Customer Reviews

Notes From Nobody

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4 star:		(2)
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NOTES FROM NOBODY is a gift of the heart to all people with experience of adoption in their lives. Ms. VanLydegraf's honest and direct approach to her own experience with adoption pulls readers straight into her life, and you will find yourself wanting to reach back in time and tell her, 'No, no, don't do that,' and then rejoice with her successes. Anyone that has been adopted, or has adopted out children themselves, knows how delicate that part of our life, and heart, is. There is a missing part that must have an answer, and this author masterfully shares with her readers the answers life gave her. Anyone involved with, or considering adoption in their lives will benefit from the multiple perspectives given here! I believe this book deserves much noteriety.
Pinkie Arnot

This is a timely, no-holds barred story of what happens when a mother, because of the circumstances of her life, must give up her children to adoption and of her lifelong need to find them. The author speaks from experience, which gives her book an authentic ring. It was one she had to write in order to come to terms with her life experience. Her readers are happy she did, especially all those who have undergone a similar experience.

A true story of the hidden contrasting emotions at the heart of the adoption process. This account goes beyond the sweetness of media hype. It touches the depths of reality. It deciphers the varied consequences of knowing and understanding that something has been missing in a precious life.

The author shows real talent and courage in this true story about and by a birthmother who found her two children later in life. This bittersweet, honest, and touching tale is a poignant read for anyone who has ever dealt with adoption... either as a parent, or a child

The subtitle of this book does, indeed, provide a telling introduction to the author's story: "A loving, helping, caring gift for one mother's adopted out lives." The two children she adopted out were both conceived in love. They never left her heart.

Ms. VanLydegraf most assuredly had a lot of love to give if only life had turned in her favor. But both "princes" she loved and dreamed about as husbands turned out not to be so charming. It was the early 1960's when her youth and naievete got in the way of better judgement. The era of flower power and free love, in her case, was anything but free. She found herself young, pregnant, abandoned, and short on options in those days. What support her parents might have offered was limited by debilitating disease.

In this true story, the author bluntly and honestly details the tragedy of unmarried pregnancy and the adoption process, what leads up to it as well as what haunts all parties afterwards for decades. The reunion with both adopted out sons is joyous, but remains bittersweet around the edges. Her heart and spirit were changed by life experience. She will never be the same, despite establishing relationships with both the sons she gave up in her teens. That is the poignant message delivered in Notes From Nobody. Mother Love cannot always conquer all, but it keeps trying no matter what.

As previously reviewed, this book contains grammatical errors. However, it is a moving story of a mother's heart. It is highly recommended.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has been involved in the adoption triangle. The author, who is a birth mother twice over, gives a heartbreaking account of her own experiences, and describes the bittersweetness of her reunions with her two adopted-out children decades later. "I couldn't sleep ... was reeling with joy, fear, hope, fear, the possibilities, fear, all at once, my world had changed. My whole body knew it. My mind knew it. My heart knew it." The honesty and courage that it took to write this book fully deserve five stars. (The editing, however, does not.)

I am an adoptive mother and wanted to read this book but resisted. My daughter is living near her birth relatives at present and I have been experiencing some feelings of insecurity about our relationship.
I finally followed the "nudge" and read the book. The story is extremely well-written and tells the raw tale of the author's experiences as a birth mother, her reuniting with her adopted out children, her confused childhood, and the twists and turns her own life has taken as a result of many choices.
I read the book in only three hours, one sitting. I cannot put into words what I got out of it, I can only say I am thankful I read it, and grateful that it was written.I know that down the road I will reflect on many of the things shared in this marvelous book and it will help me, comfort me. Excellent job! Thank you, Claudia!

"Notes from Nobody," written by Claudia (Balch) Turner Vanlydegraf is a courageous review of the authors life and her emotions after giving up two sons for adoption. Readers experience the author's pain at that period in her life. We also share in her joy at being reunited with both within a few weeks. Positive read for any one involved in the adoption process. Beverly J Scott author of "Righteous Revenge."