A Peacock or a Crow? Stories, Interviews and Commentaries on Romanian Adoptions [Paperback]

Ph.D., Victor Groza (Author), Ivor Irwin (Author), Daniela Ileana (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1893435024 | ISBN-13: 978-1893435025 | Publication Date: January 11, 1999 | Edition: 1

A long-awaited, popular guide to events, policies and cultural influences on Romanian adoption. The authors consider recent Romanian history and the effects of institutionalization on adoptees and adoptive families. They draw richly upon first person narratives, as well as the research findings of social scientists. For those considering international adoption, a special section is included on processes, procedures and expenses.

Written in an engaging, first-person manner, the book will be an invaluable resource for adoptive families, those considering adoption, practicing field workers and college courses pertaining to the complexities and realities of international adoption.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A valuable and interesting book about one of the most heartbreaking tragedies of our times... Mario Puzo, Author of The Godfather

The book reads almost as an adventure story. It is highlighted by stories, personal accounts of the journeys of adopting families. One meets birth families and gets a first-hand feel for severe economic conditions that Romanian families deal with. Just as are other "characters" in the books stories, the Romanian families whom one meets are alive, real, and deeply concerned about their children. The reader enters a Romanian institution, meets children and staff, and comes away with a balanced perspective on the harsh conditions that many children encountered.

"A Peacock or a Crow" is recommended reading for adoptive families, prospective families, or for anyone interested in the adoptive experience. It brings the world of international adoption to life and is invaluable in this regard.

James A. Rosenthal - Professor of Social Work, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma -- Publisher Comments

About the Author

Victor Groza, Ph.D., is an internationally known researcher on adoption with 3 books and over 30 professional articles. Of Romanian ancestry, he has returned to Romania each summer since 1991, carrying out research, conducting training, or providing technical assistance to child welfare projects. He is an Associate Professor at the Mandel School of Applied Sciences at Case Western Reserve University, and has appeared on such shows as "Eye to Eye" with Connie Chung and in a segment on international adoption in "Adoption in the Twentieth Century," with Mike Wallace.

Daniela F. Ileana, MSSA, LISW, works for Hill House Mental Health and Research, Inc.. She is a social worker and manager of a group home for people with serious and persistent mental illnesses. Having immigrated from Romania at age 14, she has returned several times to her native country to carry out research, conduct training, or provide technical assistance.

Ivor Irwin, MFA, is a fiction writer and university lecturer who currently lives in Chicago. Of Romanian ancestry, he was raised in Manchester, England by his grandmother, who had immigrated from Bucharest. He has published in The Sun, Indiana Review, Sycamore Review, The Review of Contemporary Fiction, The Long Story, Playboy and other magazines. His work has been published in a number of anthologies and nominated three times for the Pushcart Prize.

Product Details

• Paperback: 195 pages
• Publisher: Williams Custom Publishing; 1 edition (January 11, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1893435024
• ISBN-13: 978-1893435025
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,087,176 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Somewhat informative but not accurate, April 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Peacock or a Crow? Stories, Interviews and Commentaries on Romanian Adoptions (Paperback)

Groza writes some basic information but really does not go into the proper detail or accuracy about the problems so many families have experienced with romanian Adoptions. His book was somewhat off track when he went into his "fantasy characters" in one of his chapters instead of providing more hope and better treatment guidelines. he seems to focus on old issues as opposed to new medical and psychiatric information which would have made the book more helpful. It read like a "basic guide' as opposed to something more scientific or helpful to the family in need of assistance.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, the truth about the JOYS of Romanian Adoptions!!!, February 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Peacock or a Crow? Stories, Interviews and Commentaries on Romanian Adoptions (Paperback)

I applaud Victor Groza for finally writing a book that sees the glass of water as half full instead of half empty. As the parent of two adopted children - one from Romania the other from Bulgaria I feel it is time that someone tell the truth - international adoptions while sometimes start out on a sad note can have the happiest of endings. My children are both very beautiful, intelligent and well adjusted children. To say that the information in his book is inaccurate and unprofessional is a terrible disservice to a truly remarkable and dedicated person who has devoted his life to giving the public accurate and informative information regarding international adoptions. It is my daughter who appears in the before and after pictures in the book. She is now a seven year old and in the first grade and functioning at the appropriate level for a first grader. She is also in the 70th percentile for height and weight. I think that it is about time some people realize that maybe it is them and not their child that has problems. Especially the person who feels their true identity was not fully hidden. It would be a great tragedy to have this book taken off of the market/shelf. It represents the first real efforts anyone has made to present Romanian adoptions positively. Victor is constantly researching medical and psychiatric data and to say it is misleading or he did not consult with "real" experts is an insult to all of us who have had successful international adoptions.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Improper Research and Portrayal of Romanian Issues, August 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Peacock or a Crow? Stories, Interviews and Commentaries on Romanian Adoptions (Paperback)

As yet another Romanian-born professional who has read this book (a full professor of History of Eastern Europe Affairs), Groza's book falls short of accuracy and facts. He writes misleading reaserch statistics about "adoption contentment" which have nothing to do with the scope of the Romanian institution problem. It is clear he is writing from an "American Perspective" as, without living through the tragedy of Romania and seeing the evolution of the problem, you cannot write an accurate portrayal. Furthermore, this book misleads many needy parents who may want to adopt as he offers no real scientific or medical research which is valid and reliable regarding the true health of these very special children who have been a legacy of years of oppression. He portrays that the children will do well in families but fails to indicate that not all families may be able to handle an instituitionalized child. His attempts at mocking humor make this book even more unprofessional and a "no buy". Groza and his writers needed help and more accuracy as opposed to conjecture.