Book Review

Noah’s Rainbow: A Father’s Emotional Journey from the Death of His Son to the Birth of His Daughter
by David Fleming
Baywood Publishing Company, 2006
$39.95
Review by Tracey Holyfield
♥♥♥♥ (The price is a little steep.)

I originally ordered this book in hopes that my husband would read it and give me his feedback for a review. Though he is not a big reader, I figured he might be willing to do me this favor since the book was written from a male perspective and that perspective happened to be David Fleming’s, a senior writer for ESPN The Magazine. It’s a good thing however, that I decided to read the book before giving it to him. It’s not as if the book is poorly written or contains more of the same, as many bereavement books do. Rather, Noah’s Rainbow is a compelling portrayal of Fleming’s thoughts and emotions after losing his son Noah due to a placenta abruption during his wife’s labor and their ensuing subsequent pregnancy. His raw honesty is both unnerving and exciting in a genre that does little to directly address the true depth of emotions experienced by bereaved parents. Yet, bereaved parents may find themselves relating to Fleming’s hurt and pain in ways that go beyond empathy. For this reason, readers may find themselves wanting to put the book down. (This would quite likely be my husband’s reaction.) But for those who can get beyond these feelings, there is much validation and encouragement from Fleming’s no holds barred accounting of his struggle to face his grief head-on and to live each day in a way that honors his son. I think I will ask my husband to read it after all.