I received an advance copy of the book, and I’ll admit that before reading The Adoption Paradox, I hadn’t given adoption much thought beyond the simplistic “isn’t this great” fairytale. Jean’s book challenges that narrative with depth, nuance, and historical context, revealing the complexities of adoption in a clear, balanced, and compassionate way.
She illuminates how the adoption system doesn’t always work as intended and how its historical legacy continues to shape the modern-day psyche. Even in the best of circumstances, with well-meaning parents, adoptees can face external messaging and internal beliefs that complicate their sense of self—within their families and in the world. This book holds multiple truths at once, making it an insightful and necessary read for anyone looking to truly understand the adoption experience.
-JH
