Rating: 
Summary: A Good Read, isn't that what fiction is really about?
Review: I have never been to China, or adopted a child. I just enjoy good fiction, written well, with a smooth rythm of story progression, and characters I love and care about. Add a thriller aspect that leaves the reader turning the pages as fast as they can, and you have a great book. I won't make this a political statement. It is just one man's version of a possibility. If anything, it will make the believers cautious, perhaps ask a few more questions, and that can't hurt. Allison Turk has come to China to adopt a baby, and because of an unknown glitch the officials have requested she turn the baby over to officials, and a new baby will be forthcoming. Allison who has bonded with the child decides to take matters into her own hands, along with her 9 year old step-son Tyler, she makes a run for it. Her journey is nothing short of remarkarkable. The story culminates in moments as montrous as the imagination could devise. Just what is going on with the unwanted children in China? Is there any truth in it? I don't know, but the story caught me up in it's momentum from start to finish...Kelsana
Rating:
Summary: Loved It!!
Review: I just finished China Run and loved it. I absolutely could not put it down. I really enjoyed the characters and Ball's exquisite descriptions of China. I, too, am an adoptive parent of a Chinese girl, and like the other two review writers, I had a fairly easy time of adopting once we got to China. But that was not before the Chinese completely changed the rules in the middle of our adoption. In October 1996, the Chinese government decided that special needs did not mean a baby with a medical problems or over the age of two, but just one with a medical problem. I think adoptive parents tend to romanticize China, and the fact is, it's a harsh and coercive governmen that changes rules arbitrarily. However, none of that matters. This is a book of fiction, and Ball has taken an interesting idea and weaved an intricate, thrilling plot that puts the reader right in the heart of China. He's an extraordinary storyteller, and this adoptive mother loved it.
Rating: 
Summary: A very good yarn
Review: I just read this book. Ten years ago, I traveled in the area of China that is covered in the book. However, I have no experience with adopting a Chinese child. I did not read the slip cover material, and I read this story as being mainly fiction, but a fiction built upon the rich and varied texture of a great, complex people and nation. As noted by others, even the smells of China make it into the story in a way that is real to those of us who've been there. There is no question that there are some flaws in the reach and premise of the story, but it grabbed me, and it surprised me, and I enjoyed it immensely as a superior work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: A very good yarn
Review: I just read this book. Ten years ago, I traveled in the area of China that is covered in the book. However, I have no experience with adopting a Chinese child. I did not read the slip cover material, and I read this story as being mainly fiction, but a fiction built upon the rich and varied texture of a great, complex people and nation. As noted by others, even the smells of China make it into the story in a way that is real to those of us who've been there. There is no question that there are some flaws in the reach and premise of the story, but it grabbed me, and it surprised me, and I enjoyed it immensely as a superior work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely outstanding book on tape listen!
Review: i listen to many novels on tape; this is about as good as it gets -- on two critical counts. first, the story itself is dramatic and real and constantly imminent, pulling in the listener from the start and never letting go for an instant. secondly, the narrator -- george guidall -- is superb, never missing a beat; his characters speak in perfect english, some in broken english and others only in chinese -- every word is credible, every moment compelling.
Rating:
Summary: China Run
Review: I loved China Run! I've never traveled to China, or adopted a baby. Ball allowed me to experience both with vivid details and emotional connections. A poignant adventure that was intriguing, educational and entertaining! I couldn't put it down! I look forward to his next adventure.
Rating: 
Summary: Why did the author have to mention the Mideast?
Review: I really enjoyed this book until about halfway through, when discussing some torture equipment, the author threw in a comment about the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. No other politial comments, no other mention of any other countries' torture practices in the entire book, but he had to say that Isreal had invented this device to torture Palestinians. Did nobody else notice this? I would have thrown this book away except that I had gotten it from the library.
Rating:
Summary: Loved It...very much a page turner
Review: I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. The vivid description of the journey painted scenery in my mind's eye as I read...I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend.
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading--and badly written, too
Review: I've read the excerpt of this book that's available on publishers' web sites. I adopted a child from China four years ago, and am always happy to see articles and books that present the process--which isn't perfect--honestly and insightfully. China Run does not. Adoption from China takes time, but it is a well-established program with clear, uniform rules. There are many agencies in the United States who have superb in-China staff and "call us collect any time" policies. China itself works hard to be hospitable to visitors. Parents aren't left stranded, with no choice but to flee to the countryside. And I know of no instances or accusations of baby-selling--the smallest suggestion of such a thing in any country halts international adoption very quickly. Are there unhappy surprises in real life? Sure. But overwhelmingly, adoptive parents have been treated fairly, even warmly and generously, by Chinese officials and by American consular representatives. Even in the aftermath of the U.S. bombing of a Chinese consulate, great care was taken on both sides to defuse the tense situation, protect adoptive parents and children, and make the process succeed. Of course thrillers are based on improbable and ugly situations. But the imagined events in China Run ask the reader to swallow not only a wildly false, but a thoroughly mean-spirited slanting of reality. Happily, the book is also very poorly written. There are cliches at every turn. Unable to find graceful ways to avoid the dreaded "said," author David W. Ball makes sure everyone snarls, snaps, exclaims, blurts out, murmurs, etc. One of my favorites is "'Dang it!' Tyler cursed." Temples throb. The author takes 34 words to tell us what "she's a keeper" means, fishwise. People "sob uncontrollably," and "slump to the floor." It's a composition teacher's nightmare--or, if you're in the mood, laugh riot. I read a fair amount of junk fiction and enjoy it. If I have to sweat through this whole crummy thing in order to qualify to review it, I will. But I expect to spend a fair amount of time (in Brown's words) "retching, needing to throw up." As opposed, presumably to the range of other kinds of retching. He certainly provides plenty of opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: A thriller
Review: This book is NOT meant to be an intro to adoption from China. This book is a page-turning thriller. I enjoyed it tremendously, frequently unable to put it down. Enjoy the fiction!!!
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