Review: Claudia L. Moreno Michael V. Angrosino (1998). Opportunity House: Ethnographic Stories of Mental Retardation. London, United Kingdom: AltaMira, 287 pages, ISBN 0-7619-8917-X (Paper) $26.95, 0-7619-8916-1 (Cloth) $69.- Abstract: This book summarizes ANGROSINO's participant observation of two decades of research and community service in a community house for individuals with mental retardation. The introduction provides a mirror of teaching oral history, participant observation and cultural narratives to students. In the following chapters the stories are organized by themes that present the lives, re- alities and daily-life experiences of individuals with mental retardation. The author contributes to the understanding of individuals with mental retardation from an insider and outsider perspectives in an attempt and to understand their humanity, feelings, and tribulations. The book gives voice to a population that has been silenced providing creative fiction that tells a story and protects the iden- tity of those who want to be heard, the mentally retarded. Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2. Reflective Ethnography 3. The World of Mental Retardation 4. Creative Fiction References Author Citation 1. Introduction Michael ANGROSINO describes his book, Opportunity House, as an "opportunity of service." The author weaves a wonderful narrative, ushering readers into the world of individuals with mental retardation, giving voice, character, personality and a day-to-day context of being a person with mental retardation. ANGROSINO not only provides the context for mental retardation, but also presents a world of mental retardation from the perspective of afflicted individuals. The narratives reveal the humanity of his characters and their daily activities, tribulations, feelings and perspectives. This is one of the few books in which people with mental retardation are presented as what they are: human beings. [1] © 2002 FQS http://www.qualitative-research.net/fqs/ Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung / Forum: Qualitative Social Research (ISSN 1438-5627) Volume 3, No. 4, Art. 14 November 2002 Key words: mental retardation, reflective ethno- graphy, developmental disabilities, creative fiction FORUM: QUALITATIVE SOCIAL RESEARCH SOZIALFORSCHUNG