Customer Reviews

Chasing Away the Shadows: An Adoptee's Journey to Motherhood

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A vivid and entertaining story of one determined young woman's quest to find her unique place in the world. Adopted as an infant by well-to-do parents in a London suburb, Zara Phillips felt wracked with a sense of displacement she couldn't explain -- an inner turmoil at odds with her developing persona as a cool rock singer. In secret, she decided that she must discover her truth of her identity. The cost, as turned out, would be great. Phillips takes the reader along for the whole rich ride, through rage and drugs and tours and men to the hard-earned happiness of motherhood and marriage in a home unquestionably her own. Even readers who weren't adopted will understand Phillips's driving need to uncover the truth. In direct, spare language, she unerringly locates the universal pulse beneath her personal spiritual journey. "Chasing Away the Shadows" delivers information, including a solid resource guide for adoptees and parents. But Phillips writes like a novelist. Her suspenseful search for her birth parents keeps the pages turning. And amid the drama, she lets the laughter through. One highlight: Phillips's son telling workmen that his mum is like Superman. Why? "Because she's adopted!" he says. "Chasing Away the Shadows" is a super book. Whether you're adopted or just plain human, don't miss it.

This personal testimony is definitely worth a read for anyone whose life has been touched by adoption in any way. In simple language and with an engaging writing style, the author, Zara, tells her own story, with frankness and simplicity. In doing so, she educates us about the some of the complex feelings of adoption - feelings that, for many people and for many years, have never been acknowledged.

I `happened' across this book - 6 years into my own reunion with the daughter I lost to adoption in 1968 - and have been very moved by the open and honest way Zara talks of her own experiences and feelings about being adopted, many of which echo things I know for myself or have heard from others. Unlike many of the books out there that deal with adoption, she makes no judgements on what others should do or feel - this is simply her own story - a very personal account of how adoption has affected her life.

Though Zara has chosen to write about her journey to motherhood, I think there is much to be learned from her story outside of that. The book has helped me to understand my daughter better and from the comments I've had back from her and others affected by adoption to whom I've given copies of the book, it seems to bring new level of validations and enlightenment about the whole adoption experience.

Whether adoption is part of your life or not, you truly will not want to miss out on this newest adoption book, "Chasing Away the Shadows - An Adoptee's Journey to Motherhood," by Zara Phillips.

Zara and I had corresponded for a couple of months before I had the privilege of meeting her at November's CUB retreat in Monterey, CA. In this writer's opinion, Zara is articulate, smart, and very well spoken, possessing all the qualities needed to be a successfull writer/speaker.

Having had the opportunity to be the first test-reader for Zara's manuscript, I knew then, when I simply could not put it down it was going to be a great book - a must read, in fact. It is an honest and compelling account of the struggles one encounters in living the life of an adoptee.

Zara was born (1964) and raised in England. I so enjoyed reading and "hearing" her lovely English accent gently carressing the words upon the pages of her story, as only a "Proper English" lady can do. Zara's willingness to share the story of her troubled past so honestly and openly is a tribute to her fine, upstanding character. This outstanding book is most certainly worth the read.

To learn more about Zara, please go to her website - [...]

This was by far one of the best adoption related books I've read. Zara Phillips did a wonderful job sharing her personal story & feelings about being an adoptee. I could see myself in so many aspects of her life from the beginning of life to becoming a mother. This book should be read by ALL members of the triad. It was worth more than 5 stars in my eyes. GREAT BOOK, easy read.

A must read for any aodoptee who is a parent or is considering parenting. Enough said!