Part 1 of 5

I’ve hit the jackpot lately with adoption-themed books. First there was Theresa Reid’s terrific memoir, "Two Little Girls" (see my review and a 5-part series).

Now, there’s Leslie Gould’s adoption-themed novels, "Beyond the Blue" and "Scrap Everything." Leslie and her husband, Peter, have three birth children and a daughter whom they adopted from Vietnam.

Two Storylines: One Cohesive Plot
Beyond the Blue chronicles an American family and a Vietnamese family whose lives intersect through adoption. The first part of the book disconcerted me a little, as it takes place between 1975 and 1999. But even with a 24-year timespan, I felt as if I got to know the characters adequately.

The bulk of the story takes place between 1999-2001, when Gen and her husband Jeff travel to Vietnam in hopes of adopting a child. The narrative explores some significant reasons why Gen and Jeff (who live in Oregon) decide to adopt from Vietnam.

Paralleling this storyline is the narrative of Lan, who at age 8, becomes a refugee of sorts when the Viet Cong ousts her family from their home. She and her mother are forced to eke out a living on the streets of Vung Tau, a misfortune that shapes the course of Lan’s life.

Preachy? Nope
Many of the novel’s characters are Christian, but they don’t come across as sickly-sweet, holier-than-thou, or preachy. They’re just everyday people whose faith underscores their lives.

Predictable? Nope
Most adoption fiction I read is fairly predictable: Someone decides to adopt; they get oh-so-close to adopting and then the birth mother changes her mind. In the end, the adoption ends up happening and everyone (the adoptive family, at least) lives happily ever after. Little attention is paid to the feelings of the birth mother.

That’s where Beyond the Blue is different. More than any adoption fiction I’ve read, this novel pays close attention to the emotions of Lan, the woman who considers releasing her children for adoption. Yes, Lan is poverty-stricken. Yes, she’s uneducated. Yes, she has few options in life. But for many women who live in developing countries, that is life. It’s not stereotypical; it’s typical.

Believable? Yep
The author does a fantastic job of creating Lan as a believable, human character who readers will root for regardless of whether she decides to release her children for adoption. Throughout the story, Gen and Lan experience plenty of heart-stopping moments that will keep readers riveted.

I highly recommend this novel for anyone considering adoption, particularly for those pursuing international adoption. It provides deeper insights into the love a birth mother has for her children than any adoption-themed novel I’ve read.


In the next post: An interview with author, Leslie Gould