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Family Tree
Dana Clarke has always longed for the stability of home and family—her own childhood was not an easy one. Now she has married a man she adores who is from a prominent New England family, and she is about to give birth to their first child. But what should be the happiest day of her life becomes the day her world falls apart. Her daughter is born beautiful and healthy, but no one can help noticing the African American traits in her appearance. Dana’s husband, to her great shock and dismay, begins to worry that people will think Dana has had an affair.
The only way to repair the damage done is for Dana to track down the father she never knew and to explore the possibility of African American lineage in his family history. Dana’s determination to discover the truth becomes a poignant journey back through her past and her husband’s heritage that unearths secrets rooted in prejudice and fear.
Barbara Delinsky’s Family Tree is an utterly unforgettable novel that asks penetrating questions about race, family, and the choices people make in times of crisis—choices that have profound consequences that can last for generations.
The only way to repair the damage done is for Dana to track down the father she never knew and to explore the possibility of African American lineage in his family history. Dana’s determination to discover the truth becomes a poignant journey back through her past and her husband’s heritage that unearths secrets rooted in prejudice and fear.
Barbara Delinsky’s Family Tree is an utterly unforgettable novel that asks penetrating questions about race, family, and the choices people make in times of crisis—choices that have profound consequences that can last for generations.
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2007
419 people are currently reading
3151 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
308 books4,357 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,192 reviews
February 22, 2008
This is one of those books that could have been SO good. Two white parents, have a baby....she's awfully African American looking....hmmm.. let the fun begin. But it was so annoying and borderline offensive I nearly didn't finish it. The "startling surprise" was so predictable you can see it coming a mile away. The side story about the snobby knitter was unnecessary and had no real impact on the story except to make it longer. As the mother of three beautiful bi-racial children, I am intrigued by the genetics of it all. Do I find it interesting that two of my children are obviously mixed race and one looks completely white? Sure. Do I sit around like these people do and worry about how they will ever survive their skin colors? NOOOOOO. Of course racism still exists. Of course my children notice skin color and difference. Is that all that defines them? According to these characters, it sure does. But really? No. I was appalled by the characters' lack of depth. I'm thinking this was a subject this author knew too little about to actually tackle. I'm really annoyed I spent money on this book and didn't get it from the library. Anyone want to buy a book?
February 26, 2008
This book was bad on so many levels, I'm not sure where to begin. The characters were flat, unsympathetic, and completely stereotypical. (A bit ironic, given that I *think* the point was an observation of race relations and perceptions.) The writing was ok at best, with the dialog often coming across as forced. The plot was completely unbelievable from page 1 to the end.
I don't give books such scathing reviews lightly, so let me delve into some details...
I'm afraid I was completely unable to suspend disbelief while reading this book. Beginning with the first chapter, in which a woman's water has broken and they linger for a very long time before getting around to leaving for the hospital.
I did try to set that minor point aside when we got to the punch line -- this lily white couple has given birth to an African American baby, complete with curly black hair and brown skin. I did understand that the point of the book was that there had been no affair and that hidden African traits had come together to create this highly improbable baby, but when the idea that the woman had cheated barely came up, I lost all faith in the book.
I am not convinced that it's possible for this genetic pairing to come up. I could find no precedent (although plenty of mixed and black couples have had white babies) save terrible fertility clinic swaps. There does seem to be one case in South Africa where a darker skinned child of a white couple was caught up in the racism there, but in that case the genes came from both parents and she did not also have the traditional hair, which is a separate gene (probably more than one separate gene...I did learn that skin color is based on 7 different genes and that it is one of those traits that blend rather than having one gene express itself while the other lies dormant).
This novel tries to suggest that after 3 generations and with no help from the other parent, a baby might suddenly come up with brown skin and curly African hair.
At best, this is so utterly improbable that the first question should logically be: Did she cheat?
It wasn't for most of the characters in this book and I just didn't buy that. I don't care how good and pure this woman was, in real life there is no omniscient narrator to tell us what's inside someone else's head and heart. The odds of someone not being who we thought they were are a million times higher than the odds of several genes (these features would take more than one) suddenly springing to life without pairing up.
I may even have tried to suspend disbelief about the genetics part had the woman been alone in her knowledge that she did not cheat while she sustained cruel ridicule and accusations from everyone. Maybe...it's still awfully hard to swallow. :=)
There is eventually a paternity test, but only because the baby's father is influenced by his family to get one. These stereotypical rich people are the only ones who seem inclined to believe the woman may have cheated. The father himself never really believes that his wife has cheated, although he has a moment.
The mother's family and friends are instantly accepting of the situation. They were not racists or bigots.
The father's wealthy family and friends were instantly judgmental. They were racists and bigots.
Awfully black and white for me.
And, if all that isn't bad enough, I found myself actually looking up whether or not this author had ever had a baby. The mother's grandmother is injured and with a one-week-old baby, she takes her place at a family-owned shop. The baby just lies in a cradle between feedings. The feedings themselves don't seem to take much time or effort. I don't know...I admit that I haven't met all the babies in the world to know if there are any who would do that, but that experience is so radically different from my own newborn experience (which was just 2 years ago) that I occasionally found myself yelling at the book.
The entire newborn experience was off, especially for a first time mom. Sleep deprivation barely came up and didn't seem to have any impact on the characters or plot.
If I had not been reading this book for a book club, I would not have finished it.
I don't give books such scathing reviews lightly, so let me delve into some details...
I'm afraid I was completely unable to suspend disbelief while reading this book. Beginning with the first chapter, in which a woman's water has broken and they linger for a very long time before getting around to leaving for the hospital.
I did try to set that minor point aside when we got to the punch line -- this lily white couple has given birth to an African American baby, complete with curly black hair and brown skin. I did understand that the point of the book was that there had been no affair and that hidden African traits had come together to create this highly improbable baby, but when the idea that the woman had cheated barely came up, I lost all faith in the book.
I am not convinced that it's possible for this genetic pairing to come up. I could find no precedent (although plenty of mixed and black couples have had white babies) save terrible fertility clinic swaps. There does seem to be one case in South Africa where a darker skinned child of a white couple was caught up in the racism there, but in that case the genes came from both parents and she did not also have the traditional hair, which is a separate gene (probably more than one separate gene...I did learn that skin color is based on 7 different genes and that it is one of those traits that blend rather than having one gene express itself while the other lies dormant).
This novel tries to suggest that after 3 generations and with no help from the other parent, a baby might suddenly come up with brown skin and curly African hair.
At best, this is so utterly improbable that the first question should logically be: Did she cheat?
It wasn't for most of the characters in this book and I just didn't buy that. I don't care how good and pure this woman was, in real life there is no omniscient narrator to tell us what's inside someone else's head and heart. The odds of someone not being who we thought they were are a million times higher than the odds of several genes (these features would take more than one) suddenly springing to life without pairing up.
I may even have tried to suspend disbelief about the genetics part had the woman been alone in her knowledge that she did not cheat while she sustained cruel ridicule and accusations from everyone. Maybe...it's still awfully hard to swallow. :=)
There is eventually a paternity test, but only because the baby's father is influenced by his family to get one. These stereotypical rich people are the only ones who seem inclined to believe the woman may have cheated. The father himself never really believes that his wife has cheated, although he has a moment.
The mother's family and friends are instantly accepting of the situation. They were not racists or bigots.
The father's wealthy family and friends were instantly judgmental. They were racists and bigots.
Awfully black and white for me.
And, if all that isn't bad enough, I found myself actually looking up whether or not this author had ever had a baby. The mother's grandmother is injured and with a one-week-old baby, she takes her place at a family-owned shop. The baby just lies in a cradle between feedings. The feedings themselves don't seem to take much time or effort. I don't know...I admit that I haven't met all the babies in the world to know if there are any who would do that, but that experience is so radically different from my own newborn experience (which was just 2 years ago) that I occasionally found myself yelling at the book.
The entire newborn experience was off, especially for a first time mom. Sleep deprivation barely came up and didn't seem to have any impact on the characters or plot.
If I had not been reading this book for a book club, I would not have finished it.
October 22, 2010
As I look over the reviews for this novel at Goodreads, I'm shocked by just how negative so many of them are. But, as I looked over the "rating details," a small fact became clear to me. This book is "front-loaded" with negative reviews because so many people have liked those reviews. In all, only 3% of the reviewers gave this book one star, but six of the first ten reviews I saw were one star. This seems especially bizarre considering that 14% of reviewers gave the book five stars.
Also, I as I read these reviews, I couldn't help but ask myself a very serious question: hadn't any of these reviewers ever read Kate Chopin's short story Desiree's Baby? Any novel predicated on the idea of two ostensibly white parents giving birth to a child that is visibly black is paying homage to Chopin.
As for the novel itself, I have to say that it wasn't bad. As my three star review indicates, I liked it. It's the story of Dana Clarke and her husband, Hugh, in the weeks following the birth of their daughter, Lizzie. As the novel opens, Dana wakes from a disturbing dream to discover that her water has broken. She's strangely passive as her husband shuttles her out the door (it's a good thing he acted as he did--she gave birth within six hours!). Delinsky has Dana pause in the baby's room on their way out of the house, and in lengthy exposition, Delinsky describes the nursery in great detail. This pause, while irritating, is also important. Dana has a moment to reflect on all of the changes that are about to arrive in her life, and she has a pause where she wonders if she really wants to enter this phase of her life. It's only a pause; she and her husband want the baby, but it's an important realization that they have no idea what it will mean to be parents.
Once Lizzie is born, the characters find themselves in a crisis. Lizzie is obviously of African American descent. They have no idea where these genes have come from; Hugh's ancestry is well-researched. Dana's father is unknown, so they assume the genes came from him. They feel compelled to find an answer, as their friends and neighbors start to whisper that maybe Dana wasn't that faithful after all . . . Horrified by these rumors, Hugh gets a paternity test. He's certain that Dana has been faithful, and he wants to use the test to prove that point. However, he fails to understand that even asking for a test is a betrayal, and as the days move on, a rift gradually opens in their marriage.
There are a number of plot-lines throughout the novel, but the only story that matters is that of Lizzie and her parents. Hugh is a lawyer, representing a client pro bono in a paternity case against a senator. Their neighbor has a biracial daughter, and she's feeling anxiety about her place in the world. Hugh's father finds himself in a moral dilemma about his work. The outcome of these stories doesn't ultimately matter that much. The big question of the novel is simple:
Can you live by what you say? Are your speeches only empty rhetoric, or do you live the life that you talk about?
Any other questions are secondary, and as Hugh and Dana begin their life as Lizzie, they find that they must discover if they can meet the challenge of being the people they want to be.
Also, I as I read these reviews, I couldn't help but ask myself a very serious question: hadn't any of these reviewers ever read Kate Chopin's short story Desiree's Baby? Any novel predicated on the idea of two ostensibly white parents giving birth to a child that is visibly black is paying homage to Chopin.
As for the novel itself, I have to say that it wasn't bad. As my three star review indicates, I liked it. It's the story of Dana Clarke and her husband, Hugh, in the weeks following the birth of their daughter, Lizzie. As the novel opens, Dana wakes from a disturbing dream to discover that her water has broken. She's strangely passive as her husband shuttles her out the door (it's a good thing he acted as he did--she gave birth within six hours!). Delinsky has Dana pause in the baby's room on their way out of the house, and in lengthy exposition, Delinsky describes the nursery in great detail. This pause, while irritating, is also important. Dana has a moment to reflect on all of the changes that are about to arrive in her life, and she has a pause where she wonders if she really wants to enter this phase of her life. It's only a pause; she and her husband want the baby, but it's an important realization that they have no idea what it will mean to be parents.
Once Lizzie is born, the characters find themselves in a crisis. Lizzie is obviously of African American descent. They have no idea where these genes have come from; Hugh's ancestry is well-researched. Dana's father is unknown, so they assume the genes came from him. They feel compelled to find an answer, as their friends and neighbors start to whisper that maybe Dana wasn't that faithful after all . . . Horrified by these rumors, Hugh gets a paternity test. He's certain that Dana has been faithful, and he wants to use the test to prove that point. However, he fails to understand that even asking for a test is a betrayal, and as the days move on, a rift gradually opens in their marriage.
There are a number of plot-lines throughout the novel, but the only story that matters is that of Lizzie and her parents. Hugh is a lawyer, representing a client pro bono in a paternity case against a senator. Their neighbor has a biracial daughter, and she's feeling anxiety about her place in the world. Hugh's father finds himself in a moral dilemma about his work. The outcome of these stories doesn't ultimately matter that much. The big question of the novel is simple:
Can you live by what you say? Are your speeches only empty rhetoric, or do you live the life that you talk about?
Any other questions are secondary, and as Hugh and Dana begin their life as Lizzie, they find that they must discover if they can meet the challenge of being the people they want to be.
January 11, 2008
This book took two seconds to read but Ms. Delinksy should have done some research on the Black experience because this woman has absolutely no clue about it as evident with her latest novel. I found myself laughing at the ridiculousness of the dialogue between characters and the author's misinformed ideas of what it means to be Black/African-American. In this day in age does anyone really believe the one drop rule? Who goes around saying I'm 1/16 black so I need to redefine who I am completely. Seriously, it's not just about DNA or skin color it's about community, family, culture that determines your preception of yourself the people around you and society. If you do not see yourself as a person of color nor do you feel any connection to the culture or community of these races be it Hispanic, Asian, Black, American Indian (or a mixture of all things in between) then being 100%, 50% or 10% of any race means ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! And was I the only one completely annoyed by the fact that every "Black" character in this book had either one White parent or was only 1/4 or 1/8 or 1/16 Black? Give me a break!
April 10, 2011
I don't understand all the poor reviews. Being a child of a mixed heritage, I wasn't offended at all.
The book is about a white couple conceiving a black baby. Everyone's shocked of course and throwing around accusations and suggestions.
The father of the baby, Hugh is from a well-known and very wealthy family with a history of trying to help the minority races of America as well as being overly proud of their "white" heritage. Hypocrisy at it's best. The mother of the baby, Dana has little knowledge of her family and so, obviously the baby's funny colouring had to have come from her.
The novel follows the lives of the married couple, their family, friends and even neighbours; uncovering all the skeletons that everyone seemed to have locked up in their closets.
I enjoyed the read and gave it five stars because not once was I bored enough to put it down. Don't get me wrong, it annoyed me a little that they kept circling the "black" and "white" issue with so much fuss. I would have thought after the DNA test, everyone would be settled enough to know that either Dana or Hugh had descended from someone black but noooo... somehow, being black was almost like the end of the world.
Anyway, I still stick with my five stars review. Call me "generous" but I think the novel is worth it.
The book is about a white couple conceiving a black baby. Everyone's shocked of course and throwing around accusations and suggestions.
The father of the baby, Hugh is from a well-known and very wealthy family with a history of trying to help the minority races of America as well as being overly proud of their "white" heritage. Hypocrisy at it's best. The mother of the baby, Dana has little knowledge of her family and so, obviously the baby's funny colouring had to have come from her.
The novel follows the lives of the married couple, their family, friends and even neighbours; uncovering all the skeletons that everyone seemed to have locked up in their closets.
I enjoyed the read and gave it five stars because not once was I bored enough to put it down. Don't get me wrong, it annoyed me a little that they kept circling the "black" and "white" issue with so much fuss. I would have thought after the DNA test, everyone would be settled enough to know that either Dana or Hugh had descended from someone black but noooo... somehow, being black was almost like the end of the world.
Anyway, I still stick with my five stars review. Call me "generous" but I think the novel is worth it.
November 24, 2007
If it were possible to give less than 1 star I would. The writing style was like a stoned high schooler writing the day before a paper was due. Things were thrown in that had nothing to do with the story, I am guessing it was to keep the "mystery" going but it didnt.
The statement from the incredibly waspy woman "I am african american" actually made me laugh.
I recommended this book to my husband just so he could see how bad it was, he didnt make it through the first chapter.
The statement from the incredibly waspy woman "I am african american" actually made me laugh.
I recommended this book to my husband just so he could see how bad it was, he didnt make it through the first chapter.
September 8, 2008
A potboiler in the worst sense of the word. This book is deeply offensive in its dramatization of mixed race parentage as a crisis worth 39 chapters of hand-wringing.
Hugh and Dana, the married couple that form the center of this novel, are Splenda characters: noxiously sweet. I don't buy it for a second that Dana is "underprivileged" compared to her pure-blood husband—working at a yarn shop on the Cape (or wherever) with your grandmother does not a working class boho make. The birth of their "copper-toned" child causes a tsunami of angst in the family, provoking hushed conversations about how this one-drop baby's life is going to be ruined FOREVER (FOREVER!). Dana's paternity has been shrouded in secrecy, so she assumes she's the carrier of African-American blood. This leads her to proclaim that she is "African-American" on every other page, despite repeated descriptions of Dana's flowing blond hair and twinkling blue eyes.
I'm sorry, Dana. It doesn't really work that way. Race is as much a social construction as a genetic one, and your interior-designing, knitting self cannot call yourself black while you upbraid your husband for being racist and expect me to sympathize with your carnivalesque racial circus. But then again, Dana's grandmother realizes that her late husband was an accidental bigot (as in, he neglected to make sure he legally divorced his ex-wife before marrying again), and it gives her a stroke. So apparently thin-skinned over-dramatic responses to non-crises runs in the family.
Seriously, even if you're looking for a mindless beach read, don't read this.
Hugh and Dana, the married couple that form the center of this novel, are Splenda characters: noxiously sweet. I don't buy it for a second that Dana is "underprivileged" compared to her pure-blood husband—working at a yarn shop on the Cape (or wherever) with your grandmother does not a working class boho make. The birth of their "copper-toned" child causes a tsunami of angst in the family, provoking hushed conversations about how this one-drop baby's life is going to be ruined FOREVER (FOREVER!). Dana's paternity has been shrouded in secrecy, so she assumes she's the carrier of African-American blood. This leads her to proclaim that she is "African-American" on every other page, despite repeated descriptions of Dana's flowing blond hair and twinkling blue eyes.
I'm sorry, Dana. It doesn't really work that way. Race is as much a social construction as a genetic one, and your interior-designing, knitting self cannot call yourself black while you upbraid your husband for being racist and expect me to sympathize with your carnivalesque racial circus. But then again, Dana's grandmother realizes that her late husband was an accidental bigot (as in, he neglected to make sure he legally divorced his ex-wife before marrying again), and it gives her a stroke. So apparently thin-skinned over-dramatic responses to non-crises runs in the family.
Seriously, even if you're looking for a mindless beach read, don't read this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 5, 2007
Okay, I am torn about what I want to write about this book. First off, I did enjoy it. It was an easy read and entertaining. Did I love it, no. Why? Although the story was good, the characters were lacking depth. They were shallow. I couldn’t connect with them. The author introduced them but left us wanting more. For example, Corinne, whose husband was arrested for fraud… Okay- and? We were left wanting more. Also, Ali’s mother had this useless Cameo appearance. It was so unnecessary. And what about Crystal and her son?! Delinksy didn’t even write about Hugh telling Crystal that she was going to get the money for her son. I just feel that Delinsky left so many strings untied. This story had the potential to be a five star but fell short. It almost felt like I was reading a rough draft manuscript.
June 23, 2007
Brief Synopsis: Happily married Caucasian couple has baby with disctinctly African-American features. Husband knows his family lineage (he is a Mayflower descendant); the wife knows nothing about her father other than his name. Like the movie "Crash" this makes you wonder about your feelings and brings up a lot of interesting issues. Setting: Coastal New England town, present day. Read in one sitting. I had been disappointed with several of this author's last few books but this subject matter interested me so much that I found this ARC on eBay. I devoured it the day I got it, finishing it in the wee hours. Very thought-provoking.
December 30, 2007
I really disliked this book. It seemed unrealistic to me that a situation like this would create such controversy. The main premise is that a fairly young couple welcomes a new arrival into their lives only to find that it doesn't look like either one of them and more specifically, that it's skin is darker than theirs. I found the stereotypical characters vaguely offensive and the writing rather weak. I would go into more detail, but it's just not worth it. Read it, if you want to shut off your brain for a few hours.
March 10, 2009
I picked this book up at Costco without having heard anything about it before. Total judgment of a book by its cover, but the description on the back of a white couple who unexpectedly give birth to a black baby intrigued me. This was an interesting look at how we look at ancestry, race, and the definition of family. I liked that the author did not shy away from some of the really deep issues with race that we still have in this country. I thought she bordered on lecturing in some instances, though, and it really bothered me that the more accepting, less racist characters used the description "African American" more often and the "bad guys" seemed to use the word "Black." I thought that while researching the context of this story that the author would have learned that Black is acceptable terminology and is often more accurate than African American, especially for this book in which ancestry for the baby had not been determined at all. Other than that, it was a quick read that brought up some issues that I find relevant to todays society.
July 14, 2016
I overall enjoyed this book and how it touched on a subject that many people think about but sometimes don't want to admit; race. In light of all that's going on in the world today right now today, the book brought some good points to the forefront on how people view others who look different than themselves. This book surrounds Dana and Hugh, a white couple, who were expecting their first child, but when the baby is born, she looks black. They find themselves having to initially contend with outside opinions, but soon after, each other when trust is broken. It was an interesting read. There were a funny moment of clarity when the discovery of who's lineage was "responsible" for why the baby was so brown comes out that had me shaking my head and thinking that despite the belief that we know everyone in our family tree (and thinking they are all the same skin tone as us), that sometimes there are surprises waiting to be uncovered!!!
January 28, 2008
Gah! Made of hate! This book just was not my cup of tea; surprising, since it had been recommended to me by several people.
The cast of characteres was full of the types of people I hate, it discussed issues that were pretinent and PC about 10 years ago, and the structure was a mess.
Along with the main story line, there were about three or four overlaping sub-plots, starting at various places along the primary plot. However, when the primary plot finished, so did the book. Those sub-plots were just cut off with resolution whatsoever.
Extremely annoying; don't bother with this one.
The cast of characteres was full of the types of people I hate, it discussed issues that were pretinent and PC about 10 years ago, and the structure was a mess.
Along with the main story line, there were about three or four overlaping sub-plots, starting at various places along the primary plot. However, when the primary plot finished, so did the book. Those sub-plots were just cut off with resolution whatsoever.
Extremely annoying; don't bother with this one.
November 2, 2007
I have read many of Ms Delinshy's books and this one was especially good. All of us carry around a history inside of us, our nationality is just one of the things that we can pass onto our children. We have the baggage of our health and the baggage of our mental health brought about by our parenting methods. Some of these you can see like the child in this book a nationality difference others remain hidden to appear at random through out out lives. I enjoyed the book.
June 28, 2021
This book explores racism, prejudice and trust in an intimate thoughtful way when a white couple's naturally conceived child is born with copper colored skin and distinct African-American features and they begin to question if they are who they always thought they were.
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge: a book with a family tree. (while this book does not have an actual genealogy chart in it, multiple (sometimes convoluted) family trees are extensively discussed and explored within it's pages so I will count this one unless I read something better before the end of the year.)
2021 Popsugar Reading Challenge: a book with a family tree. (while this book does not have an actual genealogy chart in it, multiple (sometimes convoluted) family trees are extensively discussed and explored within it's pages so I will count this one unless I read something better before the end of the year.)
November 16, 2010
I read another book by Delinsky a couple of months ago and really liked it. I kept seeing this one on the shelf of the bookstore when I was still working there and was always curious. But for some reason just not curious enough to pick it up. I should have just left it there on the shelf instead of checking it out from he library.
So you would think that a white couple has a very obviously brown baby would make for a interesting story. Was the baby a product of an affair? Sperm switched during artificial insemination? No. You come to find out that the Father's Grandmother had an affair with a black man years ago and his father is he result of that affair. What is supposed to be shocking about this is the Father's (Hugh's) family can trace their lines back to the Mayflower. And of course they are bigots. Or closeminded. Whatever you wanna call it.
Nevermind that the entire story is based on some genitics thing that I don't understand. How is someone who is half white, but looks white, have a child who is completely white, who has a child who is also completly white, who in turn has a child with a fellow white woman and produces a brown baby? The child is what, 3 or 4 times removed. I thought that brown skin was a dominate gene. But what do I know?
When Hugh first sees his baby is brown he believes that his wife, Dana, had an affair with their neighbor, who just happens to be black. And because she doesn't know her Father, she would do something like this. Blah blah blah. Hugh also tries to make Dana search her family past to find out who is the one with "African roots" because he just couldn't be the one. He's lily white and all.
I am a product of a white mother and a black father. Never once did I feel that I was inferior because I had "1 drop of African blood" in me. And that is where the story was trying to go. Or Hugh finding out that he was 1/16 black, that was somehow gonna change who he is. "Something is gonna change." Really? Like what? Are you gonna start identifying more with black culture? Like "black music" more? Please.
I don't understand how no one was really talking about how the Grandmother who had the affair wasn't talked about more. She broke her wedding vows. She lied. But no. We are worried about suddenly finding out one is 1/16 black. And that somehow makes one really black.
I LOVE (not sarcastic at. all.) how Hugh's father isn't upset about his parents lying to him, he is pretty much devestated that he finds out he is black and his book that he wrote about his family was wrong. Oh no, how are people gonna perceive him now?
Yeah. Amazing!! story. You should go out and buy the hardcover today.
So you would think that a white couple has a very obviously brown baby would make for a interesting story. Was the baby a product of an affair? Sperm switched during artificial insemination? No. You come to find out that the Father's Grandmother had an affair with a black man years ago and his father is he result of that affair. What is supposed to be shocking about this is the Father's (Hugh's) family can trace their lines back to the Mayflower. And of course they are bigots. Or closeminded. Whatever you wanna call it.
Nevermind that the entire story is based on some genitics thing that I don't understand. How is someone who is half white, but looks white, have a child who is completely white, who has a child who is also completly white, who in turn has a child with a fellow white woman and produces a brown baby? The child is what, 3 or 4 times removed. I thought that brown skin was a dominate gene. But what do I know?
When Hugh first sees his baby is brown he believes that his wife, Dana, had an affair with their neighbor, who just happens to be black. And because she doesn't know her Father, she would do something like this. Blah blah blah. Hugh also tries to make Dana search her family past to find out who is the one with "African roots" because he just couldn't be the one. He's lily white and all.
I am a product of a white mother and a black father. Never once did I feel that I was inferior because I had "1 drop of African blood" in me. And that is where the story was trying to go. Or Hugh finding out that he was 1/16 black, that was somehow gonna change who he is. "Something is gonna change." Really? Like what? Are you gonna start identifying more with black culture? Like "black music" more? Please.
I don't understand how no one was really talking about how the Grandmother who had the affair wasn't talked about more. She broke her wedding vows. She lied. But no. We are worried about suddenly finding out one is 1/16 black. And that somehow makes one really black.
I LOVE (not sarcastic at. all.) how Hugh's father isn't upset about his parents lying to him, he is pretty much devestated that he finds out he is black and his book that he wrote about his family was wrong. Oh no, how are people gonna perceive him now?
Yeah. Amazing!! story. You should go out and buy the hardcover today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2008
This is one of those books that everytime I walked into Barnes and Noble, it was front and center, so I figured I would give it a try.
Its was definately not worth it. While the subject matter is interesting...white couple gives birth to a child with African-American features...I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable. The whole book just seemed a little "woe is me" for my taste. I think its important to write books with this subject matter, this book completely missed the mark for me.
Its was definately not worth it. While the subject matter is interesting...white couple gives birth to a child with African-American features...I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable. The whole book just seemed a little "woe is me" for my taste. I think its important to write books with this subject matter, this book completely missed the mark for me.
September 29, 2017
The characters in this contemporary novel were a bit overdrawn and too stereotypical for my taste. There were several subplots that I am not sure really added or supported the central theme of the book. When a white couple give birth to a baby of African American linage the ground under their feet suddenly vanishes. Somewhere in their Family Tree is African American blood...but where?
January 30, 2022
Very enjoyable story and brought out racial attitudes.
April 22, 2009
Since I read this book, I can tell that my perspective of a "perfect family" has been renovated again. The reason why I recommend this book because the theses of Family Tree are about faith, loyalty, and race. Actually, I adore Barbara's style of writing. Even though I did not know her well before, the diction she used makes the whole story more vivid. Especially, she created the story based on "mixed race family" and the mystery of descent. This issue attracted me, and it is more splendid than what I thought at first.
To me, this book contains a small issue of racism. If Hugh's family did not have partiality for skin colour, they will not mind having an African-American baby. Oppositely, they will love dearly this baby because it symbolized two different races' integration. Besides, this story is happened in the present day, not in the ancient time. They should feel proud, instead. Furthermore, the story she made might happened in our real world. Therefore, it is very realistic. When I read this book, I could not put it down. I always really want to know what is going to happened next. This book is totally amazing. Once I read it before I sleep and I delayed my bedtime for an hour. That is huge amount of time.
Certainly, Barbara used many descriptions to portray the interaction between Hugh's family and Dana. At the same time, it shows that Dana needed to bear enormous pressure. It is pretty hard to me to believe they had sweet and romantic days when Dana was pregnant. At the end, justice wins forever. After Dana and Hugh tried to figure out the answer- the missing part of family tree, the ending is such a big surprise. Anyhow, I enjoyed this book so mush, hope everyone can enjoy reading this book.
To me, this book contains a small issue of racism. If Hugh's family did not have partiality for skin colour, they will not mind having an African-American baby. Oppositely, they will love dearly this baby because it symbolized two different races' integration. Besides, this story is happened in the present day, not in the ancient time. They should feel proud, instead. Furthermore, the story she made might happened in our real world. Therefore, it is very realistic. When I read this book, I could not put it down. I always really want to know what is going to happened next. This book is totally amazing. Once I read it before I sleep and I delayed my bedtime for an hour. That is huge amount of time.
Certainly, Barbara used many descriptions to portray the interaction between Hugh's family and Dana. At the same time, it shows that Dana needed to bear enormous pressure. It is pretty hard to me to believe they had sweet and romantic days when Dana was pregnant. At the end, justice wins forever. After Dana and Hugh tried to figure out the answer- the missing part of family tree, the ending is such a big surprise. Anyhow, I enjoyed this book so mush, hope everyone can enjoy reading this book.
September 17, 2009
I was first attracted to this book by the cover, it intrigued me, so I picked it up. At first, when I looked at the cover, I thought that it was about an adoption story. White woman, dark-skinned child, that’s the first thing that popped in my head. Hugh and Dana, who are both white, are about to have their first child. When Dana gives birth, they are surprised that their baby, Lizzie, is dark-skinned. Hugh’s family ancestry can be traced back to the Mayflower, whereas Dana has never known who her father was.
With the birth of their child, Hugh begins to struggle with his emotions. Although he trusts Dana, his family keeps on suggesting that she might have had an affair (especially as they are close friends with their neighbour, a single black man). Eventually, he asks Dana to do a DNA test on the baby, insisting that it is the only way to prove that it is really his child. After the test proves that Lizzie is his, Dana begins a quest to search through her family tree, to try and discover who her father was.
It was a very readable book, easy to read, and interesting. I felt myself wanting to smack Hugh at times for not having more trust in Dana. I suppose that it’s easy for women, the baby is always definitely theirs, whereas men never know for certain. And if you are both white, suddenly getting a dark-skinned baby must come as a huge shock, thus breeding doubt in the man’s mind.
I wouldn’t nominate the book for any awards, but it’s definitely an enjoyable book to read if you’ve got a few hours free time!
With the birth of their child, Hugh begins to struggle with his emotions. Although he trusts Dana, his family keeps on suggesting that she might have had an affair (especially as they are close friends with their neighbour, a single black man). Eventually, he asks Dana to do a DNA test on the baby, insisting that it is the only way to prove that it is really his child. After the test proves that Lizzie is his, Dana begins a quest to search through her family tree, to try and discover who her father was.
It was a very readable book, easy to read, and interesting. I felt myself wanting to smack Hugh at times for not having more trust in Dana. I suppose that it’s easy for women, the baby is always definitely theirs, whereas men never know for certain. And if you are both white, suddenly getting a dark-skinned baby must come as a huge shock, thus breeding doubt in the man’s mind.
I wouldn’t nominate the book for any awards, but it’s definitely an enjoyable book to read if you’ve got a few hours free time!
October 15, 2010
This book is incredible. It makes you think about the "what if this happened to me, how would I react?" and most important, "How would my spouse react?". And could I understand my spouses reaction? It's about human reactions to life, and how we handle them. Dana, finds herself in what only can be described as her own personal hell, at the same time she should be celebrating the life of her new beautiful baby. I found this book beautifully written, and while it gives you something to think about its does not hit you over the head with opinions. It's a great book, with a unique story that I personally think we should all read this book. Excuse me for a moment but get our heads out of butts. This is where my review ends and my personal statement goes. Please can we just stop looking at each other for color, our sexuality and whatever stupid reason as a society we are being bigots? It should come down to this, are you a good person? If so, I want to be around you. Nothing else should matter. Please note this book is not preachy.. I am! :)
May 6, 2015
A good story, its a little obvious, but not a bad read and its got a great cover.
September 29, 2017
This book was a good read with a great concept. However, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I really enjoyed the story and think it’s worth reading.
December 3, 2023
It was ok. It was a good premise but it was almost as if the author didn't know what to do with it. Some parts were just not realistic too, and that didn't help.
October 27, 2010
General plot of the book: White couple in snooty New England have a black baby. The story follows the emotions involved with race and the family lies/cover ups that are common place and could lead to such an event.
What I think the book: This is this first book in awhile that I was interested in from the start. I related to the characters of the new parents, and they were pretty realistic. (All except for how quickly they were active after the birth of the child.) There is realistic discussion about nursing the child, which is still something I am sensitive about.
The characters change and develop throughout the story, but not drastic changes. There are many little twists and turns in the story that border on corny, but don't cross the line. There are several sub-plots in the book that add more to understanding of the characters and develop story. This book earns 4 stars because it kept me entertained.
What I think in relation to other Delinsky Books: Things resolve, but not EVERYTHING. The book doesn't end as a pretty little package with neatly tied ribbon like the other books I've read. Ms. Delinsky follows a formula for her novels. As long as a reader isn't hoping for some earth shattering novel, this fits the bill. There are some deep and sensitive subjects discussed, leaving food for though. This is the earliest of Delinsky's books I've listened to so far. And, it holds true to what I've been told. Her earlier work is better.
What I think the book: This is this first book in awhile that I was interested in from the start. I related to the characters of the new parents, and they were pretty realistic. (All except for how quickly they were active after the birth of the child.) There is realistic discussion about nursing the child, which is still something I am sensitive about.
The characters change and develop throughout the story, but not drastic changes. There are many little twists and turns in the story that border on corny, but don't cross the line. There are several sub-plots in the book that add more to understanding of the characters and develop story. This book earns 4 stars because it kept me entertained.
What I think in relation to other Delinsky Books: Things resolve, but not EVERYTHING. The book doesn't end as a pretty little package with neatly tied ribbon like the other books I've read. Ms. Delinsky follows a formula for her novels. As long as a reader isn't hoping for some earth shattering novel, this fits the bill. There are some deep and sensitive subjects discussed, leaving food for though. This is the earliest of Delinsky's books I've listened to so far. And, it holds true to what I've been told. Her earlier work is better.
November 7, 2010
A "lily white" couple gives birth to a very apparent Caucasian/African American daughter. Who's to "blame"? Where's the "black blood" in the family? How will family and friends react?
An interesting premise for a book about deep-seated roots of racism, bigotry and long held and strongly protected family lies and secrets. By the end of the book every character seems to have a secret of some sort.
An interesting premise for a book about deep-seated roots of racism, bigotry and long held and strongly protected family lies and secrets. By the end of the book every character seems to have a secret of some sort.
August 27, 2007
The FIRST time my husband brought up DNA testing on our infant to establish parentage, he would have been out on his rump.
I like Delinsky, but I think this was a poor effort on her part. The main character was very naive and almost stunned throughout most of the book, and the baby - supposedly the main character of the book? - was no more than an afterthought.
I like Delinsky, but I think this was a poor effort on her part. The main character was very naive and almost stunned throughout most of the book, and the baby - supposedly the main character of the book? - was no more than an afterthought.
April 29, 2007
Really enjoyed this book,a quick read and an entertaining mystery. It also made you think how would you handle these problems if they happened in your life, which character would you find yourself like?
February 11, 2024
recommended by my male parent.
Prosto pred ochite mi sa vsichkite puti, v koito bashtatko mi e govoril TOLKO zapaleno za taq kniga na vsqko semeino sabirane otkak se pomnq, i na men kak GRAM ne mi pukashe za tva ko stanalo
Sega kato q chetoh as, neka vi spodelq- ne bqh mnogo silno vpechatlen.
😍
- beshe lesno chetivo, vurveshe ok, burzichka, NO:
zabravih kolko grozna beshe koricata na tui chudo. Seki put kat q zatvoreh i q pogledneh se seshtah koga beh na 8 s milata mi priqtelka astrid lindgren potmishnica, i vijdam taq kniga NASQKUDE O NAS. I V KOLATA. Ne beh gotov za tos povtorna sreshta sled godini, no puk beshe milichko.
No knigushata se useshtashe poveche kato film, se edno chetesh scenarii. Opisva situacii, koito si sviknal mnogo da vijdash otkolkoto da si predstavish neshto. Dialozi, koito si chuval i ochoto mi prepuskashe po abzacite zashtoto im znam replikite.
Ne che suvsem ne mojesh si predstavish, pak si go predstavqsh, ama izkustveno, zorlen. Tva sa kat predvaritelno zadadeni kartini, koito i ti dopulnitelno predvijdash, znaesh kak da gi priemesh, kak da gi interpretirash, shtoto sa mnogo standartizirani i tipichni i poznati, rabotata veche e svurshena vmesto teb.
Taka Che as ne znaqh nogo ko da pravam s informaciqta det mi se dava ot tos kniga. Da, beshe interesna, no nqmashe nikakvi opisaniq i misli na avtora, nqmashe neshto po- zadulbocheno osven samata situaciq. Prosto se useshta kato otchet i predavane na subitieto i tolkos. Fenomen sa suhota na syujeta, nabludavam🧚♀️
- Bebeto sa rodilo cheren ot dvama beli. Ok? I ne e iznevqra. Ok? Mi babata e bila s nqkuv predi godini i sega cqlata familiq sram bere. Dibriii 🧚♀️🧚♀️ ko da praq? Nisto 😍
Moje bi tova e stilat na milata mi priqtelka Barbara.
Ne beshe zle, pak kazvam. Ama wasn’t really my chasha chai, mila.
Prosto pred ochite mi sa vsichkite puti, v koito bashtatko mi e govoril TOLKO zapaleno za taq kniga na vsqko semeino sabirane otkak se pomnq, i na men kak GRAM ne mi pukashe za tva ko stanalo
Sega kato q chetoh as, neka vi spodelq- ne bqh mnogo silno vpechatlen.
😍
- beshe lesno chetivo, vurveshe ok, burzichka, NO:
zabravih kolko grozna beshe koricata na tui chudo. Seki put kat q zatvoreh i q pogledneh se seshtah koga beh na 8 s milata mi priqtelka astrid lindgren potmishnica, i vijdam taq kniga NASQKUDE O NAS. I V KOLATA. Ne beh gotov za tos povtorna sreshta sled godini, no puk beshe milichko.
No knigushata se useshtashe poveche kato film, se edno chetesh scenarii. Opisva situacii, koito si sviknal mnogo da vijdash otkolkoto da si predstavish neshto. Dialozi, koito si chuval i ochoto mi prepuskashe po abzacite zashtoto im znam replikite.
Ne che suvsem ne mojesh si predstavish, pak si go predstavqsh, ama izkustveno, zorlen. Tva sa kat predvaritelno zadadeni kartini, koito i ti dopulnitelno predvijdash, znaesh kak da gi priemesh, kak da gi interpretirash, shtoto sa mnogo standartizirani i tipichni i poznati, rabotata veche e svurshena vmesto teb.
Taka Che as ne znaqh nogo ko da pravam s informaciqta det mi se dava ot tos kniga. Da, beshe interesna, no nqmashe nikakvi opisaniq i misli na avtora, nqmashe neshto po- zadulbocheno osven samata situaciq. Prosto se useshta kato otchet i predavane na subitieto i tolkos. Fenomen sa suhota na syujeta, nabludavam🧚♀️
- Bebeto sa rodilo cheren ot dvama beli. Ok? I ne e iznevqra. Ok? Mi babata e bila s nqkuv predi godini i sega cqlata familiq sram bere. Dibriii 🧚♀️🧚♀️ ko da praq? Nisto 😍
Moje bi tova e stilat na milata mi priqtelka Barbara.
Ne beshe zle, pak kazvam. Ama wasn’t really my chasha chai, mila.
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