I received an advanced copy and purchased from the author’s website. The author, Jean Kelly Widner, has written a poignant and compassionate review of adoption. As someone who reads a number of books in the adoption genre, this book stood out to me because of the way the author brought together all the facets of adoption (it’s more than a triad!!!), and weaved them together for a holistic view of the subject.
As an adoptee, this is the book I wish I’d had on my own self discovery search and eventual reunion. I needed this book to help guide me through the issues I experienced growing up as a transracial adoptee (Black child, white adoptive family). So many adoption books have missed the mark when it comes to this aspect of adoption, and I appreciated the author’s attention to detail in this area.
Reunion is also a difficult subject to write about because everyone assumes a fairytale ending. Not everyone gets that and this author gives perspective for those of us who didn’t necessarily find what we were looking for at the end of our search. I felt seen by the book and that is something that meant a lot to me.
I recommend the book especially to anyone touched by adoption. It truly is a paradox: some good, some bad, some happy, some sad, but all an important journey for finding oneself. Adoption is often about love, but also heartbreak. It’s often about creating a family, while denying another. There are so many levels and angles to adoption that go beyond “finding a good home” and Jean Kelly Widner brings it all together in this heartfelt, honest account.
-teemcee
