Family Tree
by Barbara Delinsky
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Book Reviews of Family Tree
Book Review: Interesting story
Summary: 4 Stars
I always enjoy Barbara Delinsky's books and this one was good too. But I did miss the "romance" aspect that I have come to expect from her books and I am not a Romance reader.
As others said the issue raised in this book was very thought provoking. What must it be like, not only for a child of color with 1 white parent, but what is it like for a child of color with 2 white biological parents. But I thought the mother's reaction to her child being bi-racial was unrealistic. It was too accepting too fast. True she did not know her background like the husband, but she did know what both of her parents and maternal grand parents looked like. I don't feel she should have been upset by her daughter's color, just that I think most people would really be surprised and very curious like the husband was. I'm glad the issue of infidelity came up. It is very realistic to have people gossiping and accusing given the circumstances.
The other problem I had with this book was the added stories. I felt the storyline about Dana's grandfather and the customer Corine was unnecessary. I would have liked a closer look at Eaton's grandfather. And what decision did Eaton come to about revealing his true Family Tree?
Book Review: Interesting and thought-provoking
Summary: 3 Stars
This book was so engaging that I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one day. I found the situation in which this young couple found themselves very perplexing and was as anxious as they were to find out who in the family was responsible for their baby's African-American features.
I also found Dana's confusion over her father to be quite plausible. His identity was a surprise and yet, even though rather unconventional, it was a believable situation. I wanted the character to develop this relationship and come to know her half-siblings.
Delinsky's skill made me dislike Dana's husband for his reaction to the baby's appearance and his paranoia. Yet one has to wonder how one would react under the same circumstances. It was an unusual situation and the explanations did seem limited.
Why three stars? I have a problem believing that a child so far removed from her African-American ancestor could inherit such strong physical characteristics. Even the genetics expert Hugh consulted seemed to dispel the possibility. So, since I question the foundation of the book, I couldn't rate it higher even though I really enjoyed it.
Book Review: Really, really bad
Summary: 1 Stars
I normally love Barbara Delinsky books (read my review on "Summer I Dared), but this was an exception. Ms. Delinsky comes across as wanting to write a "serious" book about "serious" issues and the whole thing fails miserably. It feels very, very forced. The characters are contrived and they behave in ways that make absolutely no sense. Some of the characters change positions without any warning or explanation. All of the characters act like small children wanting their way and oblivious of those around them and how they feel. This would make sense for some characters, but NONE of them act like the mature/successful/intelligent people Ms. Delinsky describes them to be. It feels like the characters do and say things to make a point Ms. Delinsky wants to make rather than that being how the character would think or behave. I found myself thinking "you have got to be kidding" more times than I can say as I read this book.
I can't go into plot line without having "spoilers" which will prevent this from being posted, but just let me say ..... if you want to read it, go to the library. Please don't spend your hard-earned money on this !
Book Review: Another Delinsky great read
Summary: 4 Stars
I agree with those who stated it was a fast read, there were story lines not completed (perhaps there will be a sequel?)and I also felt very uncomfortable with Hugh's reactions and decisions. But having been an OB nurse for most of my long life, I know this story happens in real life and reading about it as a "novel" really brings it to the forefront and alerts parents-to-be that this is always possible. Do any of us know 100% for sure that we're what we think we are or what we were told we are? Generations ago affairs were very common (times haven't changed) and mixed racial relationships happened----just not talked about as they are today and certainly not accepted. But they happened.
I loved the story--minus Hugh's character.It was, however, quite predictable. But I also hated for it to end. Baby Lizzie would surely have a wonderful life with many adoring relatives of all colors giving her all the love and care an innocent little child deserves. Bi-racial children are beautiful----but then I think all babies are and should be loved and cherished.
I recommend this book to everyone wanting a "feel good" ending.
Book Review: Contemporary Premise for Summer Beach Reading
Summary: 4 Stars
Barbara Delinsky writes an amazingly easy to read book. At first I thought it was goiing to be one of the most fascinating I've read recently. But then the fantastic premise of a white mother and father birthing an African American baby seems so contemporary...in this day of DNA. A sophisticated story, done well can far surpass tabloid or reality shows or talk shows dealing with the topic...and she almost pulls it off. Dana Clarke has married into a wealthy Mayflower heritage famiy...but it turns out once her baby is born, her own heritage is questioned. Alas, the novel exposes the same old prejudices of the past and even the hidden concerns that Dana the lead character has. It's fairly quick reading for the beach...but alas it's more like eating Chinese food -- you're hungry again later...for something more from this best-selling author. Trying to figure out how they are going to make a movie of this..will have to depend on VERY strong casting to get past the prejudice...GUESS WHO'S COMING TO DINNER and Mahogony cover some of the same type of subject matter in a much more classic manner.