Monday, January 19, 2015

#Microblog Mondays - What's Home? What's Comfortable?

Have you read this yet? The NY Times Magazine doesn't always get the ALI stuff right, but I thought this was a very thoughtful piece, particularly since its written by an adoptive parent who herself a mom via open domestic adoption and has also adopted internationally.

One quote from an adoptee who's returned to South Korea is really resonating with me: “Korea is home....But it’s not one I’m completely comfortable in.” But she's sticking with it. As are hundreds of other adults from America and Europe who were adopted away from their homeland and have moved back to South Korea to reclaim it as their home.

Strangely enough, one of D's favorite library books deals with this subject (more or less) and comes to the opposite conclusion. He loves this book, loves it. Mostly because fifi, foo foo and ooh la la bear a striking resemblance to his favorite white poodle Sophie. But me, I've got issues. There's just something about it that's really forced, and tries too hard to convince that where you are is exactly where you should be, even if you look and act differently than everyone around you, and that trying out the alternative (your birth family) will only confirm that.

To be fair, the more I read it, and we read it a LOT, I mean, both doggie families do hang out with each other in the park every day after they meet and learn from each other, so I guess that's kind of an open arrangement? But argh, again, forced, and something sitting not quite right. Not all all like Muppets in Space, my favorite muppets movie ever.

Have you read/interpreted ALI plots or subplots in unexpected places lately?

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4 comments:

Unknown said...

I recently ordered a book about adoption b/c it had amazing reviews. Mu was so excited when it arrived and couldn't wait to read it to moonbeam. A couple pages in I just stopped reading, closed the book and put it back in the box it came from. I returned it shortly after. It just didn't sit right and was not the kind of story I wanted ingrained in my daughter's mind. Good reviews or not.

Anyway, kind of off topic, but I understand your angst!

m said...

Not off topic at all, Northern Star! And ugh, I hate that - when a book arrives and expectations are high and it just, disappoints. We've had a handful of duds lately, but thankfully just from the library.

Lollipop Goldstein said...

I haven't gotten to read that NYT article yet. And I hadn't heard of Gaston yet.

I used to want to find good books that the kids could relate to. But now I'm thinking that with the complicated stuff, I want them to find their own words first and then I'll give them someone else's words.

m said...

That is some excellent advice. Thank you, lollipop.

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