Losing Isaiah

by Seth Margolis

Two loving mothers come into painful emotional confilct with each other as Selma Richards, a former crack addict rebuilding her life, tries to reclaim her son Isaiah after Margaret Lewin, an upper middle-class woman, has adopted him. Lit Guild.

Genres: Fiction, Media Tie In

374 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1993

About the author

Seth is a writer whose most recent novel, THE SEMPER SONNET, will be published on April 19. He is the author of six earlier novels, including LOSING ISAIAH, which was made into a film starring Halle Berry and Jessica Lange.

Seth lives with his wife, Carole, in New York City. They have two grown children, Maggie and Jack. Seth received a BA in English from the University of Rochester and an MBA in marketing from New York University’s Stern School of Business Administration. When not writing fiction, he is a branding consultant for a wide range of companies, primarily in the financial services, technology and pharmaceutical industries. He has written articles for the New York Times and other publications on travel and entertainment.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

got this evening at a goodwill store for .99 cents

[Abril Camino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho esta novela que plantea un dilema: tras una adopción irregular, ¿debe un niño de tres años volver con su madre biológica o permanecer en la familia con la que lleva desde que nació? A partir de ahí, se entretejen historias familiares complicadas y una lucha legal cuya resolución no deja indiferente. Si no son cinco estrellas es porque, después de una novela bastante larga, me pareció que el final se resolvía de un modo algo abrupto.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book right up until the end. I was torn between the two mothers and the child and did not at all agree with the decisions that the judge and society made. A child's family is not determined by the colour of his skin, just as a spouse should not be decided based on his race> Love is suppose to trensend colour, there is a reason that Love is blind because seeing someone for who they are has nothing to do with how they look. Of course both mothers could have a role in this child's life and the fact that the biological mother left her child alone,did not bother to visit him in intensive care and gave him away must have consequences. Every action has a reaction and in the end it is the child that pays

[Danielle Heron Gillim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite book. Hard to decipher who is right and wrong and what the outcome should be.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book, but I just couldn’t envision Margaret as an avid hospital volunteer who desperately wanted more children. The lack of being able to buy into how the illegal adoption happened in the first place made becoming emotionally attached to any of these characters really difficult. Also Margaret and Charles lack of ability to communicate with one another about the affair drove me absolutely crazy!

[P.S. Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a touching story that tackles some hard subjects, when Selma Richards, tries to get her son back. Isaiah was adopted by Margaret Lewin, because Selma was a crack addict. Readers are lucky to join in the struggle that happens.

[Glenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother it was difficult to read. Giving up your child because you have problems of your own. And then wanting him back when you've cleaned up your act. Wondering if you're doing the right thing.

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I was adopted,and the notion that the birth mother can come and get me back is absurd. I am not happy with the ending. Margaret is Isaiah’s mother not Selma. Just because they’re the same color,doesn’t mean she should have won

[Isabel Paiva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reli agora, é interessante. A mãe natural é mãe adotiva lutam para ficar com o filho, de dois anos e meio. Ténis a perspectiva de ambas na história, e sentimos que ambas merecem ficar com o filho. Mas será para a juíza decidir

[Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

understand book

[Danielle Mintzlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad she got him back.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very touching story, I liked seeing how it all went. The ending was very satisfying as well.

[Rora Georgeo]

I thought Losing Isaiah was great.The beginning may be a little boring but once you read more than 20 pages you will get hooked. In every other chapter it would explain the birth mother(Selma)perspective and the rest of the chapters the adopted mother(Margaret).I would definitely recommend this book to others because it has a lot of drama which I liked. The author describes the drama perfectly. If you were looking to read book about crack and looking for a quick read then you should really read this book. But I would rate this book a four out of five because the beginning kind of just killed it for me. However the ending is wonderful this book thought me a lot.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great book! It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and even though you feel completely supportive of one family, you still find ways to sympathize with the other. I still felt the same in the end as I did in the beginning, however, it may be different for each reader.

The author keeps you holding your breath and turning each page even when you KNOW that you need to be getting some sleep. I would recommend this book to anyone!

[Kynnedi Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching book about two women, Margret Lewin & Selma Richards fighting for the love that they both share for a little boy named Isaiah is heartwarming, and kinda sad. It takes you through two different lifestyles and makes you see what its like to be the two women. This is a very good book & I highly recommend it.

[Toni Umar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that I read long ago but could not put down. You are torn between the right 'Mum' for the little boy Isiah, this book illustrates well both sides of the story. Very moving and full of emotion - i was often having a quiet weep!

[Joyce Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having seen the movie before reading the book, I must admit I liked the movie better than the book. The both are very dissimilar. A lot was different. Bsically, the characters' names and the plot were the same, but that was it.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this book. I got sucked in but was also so frustrated with some of the characters that I wasn't sure who to root for.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad book. I sympathized with both families but ultimately thought Isaiah should have stayed with the Lewins.

[Laura Bingner · Rating 2 out of 5]

not worth the time

[Sangeeta Mangubhai · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit slow for me, did not the writing style and the ending was a little flat.