After Sorrow Comes Joy

Rating:
Summary: I loved this book.
Review: As a mom of biological children as well as a Vietnamese daughter, Kelly, I quickly "connected" with Tom and Cherie Clark in the first portion of Cherie's book, After Sorrow Comes Joy. Reading some of her statements, was like a flashback to my thoughts and feelings during Kelly's adoption. One of the comments was when Cherie said, "pregnancy did nothing to prepare me for this intense longing I would have for a child I had never met." It's one of those things you can't adequately explain to people who haven't been there.

Cherie's vivid descriptions of life in Vietnam help me to understand more about the birthcountry of my daughter, and the devastation that was caused by a war I was too young to care about at the time. The Clark's desire and willingness to live in a war-torn country and care for so many needy children, should ignite in all of us a greater desire to deny ourselves and serve this world. They made a significant difference in so many lives. A difference that continues into the present and future of many lives.

Cherie commented that during one of her trips back to Vietnam, the "smell of Vietnam" overwhelmed her with memories of her time there. I remember the first time I walked into the Denver Vietnamese market after adopting Kelly. I burst into tears, because the smell was the smell of me finally going to Saigon and seeing my baby. Nothing ever smelled so wonderful! Another thing you can't adequately describe to others.

As my husband and I pursue the adoption of a Vietnamese boy with the help of Cherie's organization, International Mission of Hope, I feel indebted to her for her active expression of love for my baby's country, for her love of orphans and others in need, and for her desire to give up so many American comforts to experience the the vast joy that comes only from denying yourself and serving others wholeheartedly.

Rating:
Summary: One of "Cherie's Kids"
Review: As a Vietnamese adoptee myself, and one who has always been familiar with Cherie's work, I was amazed that I was lucky enough to have crossed paths with this extraordinary woman. Once again, she has given adoptees a gift - a written history of the lengths she and the others went to save the lives of so many children at a time of such chaos. 25 years ago I met Cherie as an infant in one of her hospitals and my life was permanently changed and she was permanently etched in my heart. This book is a reminder that that is where she belongs.

Rating:
Summary: One of "Cherie's Kids"
Review: As a Vietnamese adoptee myself, and one who has always been familiar with Cherie's work, I was amazed that I was lucky enough to have crossed paths with this extraordinary woman. Once again, she has given adoptees a gift - a written history of the lengths she and the others went to save the lives of so many children at a time of such chaos. 25 years ago I met Cherie as an infant in one of her hospitals and my life was permanently changed and she was permanently etched in my heart. This book is a reminder that that is where she belongs.

Rating:
Summary: Bravery & Compassion
Review: As an adoption professional and someone who has been to Vietnam, I was mesmerized by this book. This was a critical time in our history. And, Cherie captures much of the drama and intensity of the time. It was a life and death situation, with people's lives dramatically impacted by her actions and the actions or inactions of others. The bravery and compassion she showed were remarkable. I could not help but wonder if I would have been worthy of the task. Vietnam is a complex and fascinating place. Cherie captured much of this in her book, which also reflected her great love and commitment to the culture and people. I eagerly await the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: Bravery & Compassion
Review: As an adoption professional and someone who has been to Vietnam, I was mesmerized by this book. This was a critical time in our history. And, Cherie captures much of the drama and intensity of the time. It was a life and death situation, with people's lives dramatically impacted by her actions and the actions or inactions of others. The bravery and compassion she showed were remarkable. I could not help but wonder if I would have been worthy of the task. Vietnam is a complex and fascinating place. Cherie captured much of this in her book, which also reflected her great love and commitment to the culture and people. I eagerly await the next installment.

Rating:
Summary: An Awakening
Review: As an airlift adoptee, this book was a powerful way of connecting to a past I know so little about. Cherie's book opened my eyes to the circumstances that led to my adoption and helped me gain a better understanding of the conditions at the time and the heroic efforts Cherie and the many others took to save our lives.

For many of us adoptees, we will never know our birthfamily and this book is as close as we can get. This wonderfully written, poignant, honest book gives us back our past and give us a connection to the country that released us from her embrace before we could recognize her smells and understand her culture.

I recommend this book with all of my heart to any airlift adoptee who is struggling to understand their humble beginnings. In these pages, you will find your past and can begin the road to understanding and reconciling the pain of not knowing where you started.

Rating:
Summary: An Awakening
Review: As an airlift adoptee, this book was a powerful way of connecting to a past I know so little about. Cherie's book opened my eyes to the circumstances that led to my adoption and helped me gain a better understanding of the conditions at the time and the heroic efforts Cherie and the many others took to save our lives.

For many of us adoptees, we will never know our birthfamily and this book is as close as we can get. This wonderfully written, poignant, honest book gives us back our past and give us a connection to the country that released us from her embrace before we could recognize her smells and understand her culture.

I recommend this book with all of my heart to any airlift adoptee who is struggling to understand their humble beginnings. In these pages, you will find your past and can begin the road to understanding and reconciling the pain of not knowing where you started.

Rating:
Summary: Truly a Life With Meaning
Review: Cherie gave 100% of herself to the children of VietNam and, later, India. I couldn't put this book down. I also have adopted internationally and want so much to drop everything and go to work with children without families overseas. The difference: I don't have the courage, Cherie did. I only wish she had the time or resources to write the sequel she had planned to this wonderful book.

Rating:
Summary: Kept me reading, left me wanting more
Review: I like a book that can make me cry and laugh, that can touch my heart as well as my mind, that lets me feel connected with and affectionate toward people I've never met. Cherie Clark's book does all these things. Maybe it was partly because I too have spent time in Asia, but I felt a kinship with many of the people she met and cared for, and a deep appreciation for the country she so lovingly describes. I guess I'd also call the book a real page-turner--I kept turning the pages, wanting to know what was going to happen next, and being surprised at every turn. What an adventure she lived through! And it's so accessible, so easy to share it--to cry with her over the death of a baby or a friend, to rage at the ridiculous stonewalling of bureaucrats withholding help or information, to chuckle at the wiliness of friends who find a way through, and to rejoice at the flight to freedom for some fine people who had felt there was no hope for them. The only reason I gave four stars instead of five was that I wanted more--more anecdotes, more information about practical, day-to-day matters (like how did they get the gas to keep making those dangerous trips around the countryside?), and especially more time with each individual along the way. I look forward eagerly to her next two books.

Rating:
Summary: A page turner!
Review: I made the mistake of sitting down to read a 'few pages' of this book late at night and was still reading in the wee hours of the morning! I couldn't seem to put it down. Cherie Clark's recollection of the final years of the Vietnam War and the struggle to save the often forgotten children of the time is powerful and moving. Although I've known of Cherie's work for several years, getting to read all the details that led to the momentous final days of April was wonderful. Time and again, I found myself wondering what it would have been like to be there, working side by side with her and her staff. Cherie does a great job of presenting the facts in an appealing, fast moving narrative that keeps you turning pages. This book is a must for adoptive parents, humanitarian aid workers and anyone interested in the fascinating country of Vietnam. I can't wait for the next volume!