The Martin Chronicles: A True Story of Adoption and Love in Mexico [Paperback]

Mary Beth de Ribeaux (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 12, 2001

Laura set the bassinet down gently and backed away, smiling at us. Eugene nudged me, but I was shaking so hard, I couldn't pick up the baby. Eugene quickly scooped him up instead and cuddled him before placing him in my arms. Little Martín stared at me intently and then... he smiled.From the emotional moment when they first met, Eugene and Mary Beth were entranced by the three-month-old baby they'd traveled to Mexico to adopt. Then life took an unexpected turn. Bureaucratic bungling, political wrangling, Mexican holidays, and plain bad luck repeatedly delayed the adoption's final approval. Meanwhile, Eugene returned to the U.S., leaving Mary Beth in Puerto Vallarta with Martín. The Martin Chronicles-originally a series of email messages Mary Beth sent home to family and friends-recounts the trials and joys of a first-time mother with limited Spanish skills who was determined to make the best of a precarious situation. This heartwarming, lively narrative reveals a growing love not only for an adopted baby, but for his native country as well. Through comic adventures, budding friendships, and cultural celebrations, The Martin Chronicles gives an account of one family's incredible saga to bring their baby home.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Before her promotion to motherhood (as she likes to say), Mary Beth de Ribeaux had it easy working as an editor and writer. She and her husband, Eugene, dream of living in Mexico, but currently reside in Maryland with Martín, two cats, one dog, and a growing collection of trains.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (January 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595146112
• ISBN-13: 978-0595146116
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,960,885 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book that you can't put down!, December 12, 2001

By 

Bernadette Pankey (St. Louis, MO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Martin Chronicles: A True Story of Adoption and Love in Mexico (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Mary Beth's personal account of her experience in Mexico while waiting for the finalization of her son's adoption. As a mother waiting for her son from Guatemala, I found this book to be comforting. Although Mary Beth and her husband had a difficult period in their lives (Mary Beth being in a foreign country, Eugene being away from his newly found family), they all remained positive about the experience. I truly felt as though I knew Mary Beth as she described her experences in her emails to her friends and family. I also enjoyed the lessons in Spanish that were embedded within her leters. As Mary Beth's stay in Mexico came to an end, I too felt a sadness that the journey was ending.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mother's Love, November 1, 2001

By 

"cdcorliss" (Caldwell, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Martin Chronicles: A True Story of Adoption and Love in Mexico (Paperback)

What a tribute to motherly love! Becoming a first time mom is an adventure in itself, but Mary Beth learns more quickly than most that for her child, a mother will do most anything. Following the De Ribeaux family through its adventure truly made for great reading. I read this book in three days, not wanting to put it down because I had to know what happened next. The story is personal and the style truly makes the reader feel that he or she is one of the family's close friends. Congratulations to the author on capturing the essence of family and illustrating how making the most out of a bad situation often creates memories that are not only lasting, but cherished.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, May 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Martin Chronicles: A True Story of Adoption and Love in Mexico (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about the trials and tribulations associated with adopting an infant from Mexico. It is written so that the reader shares the emotional highs and lows just as if he/she had lived through the experience. The author cleverly incorporates humor and tidbits about Mexican culture and customs. Best of all, she demonstrates how to make the best of a difficult situation. I found the story totally inspiring.