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The Martian Child: A Novel About a Single Father Adopting a Son
When David Gerrold decided he wanted to adopt a son, he thought he had prepared himself for fatherhood. But eight-year-old Dennis turned out to be more than he expected—a lot more. Dennis suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome, the son of a substance abuser and alcoholic who abandoned him in a seedy motel at the age of one-and-a-half. His father died of an overdose. Seized by the state, Dennis was shuffled between eight different foster homes in less than eight years. He was abused and beaten severely in at least two of his placements. Dennis was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and put on Ritalin and then Disipramine. He was prone to violent emotional outbursts. His case history identified him as "hard to place" —a euphemism for "unadoptable." But for David Gerrold it was love at first sight…
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
July 11, 2009
David Gerrold calls his book a novel. I would like to suggest that he wrote a memoir instead. He definitely touched me. I know this kid, his martian child. I know this kid well. I spent 16 years of my life, more actually when adding volunteer work and additional contacts, with this kid. My martian came in all shapes and sizes and displayed multiple behaviors, but I cared for this kid so tenderly. While I can provide individual names and tell kids stories, I must admit I loved collectively, and truly admire David Gerrold, who adopted his martian, loving day and night, uniquely and individually. It is David Gerrold, not I, who made a real difference. Certainly, I hope that for many, I was part of a process. However, I loved hearing David's voice. The daddy who followed through with all that was taught to allow him to continue the process, yet never lost himself, although he gave himself wholly as any parent filled with love and attachment. I admire and thank David Gerrold for writing his book, for sharing and revealing his heart.
June 5, 2007
This book was incredibly frustrating. I stumbled across it at the library and picked it up because I’d heard that it’s being made into a movie starring John Cusack. I was also somewhat intrigued by the premise, which is based on the author’s own life: a single, gay sci-fi writer decides he wants to adopt a kid, but the boy he becomes committed to is very troubled and thinks he (the boy) is a Martian. My main worry going in was that it was going to be too saccharine (favorable comparisons to Tuesdays with Morrie on the front cover are actually more likely to deter me than make me read something); it mostly wasn’t. Instead, however, it’s incredibly scattered. The book starts out at a fairly normal pace, but halfway through Gerrold abruptly changes gears and goes from describing how he tried to help his adopted son, Dennis, to adjust, to actually—though self-consciously—thinking that Dennis may really be from Mars. Then that line of thought is abruptly abandoned. Other seemingly major incidents—like a conflict with intolerant neighbors that we’re told resulted in legal action—are glossed over in a paragraph or two, while other (lame) running jokes and frankly irrelevant thoughts on the nature of storytelling are given pages of pages of time. It’s a mess. A well-intended mess, but a mess.
Oddly, I do think this could make a good movie, if whoever’s adapting it gives it some badly-needed structure. Although—guess what?—a quick check of IMDb reveals that in the film, Cusack’s character is suddenly straight. Sigh.
Oddly, I do think this could make a good movie, if whoever’s adapting it gives it some badly-needed structure. Although—guess what?—a quick check of IMDb reveals that in the film, Cusack’s character is suddenly straight. Sigh.
August 31, 2022
A single man adopts a kid lost in the system, and teaches them to trust and love again. Does one even need Star Trek, when there are inspirational real life stories like this behind the scenes?
Trek connection, which by the way, I had no idea of, when going in. Just picked this for the cute seeming premise, vaguely recalling some past marketing for the movie adaptation, and hoping for a heartwarming feel-good story. Which it was, indeed, through and through.
Much respect for David Gerrold - dad not only to them beloved Tribbles, but to a Martian child. I just became a fan.
_____
Some more in the reading updates below.
Trek connection, which by the way, I had no idea of, when going in. Just picked this for the cute seeming premise, vaguely recalling some past marketing for the movie adaptation, and hoping for a heartwarming feel-good story. Which it was, indeed, through and through.
Much respect for David Gerrold - dad not only to them beloved Tribbles, but to a Martian child. I just became a fan.
_____
Some more in the reading updates below.
June 18, 2012
David Gerrold, perhaps best known for writing the classic Star Trek episode "The Trouble with Tribbles," gives us a fictional account of his true life adventures as a gay, single father adopting a special needs child.
At times both funny and sad -- but heart-warming throughout -- "The Martian Child" is a fabulous read. Gerrold's writing is simple and direct, even spartan at times. The first-person narrative is conversational and confessional, and Gerrold draws you into the story like you're an old friend. There are many in-jokes for Gerrold and Star Trek fans, but they're handled so subtly that the uninitiated will not feel as if they're being excluded.
"The Martian Child" shows a master storyteller at work.
At times both funny and sad -- but heart-warming throughout -- "The Martian Child" is a fabulous read. Gerrold's writing is simple and direct, even spartan at times. The first-person narrative is conversational and confessional, and Gerrold draws you into the story like you're an old friend. There are many in-jokes for Gerrold and Star Trek fans, but they're handled so subtly that the uninitiated will not feel as if they're being excluded.
"The Martian Child" shows a master storyteller at work.
April 11, 2018
No se si os he dicho alguna vez que me gusta participar en retos de lectura. Me sirven para bucear entre mis libros pendientes y "obligarme" a leerlos; pero por lo que más me gustan es por hacerme leer libros que jamás me habría planteado leer y, ¡oh sorpresa! En muchos casos, me encantan.
En este caso debía buscar un libro en el que se hablara del planeta Marte y ne daba una pereza enorme leer ciencia ficción, así que buscando di con este libro, su sinopsis me atrapó y...
¡Me ha gustado muchísimo!
A ratos es durillo, pero el autor lo describe tan bien y con un sentido del humor tan bueno, que hace que no puedas parar de leer.
Me ha resultado curioso que habiendo una película de esta historia, el personaje del padre sea tan distinto en su situación... En el libro es un hombre gay soltero y se ocupará sin ayuda de que el niño se adapte, imaginad que debe ser difícil una adopción así; pero en la película el señor ya no es gay, es viudo y tiene una amiga que le ayuda con el niño ... 😒 creo que esos cambios hacen que el mensaje sea distinto.
Por lo visto, la historia tiene bastante de autobiográfica, de cuando el autor adoptó a su hijo.
Lo que no entiendo es que este libro ganara premios de ciencia ficción cuando no le veo nada de ello, pero tampoco me hagáis caso ya que yo no soy lectora de ese género y no entiendo.
¿Recomendaría este libro? Sí, sin duda alguna. Es una preciosa historia que nos cuenta que todo milagro conlleva un sacrificio y un compromiso
En este caso debía buscar un libro en el que se hablara del planeta Marte y ne daba una pereza enorme leer ciencia ficción, así que buscando di con este libro, su sinopsis me atrapó y...
¡Me ha gustado muchísimo!
A ratos es durillo, pero el autor lo describe tan bien y con un sentido del humor tan bueno, que hace que no puedas parar de leer.
Me ha resultado curioso que habiendo una película de esta historia, el personaje del padre sea tan distinto en su situación... En el libro es un hombre gay soltero y se ocupará sin ayuda de que el niño se adapte, imaginad que debe ser difícil una adopción así; pero en la película el señor ya no es gay, es viudo y tiene una amiga que le ayuda con el niño ... 😒 creo que esos cambios hacen que el mensaje sea distinto.
Por lo visto, la historia tiene bastante de autobiográfica, de cuando el autor adoptó a su hijo.
Lo que no entiendo es que este libro ganara premios de ciencia ficción cuando no le veo nada de ello, pero tampoco me hagáis caso ya que yo no soy lectora de ese género y no entiendo.
¿Recomendaría este libro? Sí, sin duda alguna. Es una preciosa historia que nos cuenta que todo milagro conlleva un sacrificio y un compromiso
July 8, 2010
The Martian Child was disappointing to me mostly because of the way it was presented. A few of the labels I've seen have presented this novella as the story of a single gay father adopting a child who believes he's from Mars.
The problem was having this expectation in my head, there was absolutely nothing in the novel about his sexuality, in fact the entire novel was skimpy on details. The #1 omission for me was the loss of the entire first year of their lives together, simply jumping to an already accepted state between the two with the major conflict in the novel being the father wondering what type of Martian he was raising?
Maybe it's because I'm not raising a child but I wasn't impressed by the novel and thought that it didn't give me anything particularly new, or even resolved many issues raised within the book.
The problem was having this expectation in my head, there was absolutely nothing in the novel about his sexuality, in fact the entire novel was skimpy on details. The #1 omission for me was the loss of the entire first year of their lives together, simply jumping to an already accepted state between the two with the major conflict in the novel being the father wondering what type of Martian he was raising?
Maybe it's because I'm not raising a child but I wasn't impressed by the novel and thought that it didn't give me anything particularly new, or even resolved many issues raised within the book.
August 1, 2008
I really enjoyed this book - I read it in one night! I was thinking as a therapist as I read, and was amazed at how some of the "professionals" treated this poor boy, while his new dad had so many good ideas and instincts, and insights. Different from the movie of course, but I don't think they changed too much. The book was nice because it followed the two of them for a longer period of time.
March 16, 2011
It certainly seemed like it would be good, but I was tired of it halfway through and the end, while touching, just wasn't narratively powerful at all. The author seems addicted to bad jokes (and, if it wasn't just me, likes to repeat the same ones).
The storytelling tricks in the second half, like the narrator talking to his old self, or the narrator talking to the supercomputer character in a book he'd written are ham-fisted at best.
But the heart of the story is immensely sweet, and the first half, which describes the adoption process and the son's at least initial acceptance of his gay adoptive father, is quite touching.
The storytelling tricks in the second half, like the narrator talking to his old self, or the narrator talking to the supercomputer character in a book he'd written are ham-fisted at best.
But the heart of the story is immensely sweet, and the first half, which describes the adoption process and the son's at least initial acceptance of his gay adoptive father, is quite touching.
April 3, 2014
This semi-autobiographical novella is an interesting study of child (and adoptive father) psychology. It is also insanely cute.
The narrator adopts Danny, a child who believes he's from Mars. The father questions Danny's origin as the kid starts displaying many "talents". Written as a memoir, The Martian Child made me ponder about adoption, and what it feels like to adopt an abandoned, unwanted hyperactive child with a crazy imagination. (Or a martian).
The movie is different from the book, but both are good in their own rights.
The narrator adopts Danny, a child who believes he's from Mars. The father questions Danny's origin as the kid starts displaying many "talents". Written as a memoir, The Martian Child made me ponder about adoption, and what it feels like to adopt an abandoned, unwanted hyperactive child with a crazy imagination. (Or a martian).
The movie is different from the book, but both are good in their own rights.
March 19, 2012
I haven't read a book so quickly in a long time. This was a beautifully written novel about the author's real life experience of adopting an eight-year-old boy. Mostly, it was a story of two people who needed love and family and their journey together. More touchy-feely than most things I read, but I loved it.
November 26, 2011
"Today, I recognize that being human is the greatest adventure of all. And being a parent is the best part of that adventure," David Gerrold writes in the afterward of the Kindle edition of The Martian Child - an autobiographical piece about his adoptive son. "[A]nyone who hasn't experienced that hasn't finished the job of learning how to be human."
I caught the film adaptation Thursday morning, staying up until three to watch it - after baking pies all Wednesday night for Thanksgiving, I needed some quiet time with the TV and my eyes were too heavy for book reading. The film stars John Cusack as science fiction writer David Gordon - the straight version of David Gerrold, the author of the novelette turned novel turned film (not really sure which order that falls in, though). And like with most movies I fall in love with, I instantly wonder whether or not there was a book before hand. Even before the film was rolling its credits, I had downloaded the novelette to my Kindle - one can never be sure if you'll like the writer's style, so I opted for the novelette rather than the novel. The fact that it was under $4 also didn't hurt.
David Gerrold's writer, as I learned, is marvelous. There's a certain wit that most writers lack these days - whatever happened to them, I wonder. The story's a great, short read and I do look forward to purchasing the novel the moment I have placed this story behind me - if it's too familiar, I tend to lose interest in a story. Also, I'd want a hard copy of the book so I can lug it around to show people what I'm reading.
As a soon-to-be father, I feel that I can relate - sort of. Aren't all children aliens to new parents? And while I hope my little bundle of joy doesn't grow up to think she's a Martian, I do hope she is blessed with such a wonderful imagination, one that puts my childhood antics to shame.
It's a must read for all parents, new, old and adoptive. And I hope to learn as much from my child that David Gerrold learned from his.
I caught the film adaptation Thursday morning, staying up until three to watch it - after baking pies all Wednesday night for Thanksgiving, I needed some quiet time with the TV and my eyes were too heavy for book reading. The film stars John Cusack as science fiction writer David Gordon - the straight version of David Gerrold, the author of the novelette turned novel turned film (not really sure which order that falls in, though). And like with most movies I fall in love with, I instantly wonder whether or not there was a book before hand. Even before the film was rolling its credits, I had downloaded the novelette to my Kindle - one can never be sure if you'll like the writer's style, so I opted for the novelette rather than the novel. The fact that it was under $4 also didn't hurt.
David Gerrold's writer, as I learned, is marvelous. There's a certain wit that most writers lack these days - whatever happened to them, I wonder. The story's a great, short read and I do look forward to purchasing the novel the moment I have placed this story behind me - if it's too familiar, I tend to lose interest in a story. Also, I'd want a hard copy of the book so I can lug it around to show people what I'm reading.
As a soon-to-be father, I feel that I can relate - sort of. Aren't all children aliens to new parents? And while I hope my little bundle of joy doesn't grow up to think she's a Martian, I do hope she is blessed with such a wonderful imagination, one that puts my childhood antics to shame.
It's a must read for all parents, new, old and adoptive. And I hope to learn as much from my child that David Gerrold learned from his.
March 3, 2015
Es una experiencia sobre el deseo de ser padre y poder lograrlo. David se ha preparado de todas las maneras posibles para este hijo que va a tener. Dennis fue calificado por sus cuidadores como inadoptable. A los ocho años ya fue dado por perdido y ya nadie espera nada de él.
Cuando Dennis y David se encuentran, empieza a forjarse una familia. Una familia hermosa. David se asegura de que Dennis se sienta querido y seguro y peca de confiarse en que solo él debía prepararse constantemente. Dennis necesita mucho apoyo, mucha paciencia, mucho trabajo si quieren decirlo así, pero mucho amor también y David se lo entrega, libre y plenamente.
La primera parte de este libro es dulce, porque ves cada huella que se van dejando en el otro, la segunda parte da.. que pensar sobre la coherencia de este autor. Digo, deja de lado sucesos como los anteriores y se vuelca a describir su teoría de Dennis el marciano, a la que deja de lado de forma abrupta para volcarse en ese suceso que lo desencadena todo. Y luego menciona un conflicto con unos vecinos que resume en un párrafo y no estoy muy segura de saber qué fue lo que pasó.
Aún así, el comportamiento de Dennis al final, es lo que yo estaba esperando. No me creía que todo hubiera marchado tan sobre ruedas desde el principio, y ahí es donde se pone a prueba a David como padre. Si no me hubiera confundido tanto con sus últimos temas a tocar, capaz que el final hubiera sido más emotivo. Porque lo es. Solo que seguía pensando en donde fue a parar lo que dijo anteriormente.
Me alegra mucho que David y Dennis lo lograran, son entrañables y dulces.
A la película la vi hace un par de años y me gustó bastante, es diferente, omiten datos importantes como que David sea gay, pero está bastante linda de ver.
2015 Reading Challenge: #19. Un libro basado en hechos reales
Reto A Contrareloj: Libro de un autor no leído
Cuando Dennis y David se encuentran, empieza a forjarse una familia. Una familia hermosa. David se asegura de que Dennis se sienta querido y seguro y peca de confiarse en que solo él debía prepararse constantemente. Dennis necesita mucho apoyo, mucha paciencia, mucho trabajo si quieren decirlo así, pero mucho amor también y David se lo entrega, libre y plenamente.
La primera parte de este libro es dulce, porque ves cada huella que se van dejando en el otro, la segunda parte da.. que pensar sobre la coherencia de este autor. Digo, deja de lado sucesos como los anteriores y se vuelca a describir su teoría de Dennis el marciano, a la que deja de lado de forma abrupta para volcarse en ese suceso que lo desencadena todo. Y luego menciona un conflicto con unos vecinos que resume en un párrafo y no estoy muy segura de saber qué fue lo que pasó.
Aún así, el comportamiento de Dennis al final, es lo que yo estaba esperando. No me creía que todo hubiera marchado tan sobre ruedas desde el principio, y ahí es donde se pone a prueba a David como padre. Si no me hubiera confundido tanto con sus últimos temas a tocar, capaz que el final hubiera sido más emotivo. Porque lo es. Solo que seguía pensando en donde fue a parar lo que dijo anteriormente.
Me alegra mucho que David y Dennis lo lograran, son entrañables y dulces.
A la película la vi hace un par de años y me gustó bastante, es diferente, omiten datos importantes como que David sea gay, pero está bastante linda de ver.
2015 Reading Challenge: #19. Un libro basado en hechos reales
Reto A Contrareloj: Libro de un autor no leído
May 20, 2011
Knowing that this book was based on the author's actual experiences of adopting an older boy as a single father, I admit that wanting to know how much was "true" and how much was "made up" distracted me through a lot of the listening. Luckily, Wikipedia cleared it up by explaining that most of the experiences were true, but that the thread about the adopted boy believing he was a Martian was fabricated. Thank you, Wikipedia! Now I can move on.
I wanted to know because, honestly, this book works better as a memoir than as a novel. A lot of the details feel as though they are simply being "reported" rather than created. There were a few incidents mentioned that were not fully fleshed out, and it seems pointless to do that in a novel; instead, I think those incidents were so important in "real life" that the author didn't feel right about leaving them out. Also, the story of a single father adopting an older son is absolutely fascinating in its own right, and plays out more interesting in fact than fiction.
At first, it feels as though the main character romanticizes adopting a son a little too much, and things feel too saccharine. But as the novel goes on, the frustrating, heart-breaking realities of raising a child who has spent his whole life in "the system" come to the forefront. This helps balance the novel and make it feel believable--and it also inspires a lot of admiration for the father's dedication to this child. The Martian thread is never fully resolved, and in this case, that works. I like the way it acts as a metaphor for how children can seem like such totally foreign creatures.
I wanted to know because, honestly, this book works better as a memoir than as a novel. A lot of the details feel as though they are simply being "reported" rather than created. There were a few incidents mentioned that were not fully fleshed out, and it seems pointless to do that in a novel; instead, I think those incidents were so important in "real life" that the author didn't feel right about leaving them out. Also, the story of a single father adopting an older son is absolutely fascinating in its own right, and plays out more interesting in fact than fiction.
At first, it feels as though the main character romanticizes adopting a son a little too much, and things feel too saccharine. But as the novel goes on, the frustrating, heart-breaking realities of raising a child who has spent his whole life in "the system" come to the forefront. This helps balance the novel and make it feel believable--and it also inspires a lot of admiration for the father's dedication to this child. The Martian thread is never fully resolved, and in this case, that works. I like the way it acts as a metaphor for how children can seem like such totally foreign creatures.
September 8, 2020
If you go into this book expecting science fiction you're going to be disappointed. If you pick up this book expecting a powerful expose on the trials and tribbleations (sorry, I just couldn't resist) of the adoption process you're going to be disappointed. This book is not science fiction and it's not non-fiction. This is a fictionalized biography with more in common with Augusten Burroughs than Edgar Rice Burroughs. David Gerrold relates the process he went through to adopt his son and how he came to accept the boy into his life. This is not a tell-all biography and it does not focus on the emotional problems of being a Martian Child. What it does focus on is the relationship between a new father and his son and this book screams love off of every page. Having been adopted myself, I can readily identify with the notion of feeling that you are so alien that no one would be capable of loving you. And while I never felt so alien that I identified as being a Martian (I was probably only one foster home away from that), that is where the strength of Gerrold's narrative comes from. What makes me so attached to this memoir is the sense of finding a book that can speak to a place in me that I did not even know existed - a place that needs to know someone will love me no matter what planet I might be from. I've read this book twice now and it is just as wonderful the second time around. This gets one of my highest Rickommendations.
September 21, 2016
I listened to the Audible audiobook version of this work. David Gerrold is an emotional guy and he writes a darn good "feel good" story especially when that story is a true story. I'm not always a fan of his work but this was a grand slam. This is the story of his adoption of a boy named Dennis (who changed his name to Sean after the adoption was finalized). This story definitely has some funny moments. Scott Brick was a good choice for the narrator. I don't think a better one could have been selected.
Shortcomings? The story became a little weird when David seemed to start taking literally the idea that Dennis might actually be from Mars. I guess it's the science fiction writer in him. It felt weird within the framework of this particular story. Also, on Amazon, this book was described as "semi-autobiographical." The work itself describes it as "based on a true story." I don't like knowing what was true and what wasn't. For something as interesting as this, there's really no need to delve in to the realm of fiction. Just tell your story.
But it was a good book. Its strong points more than made up for its shortcomings.
Shortcomings? The story became a little weird when David seemed to start taking literally the idea that Dennis might actually be from Mars. I guess it's the science fiction writer in him. It felt weird within the framework of this particular story. Also, on Amazon, this book was described as "semi-autobiographical." The work itself describes it as "based on a true story." I don't like knowing what was true and what wasn't. For something as interesting as this, there's really no need to delve in to the realm of fiction. Just tell your story.
But it was a good book. Its strong points more than made up for its shortcomings.
January 30, 2018
I have arranged my thoughts into a haiku:
"Even unnoticed,
The walls of lonely people
Sputter as they're dropped."
"Even unnoticed,
The walls of lonely people
Sputter as they're dropped."
October 9, 2023
Vorrei essere capace di scrivere una vera recensione di questo libro, davvero, ma l’unica cosa che riesco a pensare è che è uno dei libri più belli che io abbia mai letto e che probabilmente leggerò mai.
Piccola nota: ho letto questo libro perché adoro il film del 2007 con John Cusack e qualche giorno fa su Audible ho scoperto che era tratto da un libro e che il libro è semi autobiografico. Leggendolo ho scoperto che l’autore/protagonista è un uomo gay e single che ha adottato un bambino mentre nel film l’hanno reso un uomo eterosessuale vedovo. Non voglio commentare questa “scelta”, so solo che non riuscirò mai più a guardare il film con gli stessi occhi. Per fortuna potrò sempre rileggere questo libro meraviglioso.
Piccola nota: ho letto questo libro perché adoro il film del 2007 con John Cusack e qualche giorno fa su Audible ho scoperto che era tratto da un libro e che il libro è semi autobiografico. Leggendolo ho scoperto che l’autore/protagonista è un uomo gay e single che ha adottato un bambino mentre nel film l’hanno reso un uomo eterosessuale vedovo. Non voglio commentare questa “scelta”, so solo che non riuscirò mai più a guardare il film con gli stessi occhi. Per fortuna potrò sempre rileggere questo libro meraviglioso.
February 26, 2020
After having this book on my “want to read” list for nearly four years, I am so glad I did.
Years ago, I had seen the film version of the story, with John Cusack playing David’s character. I was puzzled by the decision to change his character to a heterosexual widower rather than a single gay man, which made me wonder what else was changed.
What a fantastic, heartfelt story. Mr. Gerrold has a wonderful way of bringing you right into the story, without it ever feeling heavy-handed. That is a true talent.
I have other books of his on my to-read list, and will definitely be reading them in the near future.
Years ago, I had seen the film version of the story, with John Cusack playing David’s character. I was puzzled by the decision to change his character to a heterosexual widower rather than a single gay man, which made me wonder what else was changed.
What a fantastic, heartfelt story. Mr. Gerrold has a wonderful way of bringing you right into the story, without it ever feeling heavy-handed. That is a true talent.
I have other books of his on my to-read list, and will definitely be reading them in the near future.
March 5, 2023
This is a fictionalized tale of a single, gay, science-fiction writer who adopted a "hard-to-place" son.
In the story, the prospective father is told by a social worker that the boy believes he's a Martian. The man rationalizes why the child might feel this way, but begins to wonder if there might be some truth behind the boy's assertions after some interesting coincidences.
It was told in an entertaining fashion, but there were multiple errors (and I feel if I'm having to do post-publication editing for free, you should pay in stars).
2 out of 5 stars.
In the story, the prospective father is told by a social worker that the boy believes he's a Martian. The man rationalizes why the child might feel this way, but begins to wonder if there might be some truth behind the boy's assertions after some interesting coincidences.
It was told in an entertaining fashion, but there were multiple errors (and I feel if I'm having to do post-publication editing for free, you should pay in stars).
2 out of 5 stars.
April 23, 2017
it is amazing because its a true story
March 12, 2019
Heartwarming story which kept my interest throughout
July 7, 2020
A novel of hope and change with all the appearance of solidity, but upon reflection perhaps it is lacking "strum and drang"
December 9, 2025
I've only read the original novelette, but wow... it's such a beautiful and vulnerable insight into the mind of an adoptive father. :')
April 23, 2017
Lovely little story to be honest, about a little boy who thinks he is a martian and how his adopted dad deals with that, to be honest I think it is a sweet story, that i will read again and again.
January 11, 2014
This is a fictionalized account of David Gerrold's adoption of his son, at the time an eight-year-old boy who had been "in the system" since birth, and had averaged one placement a year over that time.
Having decided to adopt a child, and having cleared the first challenging hurdle of being approved as a potential adopter, Gerrold attends an event that sounds rather like a setting he's more familiar with--a science fiction convention, but with a really, really different focus, both in programming and in the "dealers' room." It's not a dealers' room, of course, or a an exhibit hall, as those from different hobby or professional backgrounds might label it, but an opportunity to meet with representatives of various agencies, and find out something about the children they are trying to place.
At one of these tables he sees a picture of Dennis, and makes the fateful decision that this boy--ADHD, possible fetal alcohol syndrome, considered "difficult to place"--is the boy he wants to adopt.
One of the first things that Dennis's case worker tells him is that Dennis thinks he's a Martian.
The process of adoption is slow and deliberate, starting with regular visits to Dennis's current group home, leading to day visits at Gerrold's house and outing together.
The next step is supposed to be an overnight visit, but just days before what should be their first overnight, Dennis's case worker calls David and tells him, essentially, that he has to decide Right Now, because the group home the boy is currently in is closing, and a new placement has to be found for him. And there are no new placements for this very difficult child; his next stop is an institution.
Gerrold has been delaying a formal decision, but he's committed, and after a few moments of hesitation he says so. The exciting, challenging, stressful, alarming, rewarding process of convincing a scared little boy so alienated he thinks he's from another planet that he has a home, a family, a place to belong has begun.
I found this a charming, touching story. Recommended.
I borrowed this book from the library.
Having decided to adopt a child, and having cleared the first challenging hurdle of being approved as a potential adopter, Gerrold attends an event that sounds rather like a setting he's more familiar with--a science fiction convention, but with a really, really different focus, both in programming and in the "dealers' room." It's not a dealers' room, of course, or a an exhibit hall, as those from different hobby or professional backgrounds might label it, but an opportunity to meet with representatives of various agencies, and find out something about the children they are trying to place.
At one of these tables he sees a picture of Dennis, and makes the fateful decision that this boy--ADHD, possible fetal alcohol syndrome, considered "difficult to place"--is the boy he wants to adopt.
One of the first things that Dennis's case worker tells him is that Dennis thinks he's a Martian.
The process of adoption is slow and deliberate, starting with regular visits to Dennis's current group home, leading to day visits at Gerrold's house and outing together.
The next step is supposed to be an overnight visit, but just days before what should be their first overnight, Dennis's case worker calls David and tells him, essentially, that he has to decide Right Now, because the group home the boy is currently in is closing, and a new placement has to be found for him. And there are no new placements for this very difficult child; his next stop is an institution.
Gerrold has been delaying a formal decision, but he's committed, and after a few moments of hesitation he says so. The exciting, challenging, stressful, alarming, rewarding process of convincing a scared little boy so alienated he thinks he's from another planet that he has a home, a family, a place to belong has begun.
I found this a charming, touching story. Recommended.
I borrowed this book from the library.
August 7, 2015
Es un libro bastante corto, pero tierno y reflexivo. La historia de cómo un escritor lleva a cabo su deseo de adoptar a un niño, comienza a adaptarse y a descubrir cosas acerca de la paternidad y la familia, y la manera de aceptar y amar a un niño que asegura venir de Marte.
Citas Favoritas:
✓ Lo más difícil de la adopción es que tienes que pedirle a alguien que confíe en ti para dejarte a un niño.
✓ —Después de lo que este pobre pequeño ha tenido que pasar, si quiere pensar que es un marciano, yo no voy a discutir con él. En realidad, pienso que es encantador. Este niño está solo en el mundo y debe sentirlo de veras. Al menos, esto le da la ocasión de aferrarse a algo, una oportunidad, la única que tiene. Sería estúpido intentar arrebatársela.
✓ Yo todavía manejaba esa creencia firme de que suficiente amor podía curar cualquier cosa.
✓ Entonces ocurrió aquello, lo que siempre le ocurre a un adulto cuando está dispuesto a jugar con un niño. Redescubrí mi propia infancia.
✓ En ese momento, vi cómo sería el futuro; un padre, un hijo y un perro: una familia.
✓ —Humm… Dennis, ¿cuándo te gustaría comenzar a llamarme papá?
—Cuando tú empieces a llamarme a mí hijo.
—Está bien, hijo.
—Está bien, papá.
✓ Recordé un viejo fragmento de sabiduría proveniente de la ingeniería: «Si no sabes dónde está el botón de apagado, no presiones el botón de encendido». También era aplicable a los niños.
✓ Un milagro conlleva compromiso. Nunca ocurre por accidente.
✓ Los autores construyen sus propias realidades, se mudan allí, y envían cartas a casa ocasionalmente.
Citas Favoritas:
✓ Lo más difícil de la adopción es que tienes que pedirle a alguien que confíe en ti para dejarte a un niño.
✓ —Después de lo que este pobre pequeño ha tenido que pasar, si quiere pensar que es un marciano, yo no voy a discutir con él. En realidad, pienso que es encantador. Este niño está solo en el mundo y debe sentirlo de veras. Al menos, esto le da la ocasión de aferrarse a algo, una oportunidad, la única que tiene. Sería estúpido intentar arrebatársela.
✓ Yo todavía manejaba esa creencia firme de que suficiente amor podía curar cualquier cosa.
✓ Entonces ocurrió aquello, lo que siempre le ocurre a un adulto cuando está dispuesto a jugar con un niño. Redescubrí mi propia infancia.
✓ En ese momento, vi cómo sería el futuro; un padre, un hijo y un perro: una familia.
✓ —Humm… Dennis, ¿cuándo te gustaría comenzar a llamarme papá?
—Cuando tú empieces a llamarme a mí hijo.
—Está bien, hijo.
—Está bien, papá.
✓ Recordé un viejo fragmento de sabiduría proveniente de la ingeniería: «Si no sabes dónde está el botón de apagado, no presiones el botón de encendido». También era aplicable a los niños.
✓ Un milagro conlleva compromiso. Nunca ocurre por accidente.
✓ Los autores construyen sus propias realidades, se mudan allí, y envían cartas a casa ocasionalmente.
March 14, 2017
I fell in love with the movie version before I read this, so my perspective is probably skewed, but I thought the film had a lot more heart.
April 22, 2012
This is my second read through of this book and I think it is one of the few novels that I find the movie to be more interesting (although I'm disappointed in some of the changes that movie made to make it more PC). However, Martian Child is a unique little story that is based on one mans journey through his adoption of his son... who thinks he's a Martian. It's quirky and its cute and the writing flows. Twice I found myself underlining passages that I liked or that made me laugh out loud and if any author can do that, then they have a talent that I think isn't seen on bookshelves anymore. However, my main complaint is the dialogue. While this is based on real events, I found the dialogue to be contrived at times and while I'm sure that that has more to do with the fact that I can't hear tone and that the author was probably paraphrasing an actual conversation, it did take away from the novel for me. That being said, I would suggest at least one read through of Martian Child. At the very least, it's heartfelt and uplifting... and you can be a little enraged at the movie changes as well.
August 5, 2013
This rather odd book calls itself a novel based on a true story, and it reads mostly like a memoir about Gerrold’s adoption of an abused, troubled child. Gerrold is a single gay man, a science fiction novelist and screenwriter who is most famous as the writer of one of the most popular Star Trek episodes.
The child he adopts claims occasionally to be a Martian. At first the narrator shrugs at this, understanding it to be a coping mechanism. Then the book segues into weirdness when the narrator starts to take the idea seriously.
This could either be a science fiction story, where the kid’s claim to be a Martian has some basis, or it could be a story about a man who is so stressed by parenting a troubled child that he briefly becomes crazy enough to suspect that his son might actually be an alien.
I don’t think this works as science fiction at all. It’s a little more successful as a straight memoir if you overlook the Martian stuff. It’s sometimes poignant, but it’s also frustratingly slight.
The child he adopts claims occasionally to be a Martian. At first the narrator shrugs at this, understanding it to be a coping mechanism. Then the book segues into weirdness when the narrator starts to take the idea seriously.
This could either be a science fiction story, where the kid’s claim to be a Martian has some basis, or it could be a story about a man who is so stressed by parenting a troubled child that he briefly becomes crazy enough to suspect that his son might actually be an alien.
I don’t think this works as science fiction at all. It’s a little more successful as a straight memoir if you overlook the Martian stuff. It’s sometimes poignant, but it’s also frustratingly slight.
September 16, 2013
It could be because I’m not a parent that this book seemed to go right over my head. It’s a short read and because of the brevity I thought that there might be an underlying/subliminal theme but that’s really giving it too much credit. The story was little other than the ups/downs of being a dad! If it wasn’t for book club I wouldn’t have bothered with this masterpiece. Surprisingly, because there are more important aspects to both dad/adopted child than the ‘I love you, son/I love you, dad’ repeated mantra – ie, the dad being gay, the fact that the child had some series psychological issues, history of abuse, ADD, etc none of these topics were ‘discussed’. Instead the reader was forced to read sugar coated solutions. Overall, I got the impression that David Gerrold imagined himself to be the guru of the science of parenthood.
……..to make matters worse a movie was made out of this rubbish!
……..to make matters worse a movie was made out of this rubbish!
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