Customer Reviews

Fumbling Toward Divinity: The Adoption Scriptures

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

That Craig Hickman is a very bright man, well schooled, a fine investigator, and a man with a mission is obvious from the moment you open this excellent book. Given his credentials as a performance artist, poet, cultural activist and author it is apparent he has the courage and conviction to write this book about the agonies, frustrations, and of course the joys of adoption, of gay relationships, of the search for identity when that identity is locked away with unknown birth parents. The crown of this input is that this book is actually a memoir, a shared body of information that required more diligence and investigation than the toughest of PhD dissertations.

For this reviewer Hickman's FUMBLING TOWARD DIVINITY: THE ADOPTION SCRIPTURES is uneven. The first portion of this memoir is inundated with names, histories, paths, and intricacies that make the reading a bit tedious. Yes, it is written well, the language works, but it is the placement of the narrator in the third person (a time honored if beleaguered tradition of writing memoirs) that subtracts the immediacy of the information to the story - and it is the story here presented that is the fascinating aspect of this book.

Once Hickman connects with all aspects of his families (birth, adopted, partner's family) then the grace of the writing is secure, the development of the avenues of the journey become warmly fascinating, and the book jumps into the welcome arena of entertainment. I'm not sure if the substance of the book could have been altered in any way to make the entire volume as interesting as the latter half, but to the casual reader of literature (not those with whom ready identification with any of the multifaceted aspects of the author invite identification) the telling gets a bit trying at times.

Hickman's prose is up with the best of writers. If he occasionally calls attention to scripture-like verbiage, if key thoughts are repeated every other sentence for effect, if information is revisited a bit too often, then that is a style that Hickman may be in the course of developing. Future books (and it would seem there WILL be future books) will finesse some of these sidebar distractions.

There is every reason to believe that Hickman may evolve into another James Baldwin (a personal favorite author of mine), but it will take some forays into fiction to test those waters thoroughly. So why only 4 stars for this book? It is out of optimism that Craig Hickman has more to say and more talent with which to say it. I think he is a fine writer and certainly is deserving of our attention. The 5 stars seem destined to come. Grady Harp, April 05

I could not put this book down. I agree with the other reviewers on this page. This book is absolutely beautiful. Hickman's relationships with his husband, with his sisters, his parents, his birth family--all of them are exquisitely written. You can feel the pain the joy the sadness the triumph the love. Even though it is ostensibly a book about family and adoption and reunion, this book provides the best argument for gay marriage that I've ever read.

Everyone must read this book. I recommend it to people of all religious backgrounds, especially those are the far right who insist upon denying equal rights in marriage to all people.

I've taken a while to read this wonderful book, because it's so filled with complex human emotions that I needed time to breathe and think after a few chapters of its combination of lyrical prose and dynamic storytelling. The author's story resonates with anyone for whom the past is a haunting mystery containing longed for answers to essential questions about identity, love, sacrifice and survival. Anyone passionate about James Baldwin will hear echoes of the man's style, language and profoundly brave intelligence in Hickman's work. I felt lucky to have found this book.

Imagine growing up not knowing who your real parents are. Would you wonder who you resemble in the family tree? Could you deal with being ignorant to your family's medical history? And most importantly, would you wonder where you belong? In a new book from Craig Hickman, the author takes readers on his journey of discovering his true roots.

In the new memoir "Fumbling Toward Divinity" from Harvard graduate Craig Hickman (Rituals), the author takes readers into his journey of the search for his biological parents. Along the way, we learn of the African American writer's homosexual lifestyle that includes a marriage to his Caucasian partner. The apprehensive author not only worries about finding his biological family but if they will accept his alternative lifestyle.

As the story unfolds, readers are right there with Hickman as he researches his roots in libraries, government buildings, and online and treks along U.S. highways with help from his adoptive family, his husband Job, and his newly discovered Uncle James. By the time he meets his religious, biological mother in Georgia, readers will come to know him and cheer him on as he takes on the task of finding and getting to know his real family.

"Fumbling Toward Divinity" is a well-written and unique book. Written in third-person format, Hickman meshes a poetic, scriptural-like, and a journal-like writing style that is quite interesting to read. Many readers will feel a kinship with the author as he shares his trials, triumphs, pain, and joy of self-discovery. However, the meticulously written memoir, which almost reads like a diary, is so detailed that it may turn off readers who do not know him intimately. "Fumbling Toward Divinity" is still well worth the effort and will be received with open arms.

Emanuel Carpenter
[...]

This book is an awesome read! I could feel Craig Hickman's passion and emotions. His voice really came through because of his mixture of dialogue and precise detail of people and places. His word choice was fabulous! I loved the pearls of wisdom, quotes, and insights that he included. Upon reading Fumbling Toward Divinity, readers should begin a journey of self-reflection that leads to healing and/or growth. This book is a must read for those who, in some way, have gone (or are planning to go) through the adoption process, who are struggling with self-identity and/or self-worth, and/or are having problems with family relationships. While this book is a record of Mr. Hickman's life, it is so powerful that it can serve as a therapeutic tool as well. Fumbling Toward Divinity can help many people reflect, reevaluate, regroup, refocus, heal, and grow.

Fumbling Toward Divinity by Craig Hickman is a wonderful read. Not only does Craig share the raw emotions surrounding adoptees searching for and finding their birth families, but he also shares the real issues faced by gay people and their families. His honesty and beautiful writing touches on many themes. One can only grow in insight and understanding by reading this book. Joining Craig on his journey is an adventure surrounded by pain and love.

I just finished reading FUMBLING TOWARD DIVINITY by Craig Hickman and found it to be a wonderful read. It is a memoir, yet it is written with the power and drive of a novel, filled with characters the reader comes to love or dislike as the facts (story) unfold. I was touched by the story of an adopted man's search for his genetic identity and the affirmation of his true self and his adoptive and chosen family's influence. The moments of discovery described by the author are filled with the beauty, pathos and challenge of a life well lived. Craig Hickman is a wonderfully memorable writer, full of goodness and a true example of God's glory. The "Lamentations of Craig" and "The Book of Songs" are pure poetry, full of strength and wisdom and stand alone as worth the read.

All I really have to way is WOW! The cover says "A Great Book" and it doesn't lie. I'm an adult adoptee who just happened to stumble upon this gem. I thought the title alone was worth my money, so I bought it. I had never heard of Craig Hickman before, but after this, I hope many people take notice of this great and talented author. I'm a fan of James Baldwin and it felt like I was reading "Another Country" or "Giovanni's Room." Hickman takes you on a wonderful journey (it seems like everyone in the book is on a journey somewhere) that is at times funny, painful, sad, ugly, but ultimately beautiful. Even though it's a true story, it reads like a novel. (It helps that Hickman chose to tell most of the story in the third person.) The writing is at times lyrical, biblical, and the poetry was phenomenal. And the letters! I won't spoil anything here, but the letters Hickman writes to his family members are brilliant. At first I was put off, and then I realized that letter writing is one of the most non-confrontational forms of communication a person can use to express difficult feelings. This book is not just for the adoption community. It speaks to all of humanity. The insights and wisdom found in these pages is like a wake up call for everyone. I couldn't put it down, and I know I'm going to read it again. I highly recommend this book. It is a truly divine read.

Craig Hickman, an adopted child, decides he wants to know who his birth parents are. After a long and arduous search, Craig locates his mother Jennifer who was forced by her mother to give him up at birth. Craig discovers that he has twin sisters, aunts, uncles and a grandmother who rules the clan. At various functions, the adopted family, the birth family and Craig's husband, get together to learn more about each other.

Mr. Hickman has written a stunning memoir about what it means to be an adopted child searching for his roots. He uses many styles of writing to help us not only understand his feelings, but to be there with him. In one chapter, when he has finally discovered his birth family and is going to contact them, he uses stream of consciousness very effectively so that his angst, fear and happiness shine through as his thoughts meld onto the page. Poignant poetry is another method used by Mr. Hickman to bring readers into his world. Letters written to his new family also give us an inside track to his real thoughts and feeling.

While discovering his roots is the main thesis of the book, Craig also covers many other subjects such as homosexuality, marital issues, problems with in-laws and family love, as well as family discord. It is a book well worth reading more than once.

Reviewed by alice Holman
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers

This is one of the very best books that I have ever read. I had the pleasure of reading some of the manuscript before Fumbling Toward Divinity went to print. I knew then what I know now, this book is mind blowing. Craig Hickman can write circles around the best. I love it when a writer can conjour up all kinds of spirits, get my heart pumping, and leave me wanting more. I laughed, I cryed, and I am still jumping for joy! Craig Hickman really shows us the recipe for life is... one cup of love, a tablespoon of trust, throw in some forgiveness and hope, and a heep of honesty and then, only then, can we really begin to live. Because, are'nt we all just Fumbling Toward Divinity anyway? Thank you Craig for this tasty treat! Peace, Ife Franklin.