Customer Reviews

. . . and Baby Makes Two: A Novel

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found Ms. Sheehan's use of language quite entertaining. The characters are neatly drawn, vibrant and real. I have recommended it to several friends already. It made me want to go to the florist and get flowers for all the people in my life I love.

This book was amazingly brilliant. Judy Sheehan has a distinct style that makes the dialogue and even the narration read like real life, which, in turn, makes the characters come to life even more fully. Because this is very much a character-driven novel, you are pulled into Jane's struggles and deluged with her life as if you were living it. Sheehan captures the daily life of a single woman living in New York perfectly and more wonderfully describes the adoption process. Personally, I never knew that much about adoption, but after reading this book, I feel as if I was introduced to another world, and coming away from that, I now have a newfound respect for anyone who chooses to adopt. All in all, it's hard to read this book and not be drawn into Jane Howe's struggles, friendships, and bad dates, all of which are described with delightfully witty imagery.

I won't retell the story, there's too many delicious moments to miss this gem of a book. Lovely story, compelling writing, wit, and humor. I couldn't put it down. Perfect gift for a mother-to-be, a single mom, or a new mom.

Almost thirty-seven years old Jane Howe lives the perfect single woman lifestyle in Greenwich Village. Her apartment is the best; her job pays extremely well and she is treated with respect; she has terrific family and friends who are always there for her. Everything seems so right until she steps out of her apartment and sees "The Christ Child" being held perfectly by his mom.

She suddenly has a need for her own child, but even if she could find the right stud that still takes nine months if they score the first time. Unable to move on since the vision, Jane decides her best course is to adopt a baby. To her shock her always been there family objects; worse she finds herself attracted to a man who she considers as a daddy. Still Jane goes through the adoption gauntlet along with other frightened females considering single parenthood until they go to China to meet and bring home their respective children.

AND BABY MAKES TWO is an emotional warm character driven tale that in some ways feels like a biographical fictionalized account of the author's real adoption. Fans feel the ups and downs that drive and frighten Jane especially when her family objects and her time in rural China. Filled with pathos, humor and intelligent insights, this is a powerful and perceptive look at a single person adopting an infant overseas that fans of contemporary tales will want to read.

Harriet Klausner

As someone who just emerged from the 'thinkers' group, I love this book. As other's have mentioned Ms. Sheehan can really turn a phrase. Her character's jump off the page. I loved getting to know Teresa, Ray, Sheila, Peter and Karen, and especially Jane. I saw a little bit of myself in all three ChinaMoms (telling friends, telling family, having a Greta moment!).

I do wish Jane had a little more difficulty chosing a country, but only because that is where I'm stuck right now (China isn't as accepting of Singles anymore).

Anyone considering Single motherhood will love this book. Anyone not considering Single motherhood will love this book.

Here's hoping Ms. Sheehan will honor us with a sequel.

What a funny, insightful author. Jane's story is so well-told; you just root for her from the start. The bonus in this novel is the wonderful chapters later in the book where Jane travels overseas to meet her new baby daughter - the detail and imagery was unforgettable!!

The biological clock is ticking at an ever-faster rate for almost thirty-seven-year-old Jane Howe of Greenwich Village, New York. So when Jane steps out of her apartment one day and sees the beautiful "Christ Child," her biological clock shifts into overdrive.

Jane identified the emptiness she feels. She has a nice apartment, a good job, and friends. What she doesn't have is a child; or a father for the child. Her true love, Sam died six years earlier and there have only been dates since then. So how does one have a baby without a man? Jane explores her options, while she dances around the typical family dysfunctions the world experiences if they have a family. And she meets a man just as she has decided on adopting a little girl from China.

And Baby Makes Two by Judy Sheehan is the tale of a woman who thought she couldn't be a parent, but underrated herself. Jane also found a man who wanted to be a boyfriend but couldn't be because he was still unhappily married to someone else. Then there is the sister who eloped and became dead to the family, but works at returning to the family while helping Jane with "life." And Jane's newly widowed father couldn't understand his daughter's choices but learned how to accept.

And Baby Makes Two is the warm, poignant, humorous adventure of a woman who wanted a child--and despite the lack of a man, made a family through adoption. It was new territory and she was fearful but she reached deep within herself, faced her fears and grew up and into a mommy. It is a happily ever after story.

As an adoptive mother of four Asian born children, I say this is a book long overdue for the bookshelves.


Armchair Interviews says: And Baby Makes Two is a fast, fun read but also will help women who want a child but didn't know about all the options.

A single New York woman in her late 30s thinks about having a child, and decides to adopt a girl from China... Her life is never the same again.

Her gay best friend provides comic relief, her (unfortunately married) dream guy provides heartache, her Irish-American parents give unsolicited advice, Jane is surrounded by stock characters with a twist. Then she meets other single women who have decided that adoption is for them and together, they start the most unpredictable and transforming journey of their lives.

I loved this book, can't wait for the next one (WOMEN IN HATS) from this writer!

I loved this book. It was the first novel that I actually underlined a few things that made me laugh and cry.

I found this to be a well, written story of a modern woman deciding what to do with her life and despite not having a husband or really even a man, trying to figure out if the baby thing was right for her.

Ms. Sheehan delivers the goods -- this tale captures New York City and the webs of friendships and other networks that keep strong single people like her protagonist afloat in the tricky tides of Gotham. Read this whether or not you're thinking of single parenting -- read it for the humor, the reflections on family and the joy of finding a first time novelist who really has an ear for the language.