The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child [Paperback]

Nancy Verrier (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1993

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Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Nancy Verrier (April 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0963648004
• ISBN-13: 978-0963648006
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.5 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Psychology & Counseling > Counseling
  • #25 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Adoption
  • #42 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Sociology > Marriage & Family

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

169 of 180 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A "must read" for all.... October 16, 1999

By Coco Ventura

Format:Paperback

As an adoptee, I could not have written this book better myself. It is an extremely insightful book which opened up a world of understanding to myself and also to my loved ones. It helped me understand why I am the way that I am, why I do some of the things that I do, why I struggle with love in my life, and why I have this subconscious fear of abandonment and trust.

This book is a definite "must read" for all parents of adopted children. I know that as a parent you will resist believing in the Primal Wound but you must for the benefit of your children. You will learn to understand your adopted children and will be able to help them throughout their lives - sometimes even in the smallest way, i.e. the simple reassurance that you WILL return home after work.

I met my birth family at 30 years old. Then I read this book a few years later. This book made a difference in my life. It will make a difference in your life, too. Enjoy!

Thank you Nancy Newton Verrier!!

94 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Mirror To My Adopted Self February 21, 2000

By Long Pants

Format:Paperback

I have read many books on adoption. This is my favorite. Upfront, smart, insightful work. I admire this book for not being afraid of the criticism it may receive for being too acurate, too honest, too exposing of our society's slow pulling up of it's socks with regards to acknowledging adoption as a period of trauma for the infant and not simply a time of celebration for infertile couples wanting children.

It felt as though Verrier took the hand of my young adopted self and walked me through my entire life. My copy is severely highlighted with "yes", "yes" written at least once in each margin. If that weren't enough, Verrier then guides us through the search and reunion process, which was the area I had been looking for help with. It seemed as though she had witnessed the intricacies of my own reunion process...for there it was spelled out on the page. The book also provides some great insight into the delicacies of the triad relationships (adoptee/birth parents/adoptive parents) during the reunion process, suggesting ways to move toward solid relationships. Finally, Verrier offers the adoptee real usable tools for mourning his/her deep loss so that he/she can slowly remove adoption related roadblocks in his/her adult life.

To the non-adopted eye, the book may seem repetitive in places, but this book was built for the adoptee. The repetition is reassuring and appropriate. If Verrier hadn't so accurately described my experience as an adoptee: my difficulty with my own birthday parties, my inability to react to the news of my grandmother's death, my terror of being separated from my adoptive mother on the first day of nursury school and my inexplicable deep childhood sadness(to name a few), I may not have believed that she knew what she was talking about. It's all there. See for yourself. This book is a friend; the boyscout handbook for the adopted. To anyone adopted: I recommend keeping a copy in your back pocket.

Thank you Nancy Newton Verrier. We have been waiting for this.

85 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Primal Wound April 23, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I am an adoptee, who as an adult has searched for and found my birth family. I am also an adoptive father, my son being a teenage adoptee. I found this book to be the most insightful book on adoption that I have ever read. This book, like fine art, speaks to the essence of our being. It speaks to the adoptee primarily, but also to the adoptive parent and birth parent. The truths found in this book are basic and undeniable on the primal level. However, triad members often do attempt to deny them on an intellectual (conscience) level all the time. This denial sets up the basic tension or unspoken problems of adoption. The answer is in speaking about them and adressing them head on. Difficult at best. Nancy Verrier's premise of the primal wound may be difficult for the triad members to accept, but for the adoptee it hits home. I am not completely convinced of the "primal wound" concept, but I am convinced that the problems and struggles that Nancy describes are real. The thoughts and feelings of adoptees are accurately described by Nancy. All adoptees know in their "heart of hearts" that these feelings and thoughts are real. How each adoptee deals with this reality is unique to each individual. Critics may call this book pop psychology, however, the Nancy has accurately described the problems that adoptees experience, this is reality not pop psychology. The symptoms and problems are real and must be acknowledged and dealt with if adoptees are to heal. I would recommend this book to all adoptees. The courageous will use this information to improve their lives and those of their fellow triad members. I wish all who read this book the best as they search for truth in their own adoption issues. Thank you Nancy for your insightful and beatiful work of courage and love.