Meeting Sophie: A Memoir of Adoption

Rating:
Summary: Not a complete adoption story....
Review: Although this is a wonderfully written story, I was very disappointed that the bulk of the story had little to do with the author's adoption process. As one going through the process of Chinese adoption, I would hope these stories put out as adoption journeys would focus on just that and not the author's personal life outside of adoption. Others may find this interesting and enjoy it, I did not and would not recommend this book to prospective adoptive parents.

Rating:
Summary: Not just an adoption story, but much more
Review: Lyrical and funny story about the author's process of adopting from China, but about much more--being a parent, being a child, growing up in families, forming families, loss, and healing. This book is for people adopting from China and single parents, but also for anyone who has been a parent or dealt with aging parents. The humor and parallel stories of life and death reminded me of Anne Lamott's Operating Instructions. Finally, a beautifully written and poignant story about adoption that's not just a how-to, but something anyone can relate to.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and Real
Review: McCabe's book strikes a chord with many of us who are adopted and ever wondered about the special relationship that can develop in chosen families. Never before have I read about the two-way path between mothers (and fathers) and children who find each other with such pathos and wonder. McCabe is a lucky Mom to have been adopted by such a wonderful little girl. Now we're fortunate to be able to have "Sophie" for oursevles.

Rating:
Summary: A Way with Words
Review: Nany McCabe has a way with words; she created such a powerful, moving story. From the beginning I got the sense that she was an interesting and intelligent person, but what I loved is how she grew emotionally. Through the book, she began recognizing the love and the limitations of love that bound her and her family. This book helped me analyze parent and adult children dynamics as well as reflect on adoptive parent and child relationships. As a daughter and an upcoming adoptive mother, I felt a sense of recognition and hope.

Rating:
Summary: A Way with Words
Review: Nany McCabe has a way with words; she created such a powerful, moving story. From the beginning I got the sense that she was an interesting and intelligent person, but what I loved is how she grew emotionally. Through the book, she began recognizing the love and the limitations of love that bound her and her family. This book helped me analyze parent and adult children dynamics as well as reflect on adoptive parent and child relationships. As a daughter and an upcoming adoptive mother, I felt a sense of recognition and hope.

Rating:
Summary: Moving and inspiring
Review: The reader who wasn't interested in McCabe's personal life doesn't seem to understand that a memoir is by definition a narrative composed from personal experience. Meeting Sophie is not just about "the adoption process." Instead, it eloquently and poignantly demonstrates how becoming a parent--however one accomplishes it--affects all aspects of a life, making other challenges seem larger and at the same time easier to face.
A moving and inspiring story.

Rating:
Summary: A delight
Review: This book is marvelous, not just because of the fascinating and moving story of Sophie's adoption, but also in how it sheds light on the particular dilemmas women face as mothers, daughters, teachers, writers. The chapter that focuses on the author's father is alone worth the price of the book. Meeting Sophie is sometimes sad, sometimes hilarious, always gutsy and beautiful. McCabe is truly a gifted writer.