An Unlit Path

by Deborah L. Hannah

What happens when love is not enough? A true story of one family's journey, although tragic, it raises awareness to the inherent risks and rewards of adoption and foster care.

Genres: Adoption

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2006

Reviews

[Stacy Willoughby · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a foster adopt parent for 15 years, I can see how every bit of this story could have happened. I remember our 1st foster parent classes, and I told the trainer it seemed like they were giving us the worst case scenarios. And she said "If we can scare you off, we want to." I understand now what she meant. This task is not for the faint hearted. But at the same time, we as Christians are called to care for the orphan. To die to self daily, to love unconditionally, to forgive others, to pray for those who persecute us and despitefully use us. Though this book is sad in many regards, it points us back to forgiveness and deep rooted faith in God. Without which, none of us could make it in this world. Thank you Deborah Hannah, for sharing your story and creating awareness. The system & the children are broken, love & time alone does not heal all wounds. Only the Healer Himself, can begin to touch those deep places of pain we who do this job, know all too well.

[Mercurybard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if "Really Liked It" is a good description of my feelings for this frankly horrifying book.

It's written as a warning for adoptive parents, and through their battles with Cain's RAD, I was going "blah blah blah, read this online over and over". But when they got to the point where Johnny revealed Marissa had been sexually abusing him for years, it was a new kind of wake up call.

What did amaze me was that Johnny and Cain both ended up in residential treatment centers, something I've been made to understand is very hard to accomplish due to lack of funds and the government's idiotic idea that the best place for the dangerously mentally ill is at home with their defenseless families.

[Sarah Larson anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't agree with all of her theology, however her life and ours is VERY similar. I'll be recommending this book to many people with several caveats. (theology being the major one the others are in relation to my/our story)

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The definition of 2 stars on this site is "it was okay". And that's about what I can say. The introduction to the book made it seem like the mom had cracked under all of the pressure and had to be committed. The rest of the story and the intro to each chapter supported this idea.

If you're interested in fostering/adoption, you might want to read this. If you're not--I wouldn't highly recommend it. It's heartbreaking and without a really redemptive ending.