Family Family
Family Family ~ Laurie Frankel
India Allwood, star of a TV show called ‘Val Halla’, lives in Los Angeles with her adopted twins, Fig and Jack. She has recently wrapped a film about the traumas of adoption, on the children, on the families, full of stereotypes about drug addled mothers and absent fathers. India makes a public statement supporting adoption, saying that it is not always about trauma and grief. She is suddenly held up as being pro-life and anti-choice, an impression that is only intensified when it comes out that India gave birth to a child near the end of High School (Bex), and again in college (Lewis), and had them both placed for adoption. It turns out that Fig (now 10) has tracked down Bex, and they have a texting relationship. Fig and Bex hatch a plan to help India manage the Hollywood firestorm that has descended upon her doorstep.
I really loved this book. I loved the relationship between India and her kids, I loved the kids and how they were reaching out to find each other. I loved the adoptive parents and how they clearly loved their children. Highly recommended.
What’s with all the book reviews? I’m participating in NaBloPoMo this month, writing a post a day. I decided that I would write about the books that I have read this year. For more NaBloPoMo participants, check out San’s list.
18 Comments
Kyria @ Travel Spot
I enjoyed this book, but found that it got a little over the top when they all became friends. It reminded me of Parent Trap a little bit. However, I think the message was good, and I enjoyed the story.
J
Yeah, it did get a little silly there, but that didn’t stop me from loving it!
Ernie
I have not heard of this book. It sounds like a good read. Adoption? Trauma? Hmm, I’ll have to check this one out.
J
You might enjoy it Ernie. The author wrote it to show how there isn’t ALWAYS trauma involved in adoptions, which I liked.
Lisa's Yarns
I liked this one as well. Dang we read a lot of the same books this year! I loved India’s personality so much – she was so quirky w/ the throwing of confetti, for example. I didn’t like it as much as This is how it always is, but it would be tough to beat that book!
J
Well, I suspect I’ve gotten ideas from your blog, among others! I had forgotten about the confetti. HA!
Maya
Another one for my list! Laurie Frankel is fave for _This is How it Always Is_, so I’m happy to read her again.
Thanks!
J
Oh, I haven’t read that one I don’t think…
Alexandra
It sounds like a heartwarming read. And who doesn’t love the movie, The Parent Trap?
J
That’s one of my daughter’s favorites (the Lindsay Lohan version)
Tobia | craftaliciousme
This was a book club book fro me and Laurie Frankle was a guest. It was really great talking with her, learning about her writing process, the thoughts behind some scenes and all.
However the books was more meh for me. And her other one was also meh. I think she is not really my author.
Glad you enjoyed it so very much.
J
It’s funny how different our tastes are, right? My loved book and your meh.
Margaret
I liked but didn’t love her other book but this one does sound interesting in the way it handles various relationships.
J
I haven’t read her other book, but a lot of people seem to have liked it.
Nicole MacPherson
I didn’t love this book. I found it SO heavy-handed. I know why she wrote it but I just didn’t think it was great. I have liked a lot of her other writing though.
J
I am going to have to check out her other writing, I am unfamiliar with it.
Stephany
I think we may have diverging reading tastes, J! I DNF-ed this book because I just thought it was all a little over-the-top and silly. I’m glad it worked for you! You *must* check out This Is How It Always Is, though. That’s her best book, in my opinion.
J
I’m starting to think I really need to check that one out!