Beyond the Blue

by Leslie Gould

Two Worlds. Two Women. One Love.

In 1975, an American girl named Genevieve loses her mother when a plane full of orphans crashes in war-ravaged Vietnam. Miles away in the countryside, seven-year-old Lan, a Vietnamese girl, is forced out of her family home by her own brother who has joined the Viet Cong. Worlds apart, these two girls come into womanhood struggling to recover a sense of family–until their journeys suddenly converge.

Lan has grown up in the harsh realities of post-war Vietnam, but she yearns for a better life for her children. Meanwhile, Genevieve marries and, faced with infertility, decides to adopt a child from the country her own mother loved so deeply. But the uncertainty and risk of international adoption threatens to overwhelm both women before their hearts and their families can be healed.

Beyond the Blue is the story of enormous losses, unthinkable choices, and the transforming power of God's love for the children of the world.

Genres: Fiction, Christian Fiction, Young Adult, Christian

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Leslie Gould is the #1 bestselling and Christy Award-winning author of fifty novels. She received her MFA in 2009 and has taught writing on the university level. Leslie enjoys traveling, hiking, and history. She and her husband, Peter, are the parents of four adult children and two grandbabies. Visit her at http://www.lesliegould.com/.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iwasn't sure that I was going to like this book after I bought it, but decided to give it a try and really enjoyed so much that I could literally not put it down once I started reading. I just had to see what happened next. Definitely got choked up a couple of times. Would definitely like to read more by this author.

The stories of Gen and Lan intertwine in such an amazing way. The story is fiction but based on lots of true information gathered from various sources. The novel follows both girls from their very different childhoods (starting around the age of 8-9) and follows them through adulthood.
Gen lost her mother in a plane crash in Vietnam in 1975. Her mother was on one of the airlifts taking orphans out of South Vietnam before it fell to the communists. She and her husband desperately want a family and must turn to adoption. Lan and her mother are forced from their home by her older brother who is fighting with the Viet Cong. Her situation goes from bad to worse and she longs to give her children a better life than she has had.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was one of the best books I have read. As a mother I felt sad for one mother but happy on the other hand for the other mother. This book is a must read.

[Phillipstribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down! Wonderful story of Love, loss, strength, Faith, and trusting God!!!

[Kriste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow - great book about loss, infertility, international adoption.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie's first book - Garden of Dreams - was nice, but this one just blew me out of the water the first time I read it. I've always wanted to adopt, so the subject matter truly spoke to me. The way she captures the emotional aspects of both the mother giving up her children as well as the mother wanting to adopt the children is magnificent.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing story of international adoption. I love the emphasis on God's power, strength and purpose behind catastrophic events. How He uses us to make a difference in the lives of others, beyond our control. This is an extraordinary story of faith and motherhood and I highly recommend it. I didn't know much about Vietnam before reading this book, but now I long to know more.

[Denise Glisson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very good. I was young during the Vietnam War so didn't really know much about things. Like the characters in the story, I too went through so many emotions reading this book. I liked learning about the adoption process and culture. Leslie did a wonderful job personalyzing both "mothers" in the story.

[Susan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touching story of a couple attempting to adopt children from Vietnam, as told from the viewpoints of both the would-be mother and the birth mother, who struggles to decide what is best for her children. Heart-wrenching at times, tense at times, realistic about the heartache and challenges that go with adoptions. I had trouble putting it down as the characters and story line kept pulling at me to keep reading.

[Teresa Nasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

2025 Challenge 2: Around the World in books. January: Vietnam

Having enjoyed learning about Vietnam in The Women and wanting to keep the January challenge going, I explored the Avid Readers of CF for recommendations of CF books set in Vietnam. As usual, I was not disappointed. Beyond the Blue immediately grabbed my attention.

This story deals with international adoption, more specifically from Vietnam. Although I could not relate to such a topic, it was completely engrossing. Loved it.

[Pankachu102 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of two mothers, one from American (Gen Taylor) seeking to adopt and one from Vietnam (Tran Van Lan) forced to relinquish her children for their own good. This novel goes into the stress and joy of international adoption and provides insight into the daily lives of those in Vietnam.

Overall, an interesting read. If you aren’t Christian and get annoyed when He’s mentioned a lot, don’t read this book: faith and trusting God is an overarching theme throughout.

[Carlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting story about the Vietnaum war, and the casualties of the people left behind. Sad but hard to put down. Also dealing with the way the childerenwere treated in the orphanges, and the mis use of the directors and politians envolved.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engrossing novel about the complications and emotional journeys of both sides involved in international adoption from Vietnam. The author’s descriptive writing made it almost seem like watching a movie.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

didn't want to put down. it was that good

[Jeanne Modisett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story of the trials and triumphs of international adoption.

[Yolanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this a 3.5, I became weary with all this family had to go through and I do realize life is not perfect. If I was going through the process of adoption, I don't know how I would feel reading this, whether it would be encouraging or discouraging. But I am glad that I read this novel that could very easily be true.

[Tamia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read in a long time. It demonstrates the emotions of both sides of an overseas adoption. I feel like I have a bias on this since my sister has two children whom she adopted from Vietnam... plus I've visited Vietnam. The book described the country so well. I loved the book, and couldn't put it down.

[Alecia D · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not quite sure why but I loved this book. I really connected with one of the main characters and found the whole story very gripping. I basically read it in one day because I had to know what happened with the adoption. It is sad but moving and the ideas in it really resonated with me. Great book!

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book focused on a different subject matter than books I normally pick up. I did enjoy it, but I would probably rate it a 3 1/2. At times predictable, but thought- provoking as well. It made we want to learn more about the current living conditions in Vietnam. I was also interested in reading a story about adoption, knowing it is fiction, but the story ended at the halfway point for me.

[Tracie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie Gould expertly weaves together the stories of two families in Beyond the Blue. The setting comes alive with sensory details so the reader experiences the sights and sounds of Vietnam. The author portrays the emotion and dilemmas parents face on both sides of international adoption. Intense, thoughtful, captivating--Leslie Gould has written a book to be savored.

[Hippiemouse420 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was disappointed when I saw the "Christian Fiction" label on the book. But, I'm glad I decided to try it anyway, because it was a great book. Also, even though it dealt with another culture, it wasn't preachy in any way--a pleasant surprise.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned so much about life in Vietnam after the war in the 60s and how things that happened then are still affecting families. The story of international adoption brought out a lot of the details I wouldn't have thought of. What a labor of love!

[Kate Breslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book! Kept me teary eyed with such a powerful subject. I felt Leslie's depiction of Viet Nam and its people both fascinating and poignant. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has experienced love and loss, and/or the heartbreaking rewards of being a parent.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a mom who has adopted internationally and been through some equally terrifying experiences in a foreign land with INS, this book almost hit too close to home. The author did a beautiful job of setting up both sides of the adoption process, heartbreakingly lovely.

[Melinda Bollinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book took me a while to get through. I cried a lot thinking about and reading about all the mother and child went through. Made me very thankful for all that I have today. It really opened my eyes to what is going on the world today. Very long book but so worth the read.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about a couple adopting from Vietnam. The book follows the American woman and Vietnamese woman from the time they're both young. Highly recommend and own if anyone wants to read it.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very touching and emotional story about a womens struggles to adopt 2 Vietnamese children.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

for those with a heart to adopt this is a must book!! by page 10 i was in tears and in love!

[Holly]

This book is about ADOPTION!!! Who wouldn't love that?

[Cleone]

A wonderful book. I couldn't put it down. It helped me relive my times in VietNam and my daughter's adoption of two Vietnemese children. This author captured my feelings.

[Chickadee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book!