Nobody Comes

by Anthony Cleary

This is the true story of the endeavour to find, extract and adopt an infant from an ‘orphanage’ in post revolutionary Romania in the face of opposition from the most unexpected quarters. Obstacles erected by both the UK and the Romanian authorities populate the route taken by the author, who recounts the poverty and ever present corruption in the aftermath of the revolution, the horrors of Orphanage Number One in Bucharest, the indifference of the civil servants in both countries to the plight of the infants, and the struggle to raise awareness in both jurisdictions of the damage being caused to the children by the delay caused by their obstruction.

The book also recounts the remarkable friendship which was forged with a Bucharest University graduate who offered his help as interpreter, guide and, ultimately, Godfather to the child who was rescued.

Genres: Nonfiction

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2014

About the author

Now a Circuit Judge, (formerly a District Judge, and historically a Solicitor by profession) I sit in Coventry County Court, and live in Warwickshire with my long suffering wife of 40 years, our son, and 5 cats.

Educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh and then Sheffield University, I initially flirted with the advertising industry, before I sensed that there was more to the world than Fairy Liquid and Kerrygold Butter. I might still be wrong.

I have written a good number of legal articles, and I am the General Editor of a major Family Law reference book, (The Family Court Practice) but Nobody Comes is my first venture into writing outside the Law.

I sing - both as a Cathedral Choral Clerk and with a small Early Music group, Hymnos. And I shoot, with rifles, at targets rather than animals.

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody Comes by Anthony Cleary

The true story of a couple from the UK trying to adopt a baby from Romania. A fast paced and very detailed account of the horrors and troubles they encountered trying to bring their adopted child back home.

At times I was saddened, especially by the living conditions of these "orphans". At other times I was appalled at the hardships that they went through with both Romanian officials and(shockingly) UK as well. It was a very memorable and heartfelt read. I recommend to those who enjoy true stories.

[Jim Dykstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to read, not due to the writing but because of the subject matter. The author chronicles the extremely difficult time he and his wife had in adopting a Romanian orphan. At times their struggle was so great and the description of the orphanages so horrifying I had to set the book aside. And while the story in this case has a good ending the reader wonders about the fate of all the other children not adopted. I would recommend this book.

[Jolene Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was extremely well-written and you could feel the frustration that the author must have felt with every obstacle. It was heart-wrenching to read about the conditions in the orphanages and how the children had stopped crying because "Nobody comes."

[Mark Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books that once you start reading you cannot put it down. I have to admit it took me just over a day to read, it gripped me that much. Don't think by that it is a small book, far from it.

Well written account of the adoption process the author went through to bring this little Romanian boy out of the 'hell' he was living in, stuck in a Romanian orphanage.
The account details the legal hoops the author had to go through here in the UK and in Romania, and the help he received, whilst back here in the UK, from a local man and his family.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Nobody comes is a true account of Anthony Cleary and his wife Carmel trying to adopt a Romanian child after the revolution against Romania's corrupt communist leader Ceausescu. They had witness horrible conditions on t.v. taking place in that country especially in the orphanages that sparked their desire to rescue a child. The book basically explains all the steps that Cleary had to go through to get a child out of Romania and into the UK. Like a lot of other books I have read the orphanages are in deplorable condition. The children are more abused than actually taken care of. It took a lot of help from a friend he made while getting the run around from both Romania and the UK. Getting anything done when in Romania took bribing with cigarettes,soap,toothpaste and even vodka. Did he get to adopt the child he found? You will have to read the book because I do not like to give away the ending. There were a few things that I did not understand about the situation. His wife did not do anything regarding the adoption. You would think if you wanted to be a mother you would put things on hold and go fight along with your husband. She really was only mentioned less than half a dozen times in the book. Also there was a part whan he had the child but instead of spending time with his possible new child he left it with a stranger for almost a week so he would not have to worry about looking after it and went sight seeing instead. I could not believe it. How bad did these people want to be parents? For those two reasons I had to drop it a star. If you are interested in this topic you would enjoy this book.

"A good indignation brings out all one's powers" ~ Emerson, Journals, 1841

(I recieved this book for a honest review from LibraryThing)

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching story is one to touch the heart. It was a difficult read because of the inhumanity exhibited towards the orphans throughout Romania. I was touched by the efforts of those outside the country who made valiant attempts to help the children in spite of all the red tape and unkindness involved.

[Tonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually loved this book. Anthony Cleary did a wonderful job portryaing what it was like trying to adopt a child from a different country. I felt like I was with him every step of the way. I cried, a few times. The only problem I had was the French speaking parts, I don't speak French so I had no idea what waas said. But very good book.

[Jenny Woehler · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful.

[Gary Craine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am proud to have met Dominic, the central character to this story. He is a kind, generous and thoughtful young man, who came from the most humble of beginnings in life. From the very start of this book, the author (Dominic's father) was on a mission - to act upon the compelling and shameful scenes that were unfolding on TV and via other media. As momentum builds, one can't help become gripped by the circumstances and challenges that arise. I won't spoil the end of the story...I hope you like reading this as much as I did!

[Tiffany McElmeel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad but good read

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. The author writes in such a way that the reader feels that we are going through all of the experiences with him. Sometimes I felt on the edge of my seat, waiting to learn what would happen next!

The book really highlights all of the bureaucratic issues that can arise when a parent is seeking to adopt-especially when the child is from another country (I kept thinking he might have had an easier time of it now, when foreign adoptions are so common). I found myself getting frustrated right along with him when he met brick wall after brick wall. I also really sympathized with little Dominic; especially after seeing the conditions he was being brought up in. I was glad to see that the author was successful in his attempts to adopt a child, but it made me sad for the thousands of others who are left to try and survive in the squalor of the orphanages.

I was happy to see an update on Bogdan, but would have also appreciated an update on Dominic. He'd be in his late 20's by now, and I'm curious to know if he's ever gone back to Romania, and what he's doing with his life.

I couldn't help but compare this book to "The Budapest House" as I read them back to back, and while "The Budapest House" was slow going and frustrating to read, "Nobody Comes" was fast paced, interesting and told by a (mostly) likable narrator. (I give him a pass on some of his less than stellar moments when he was clearly dealing with frustration at just about every turn).

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Romania, after the fall on Communism, life was bleak. It was bleaker still for the children living in Romania's orphanages. Anthony Cleary details his endeavor to adopt one child from such a hell on earth. He meets with bureaucratic obstacles at every turn, both in Romania and his home in the UK. When it wasn't laughable it was infuriating. Cleary's approach in relaying his efforts is journalistic in tone which works well for this true story.

I visited Romania in 2004. I found the country to be behind the times, but otherwise quite charming. It is hard to imagine that it was 14 years since Cleary had been there. Worse still, it is hard to know that the orphanages were still in existence.

[Jen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting topic. However, all of the information in the book could have been succinctly summarized in long magazine article. There were too many unnecessary and unimportant details included. Moreover, the book lacked character development.

It was as if the author kept a daily
journal and against the advice of a good editor, could not (or would not) cut out his minute and irrelevant experiences.

The author was clearly passionate about having a book written to educate readers about his experience. However, I ended up skimming the book just to find out the ending.

[Pam Marden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is about one British couple's struggles to adopt a Romanian child after the downfall of communism. At times I was so frustrated by the obstacles this couple faced and the conditions of the orphanages. My heart aches foe the children. I also had a lot of contempt for the British embassy who went out of their way to make things more difficult. A well written story, but is you're tender hearted, it's a bit of a difficult read.

[Coralie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a true story of a couple trying to adopt a child out of Romania in the early 1990's & the hardships he endured trying to adopt 1 child. The conditions these 100's of thousands of children live in is horrible & the way they are treated & he was just trying to get one child it was amazing he had to go through all of what he did & he was persistent. Excellent read.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has great insight into the challenges and barriers of international adoption. It is the true story of one British couple's adoption of a Romanian child soon after the fall of Communism in Romania. I always enjoy true stories, and this one did not fail to keep my attention.

[Kayla]

I read a little less than half, got to the part where children were introduced into his travels, and had to put it down. I'm sure it's great but I don't know what I was thinking reading about such a subject when I just had a baby.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written. Describes the horrors without resorting to sappy language. Gives a good sense of life in Romania after the iron curtain was gone. Would have liked more about raising his son after they got him to England, but maybe that is for another book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lawyer/judge tells about the frustrations he encountered as he and his wife sought to adopt a child from Romania. It is disturbing to know that so many children need help, and people who want to help them are thwarted at every step.

[Melani Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, man. This book takes me back to the days when I first learned about international adoption and the conditions of the orphanages in Romania. I was a teenager, and I KNEW I wanted to adopt one day. This is hard to take!

[Eva Enderle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard to give it 5 stars simply because of the horrific conditions reported. This quick read touched my heart and gave me insight into what my friends who pursue adoption might go through.

[Judyspadoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chose 5 because I did not want to stop reading. Descriptions of orphanages very graphic. this book is not for everyone becaues of graphic details.

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very enlightening. It was a fast read filled with horrible stories of the inside workings of foreign orphanages & yet very joyful to know there are people working for their betterment.

[Leann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written

[Lisa Givens · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clearly written, but sometimes hard to read the truth.

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So glad one child was saved. Thank you Anthony Cleary for the book.