Customer Reviews

For Love Of A Child: Stories Of Adoption

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4 star:		(1)
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For Love of a Child begins with the author's own stories of her multiple connections with adoption - as the older sister of an adoptee, as an adoptive parent, and as a birth grandparent in an open adoption. The rest of the book is a collection of short stories by people with a wide variety of perspectives on the adoption experience. In fact, what is most impressive about this book is the diversity of the stories from adoptees, birth parents (mother and father), adoptive parents and extended family members. International, older child, open, sibling group, and private adoptions are all discussed as well as adoptions by single parents, stepparents, relatives, a lesbian couple, and even what it is like to grow up in a dysfunctional adoptive family. The stories cover the entire spectrum of closed to open, both in terms of relationships and attitudes.

Fortunately, Garfield allows each of these touching stories to stand on their own. So often writers who put together a collection of stories feel the need to comment on each story as an introduction to the reader. Garfield begins each chapter with the name of the person and a phrase from the story. This is an effective introduction that allows you to experience the story from the writer's perspective and form your own impressions without interpretation from someone else.

I always recommend Adoption Nation (Adam Pertman) and The Family of Adoption (Joyce Maguire Pavao) as great "introduction to adoption" books for those interested in adopting or extended family members. I'd like to add For Love of a Child to this group with the added note that this new one is probably the easiest to read and most approachable for those with no adoption background. Add it to your collection!

This book is absolutely amazing. It sheds light on all perspectives of adoption and opens your eyes to the miracle of adoption. It is great for all those who have an association with adoption and for those who are looking into the possibility.

As an adoptive parent and adoption volunteer, I really appreciated the tenderness and honesty portrayed in this book. The stories give a good overview of the various types of adoption and offer a peek into the thoughts and emotions that accompany the adoption process.

I started this book late one evening and literally could not put it down until my eyes were crossing at about 2 a.m. The stories are far more interesting and compelling than fiction could be (which is saying a lot as I love fiction.) They are forthright, honest, and deeply emotional without sugar coating or sentimentality. The honesty includes mistakes made; the author clearly was trusted by those who shared stories with her. She is not judgmental, and the reader feels priviledged to hear (read) such personal and truthful stories. Every point of view is included - people who have adopted, been adopted, given a baby up for adoption, supported a teenage or adult child who gave a baby up for adoption, and more.

I have bought copies of this book to friends who have adopted children. I would think these stories would have great meaning for anyone who has personally been a part of the adoption process. However, I have not had any family experience with adoption and obviously enjoyed the book, so I'd hate to see it considered to be appropriate only for those personally involved in adoption.