Description
Book SynopsisCalling on a decade of participant observation at a residence for mentally retarded adults, anthropologist Michael V. Angrosino''s riveting and de-mystifying account offers an insider''s picture of the lives of the inhabitants of Opportunity House. Using the narrative device of a dozen fictional short stories told in the voices of various community members as well as that of the researcher, Angrosino weaves a life-histories approach to ethnography together with an innovative culture concept to tackle the complexities of representing marginalized subgroups. As opposed to traditional clinical or statistical studies, which have insufficiently conveyed the subjective and experiential perspectives of retarded people themselves, Angrosino presents an intimate and complex picture of a highly functioning community with its cast of entrepreneurs, bullies, victims, and do-gooders. This wonderfully readable and captivating account is therefore an important resource for those interested in mental illness and disability, as well as a model for those experimenting with forms of ethnographic writing.
Trade ReviewThis is one of the few books in which people with mental retardation are presented as what they are: human beings....[Angrosino] not only presents the objective, but also the shared subjectivity of his experience and the recollection of the voices of individuals with mental retardation, recreating the stories in a "creative fiction" mode in order to protect the identity of his participants. The book is worth reading for those who want to understand the world of mental retardation and in doing so confront their own humanity face to face. -- Claudia L. Moreno, School of Social Work, Columbia Univ * Forum: Qualitative Social Research, Vol 3.4, November 2002 *
Opportunity House is a collection of fictionalized stories about individuals who are classified as mentally retarded, written by an anthropologist who has conducted research and community service in a home for retarded adults in Florida. Angrosino is especially interested in the deinstitutionalization of the chronically mentally ill and their interactions in the wider society. His book is one of a series stressing experimental forms of qualitative writing that blur the boundaries between social science and the humanities. Because of the fictional quality of the stories, the volume is accessible to a wider readership than is usual for anthropological and ethnographic writing. Interspersed with the stories are helpful interviews with the author in which he explains his methods, insights, and perspectives. -- L. Beck, (Washington University) * CHOICE *
Table of Contentschapter 1 Acknowledgments chapter 2 Foreword by James Peacock chapter 3 Preface chapter 4 Introduction: Fellow Traveler chapter 5 Part I: The Lay of the Land chapter 6 1. The Ghost of Dallas Lumbley chapter 7 Part II: Making a Living chapter 8 1. Any Port in a Storm chapter 9 2. The Left Stuff chapter 10 3. On Target Enterprises chapter 11 4. Midnight at the Budget Inn chapter 12 Interlude: I Take Pen in Hand chapter 13 Part III: Relationships chapter 14 1. Where the Heart Is chapter 15 2. A Little Bit of Warm chapter 16 3. The Chadster Steps Out chapter 17 4. Days of Sunshine, Days of Rain chapter 18 5.Perfect Pals chapter 19 Interlude: Fit to Print chapter 20 Part IV: 1. The Boys in the Van chapter 21 2. How Sweet the Sound chapter 22 3. The Lonesome Trucker chapter 23 4. By the Chimney with Care chapter 24 Conclusion: All Told chapter 25 Coda: Til It's Over chapter 26 Acknowledgments chapter 27 Foreword chapter 28 Preface chapter 29 Introduction: Fellow Traveler chapter 30 Part I: The Lay of the Land chapter 31 1. The Ghost of Dallas Lumbley chapter 32 Part II: Making a Living chapter 33 1. Any Port in a Storm chapter 34 2. The Left Stuff chapter 35 3. On Target Enterprises chapter 36 4. Midnight at the Budget Inn chapter 37 Interlude: I Take Pen in Hand chapter 38 Part III: Relationships chapter 39 1. Where the Heart Is chapter 40 2. A Little Bit of Warm chapter 41 3. The Chadster Steps Out chapter 42 4. Days of Sunshine, Days of Rain chapter 43 5.Perfect Pals chapter 44 Interlude: Fit to Print chapter 45 Part IV: 1. The Boys in the Van chapter 46 2. How Sweet the Sound chapter 47 3. The Lonesome Trucker chapter 48 4. By the Chimney with Care chapter 49 Conclusion: All Told chapter 50 Coda: Til It's Over
