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Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The Kid: What Happened After My Boyfriend and I Decided to Go Get Pregnant - Dan Savage



So on APW's recommendation I read The Commitment. And I hearted it (though it seems I never blogged about it). So like any obsessive reader I had to pick up more books by the same author.



I loved The Kid just as much. Savage is great at weaving his personal story with politics, humor and stats. Basically, Savage and his partner decide to become parents via open adoption and the book tells that story while educating the reader on adoption law, gay rights and Savage's relationship with his own family.


The story starts with Savage in the mire of negotiations to donate sperm to various lesbians. When things fall apart he and his partner go down the rabbit hole of adoption. It's an expensive hole full of paperwork. And straight people dealing with infertility. They end up matched with a homeless, pregnant street kid and finally, finally go home with a baby. Its an emotional experience but also a tedious legal proceding and a rather dull wait. Such is adoption, apparently. There's a lot to take in, and it's totally worth it.

I'd recommend this book to anyone who is interested in adoption, thinking about having kids or is passionate about social justice and finding homes for kids. Totally amusing and educational. My favorite combination.

1 comment:

miranda. said...

Did you review The Commitment? I don't remember reading it.

This book sounds interesting, and it reminds me that I should probably get back to The Girls Who Went Away (y'know, the whole adoption thing). But since I just got my Nook I'm still obsessed with the novelty of it. I'm currently reading an Elizabeth Taylor biography nookbook, and I'll probably get back to Girls when I'm done.