difficulties they have to deal with. I would recommend this book for anyone that has a loved one with a learning disability. "
— Flora, 2/7/2014 -
" I love to read success stories of people who struggle with learning differences. This story made me more aware of the struggles and frustrations my students may experience. "
— Megan, 1/21/2014 -
" A very interesting book. There are so many learning disorders found in so many stages these days. It makes one realize how important it is to recognize and be sympathetic with such people, their needs and particularly their potential. We probably all have some shortcomings in the learning department. I am glad to know that most schools today are not as blind to the issue and to the bullying as in Schultz's day. That was almost unbelievable. Where I went to school in the 40's and 50's it was unusual to see such extreme conduct by the children. And it wasn't tolerated by teachers. Thank Goodness! I have witnessed the active role teachers and parents are taking today in helping and encouraging their children to learn at their own pace without being ashamed. And isn't it good to see the zero tolerance for bullying now! (We do still have a ways to go with the bully.) His story really exemplifies the high pinnacles one can reach even when dealt such less-than-desirable abilities. And it shows again what a wonder the brain is and how it can compensate and overcome so many problems. A very encouraging book. The language in Philip Schultz's poetry was more than my little brain could keep up with. He is amazing. I am going to look for a book that goes into the actual mechanics and manifestations of dyslexia from the sufferer's point of view, though. I wish Schultz could have explained that a bit more. He did some, but dwelt more on the social problems he experienced. "
— Jane, 1/17/2014 -
" Interesting insights into how dyslexia can affect a boy growing up. Inspiration to see that even with this learning disability and the challenges it created, it is possible to become a Pulitzer Prize winner for poetry. "
— Susan, 1/1/2014 -
" This is a book I recommend all my teacher friends read. It gives you an understanding about the challenges that students face who have dyslexia written from the eyes of someone who is living it each day. Very good book!!! "
— Diana, 12/30/2013 -
" It was interesting but short. "
— Vivian, 12/28/2013 -
" I've had almost nil contact with dyslexics so I was hoping for more of an interior introspective perspective on how Schultz's brain works, and how that's different from how mine (non-dyslexic) works. It's a good spare account of his progress from bullied demeaned kid to respected poet, though. "
— C.interruptus, 11/14/2013 -
" This little powerful book touched my soul. As the wife and mom of dyslexics, I cried -- but it also brought new insight and compassion. Thank god we are larking about acceptance and new methods -- but mostly how important it is to see and value the divine in each person "
— Jill, 6/26/2013 -
" Moving story told in episodes and anecdotes. Lovely to read. His poet's gift for language and craft rises from the page. "
— Heather, 4/14/2013 -
" This was so insightful and a necessary read for anyone who interacts with dyslexics. "
— Kelly, 1/5/2013 -
" great book! i like how he wrote as an adult. Complete with adult language and vocabulary. "
— Molly, 1/1/2013 -
" Such an incredible story. It was very heart-warming and had a very interesting insight into the mind and hearts of dyslexics. You know a book is well-written when it makes you shed a few tears. If I could erase the story from my memory, and reread it as if it were new, I would do it. "
— Erin, 11/19/2012 -
" Insightful and warmly written. Would have preferred more examples of how the author overcame hurdles at different stages.... middle school, social, high school. "
— Natalie, 7/3/2012 -
" A superb collection of poems. Highly recommended. "
— Adele, 6/20/2012 -
" This is an interesting recollection of memories of an adult struggling with dyslexia and his recollections of childhood school struggles. The book touches the topic of bullying and perseverance of a young man to do what is the most difficult for him, to be a writer and a poet. "
— Mg, 6/8/2012 -
" A quiet and thoughtful meditation on being dyslexic. Gave me pause. He includes some of his poetry and it will make you want pick up more of his writing. "
— Meg, 4/1/2012
About Philip Schultz
Philip Schultz is the author of several collections of poetry, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Failure. He is the founder and director of the Writers Studio and lives in East Hampton, New York, with his wife and two sons.
About William Hughes
William Hughes is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. A professor of political science at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, he received his doctorate in American politics from the University of California at Davis. He has done voice-over work for radio and film and is also an accomplished jazz guitarist.