Unexpected Lessons From Professor Higgins

· Two Octaves Publishing · Narrated by Patti Smith and Tara Janae Smith
4.0
1 review
Audiobook
7 hr 33 min
Unabridged
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About this audiobook

You will laugh and cry when you read how Patti Smith lovingly and honestly reveals transformative lessons gleaned from forty-plus years of caring for (and being tutored by) her son, Christopher. His diagnosis as a baby with Down Syndrome at first tilted her world off-axis, only to reveal itself to be the thing that actually set her worldview at the exact right angle.

In an inspirational and heartwarming manner, Patti explains how her life was changed for the better in profound ways.

With her son as her master teacher, Patti learned to see life through his perspective and discover the joy in situations requiring her to dig deeply into her own psyche to identify beliefs needing adjustment. She shares the way she changes with vulnerability and light-heartedness, while giving credit to her clever son who is respectfully referred to as her own Professor Higgins.

This book is not just a book about how to raise a child with Down Syndrome, but an inspiring and humorous reflection of parenting and relationships in general.


Awarded the Olive Woolley Burt Award for Creative Writing in the New Voices category.


What readers are saying:

"This book changed the way I want to parent!” - Ryan H.

“An incredible book, I laughed, I cried, I couldn't put it down!” -Julie L.

“I loved this book so much I purchased extra for friends and family to read.” -Chante M.

"A wonderful self-help book disguised as a memoir." - S.B.

Ratings and reviews

4.0
1 review
Lorena Dinger
July 14, 2025
I appreciated the chance to learn more about Down Syndrome, but mostly, this is about Patti Smith’s relationship with her children & how she changed & grew thanks to various experiences raising her children. The stories are focused on her son Chris, who was born with Down Syndrome. The author is very honest about her mistakes & misjudgments & how she overcame them. Many of the stories were both touching & humorous. The audiobook production was good, & Tara Janae Smith's narration was excellent.
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