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Summary: Beautifully written, touchingly candid, and filled with love
Review: As a 44-year-old gay adoptive father of two, and a sperm donor for a lesbian couple's child, I found that Jesse Green's book resonated with many aspects of my own experience. His candor about his own weaknesses and doubts, and his loving yet unflinching look at both his and his partner's lives, is moving and beautifully expressed. I found myself laughing frequently, and in tears just as often. Anyone who sees this parenting story as just a recipe for dysfunction doesn't know anything about being a gay man or adopting a child. There are no perfect families in the world, in spite of cultural stereotypes and religious prejudices; Jesse Green's window into one's man's journey to fatherhood is one of the most genuine and honest parenting stories I've ever read.
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Summary: mature, tender and caring people help save 2 souls
Review: As a caring Christian, I have been changed in my prejudice about gay men in general, and gay fathers. This wonderful book is about sacrifice and unconditional love. What could be more Christian? Beautiful writing- a love story.
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Summary: Beautifully written, a new yet timelessly human story
Review: As a gay man in the midst of trying to become a father (through surrogacy), I've snapped up as many books as possible that touch, however tangentially, on the subjects of gay men and fatherhood. This one I'd not heard of; it was a gift, in every sense of the word. I found its meditations on how we as gay men imagine society perceives us in terms of fatherhood -- and how we internalize and overcome those perceptions -- to be both compelling and astute. I felt Green's strongest advice, to gays and straights alike, was also his simplest: Become a parent only if you feel it is something you must do. Only then are you likely to adequately meet the demands of this most demanding of human endeavors. A thoughtful, funny, unexpected, and ultimately, deeply human story.
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Summary: Informative enlightening sensitive
Review: As a heterosexual senior mother I strongly identified with the dilemmas and delights of Andy and Jesse's adventure in parenting.
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Summary: Have a dictionary handy
Review: As a prospective gay dad (waiting 2 years now), I looked forward to reading this book, in a melancholic way, and I must say, at most points it truly hits home with my experience of adoption by gay men.Overall, however, I had difficulty consuming portions of it (unlike Dan Savage's The Kid which I nearly read cover to cover in one sitting). It had a definite novelistic quality which seemed to have been written over time in at least two different chunks and then woven back together, leaving the reader to traverse an arduous landscape of semantic hills and valleys. I would say that the average reader will have difficulty making the trip. For the first couple of chapters I had to have a dictionary handy at every page (and I'm fairly well educated) which made the book difficult to approach. I almost felt like there was an attempt of the author to appear undeservedly erudite, and I nearly stopped reading it. Then it picks up again in developing the character of Andy. The first and second person accounts are the best, where the author diverts and waxes poetic, the book bogs down. The book is steeped in an examination of Jewish-American culture which diverts from the main premise (gay parenting), and having a Jewish friend to explain the nuances helps. however, this aspect of the book eventually becomes equally engaging. Overall I found the book enjoyable and touching, and a spot on accurate reflection of the current state of same-sex parenting and adoption. I just wish it flowed more smoothly and was less of an exercise in academia.
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Summary: An Unexpected Joy
Review: As a prospective gay parent, I found Green's little book impossible to put down. His honest account of his emotions (and those of friends and family), combined with a most agreeable style makes this a wonderful book for parents-to-be of any sexual orientation.
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Summary: Wonderful book about the GLBT family experience
Review: As an adult daughter of two gay dads, I am dismayed to see some of the negative reviews of this book, and I wonder how we could have possibly read the same one. I very much enjoyed reading about Jesse's Green's journey to parenthood, and even though some people felt it was a little boring, I liked reading about his and his partner's backgrounds as well. No family is perfect, obviously, and I don't think the author's intent was to portray that. It's obvious that this book is full of love though, and I think that Erez and Lucas are lucky little boys to have such committed and caring dads. I recommend this book to all parents and children, gay and straight, who realize that love is what it takes to make a family.
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Summary: Beautiful book, don't miss this story
Review: Beautifully written life/adoption story. In elegant prose, Jesse Green tells about falling in love with Andy and his son, and then about adopting a second son. Don't miss this book.
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Summary: Beautifully written, compelling story
Review: Green's beautiful prose and compelling story make for a both a memorable and moving experience. Buy this book!
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Summary: a perfect blend of content and brilliant writing
Review: I cried, I laughed, but am mainly in awe of such wonderful writing and such insight . I read it in 2 days and go back to it often.
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