Scan barcode
megatsunami's review
3.0
I very much enjoyed this anthology and reading different perspectives and experiences of different family structures. A special standout was one woman's artistic representation (not really a "comic" comic) of her infertility experiences as well as her partner's experience of getting pregnant. It was beautifully drawn and written, and very moving.
My main criticism is that the writing quality was uneven and some pieces would have benefited from more editing, in my opinion.
My main criticism is that the writing quality was uneven and some pieces would have benefited from more editing, in my opinion.
rabbit_a's review
3.0
As others have said, I wanted to like this book more than I did.
It’s insightful and covers a wide range of stories and families. That being said, some of the essays are better than others.
It’s insightful and covers a wide range of stories and families. That being said, some of the essays are better than others.
mrsthrift's review
4.0
It's tough to rate this book because there is almost nothing like it to compare it to. It's an anthology of personal stories that span the spectrum of what families might look like when created with queer parents and known donors. There are lesbians, dykes, gay men, bisexual & straight people represented in this book. There are people all across the gender spectrum, and people and across the spectrum of monogamy and polyamorous relationships, as well as households that are shared or communal. There are stories from biological and non-biological parents, children of known donors, donors themselves, wives and partners of donors, etc. There are also families that are not white, a rare breath of fresh air in an anthology from the lesbian community. The biggest take-home message is that there are so many ways to make a family. Love makes a family, not biology.
Since this is an anthology, I have an immediate desire to hate it & recommend that many of the pieces either be scrapped or edited much more severely -- but I feel this way about every single anthology I ever read. Overall, this is better than most anthologies, but still suffers from uneven writing ability. The book gets bonus points for the breadth of experiences. While it may not reflect the entire reality of making a family with known, donated genes, it is a good start at least.
Since this is an anthology, I have an immediate desire to hate it & recommend that many of the pieces either be scrapped or edited much more severely -- but I feel this way about every single anthology I ever read. Overall, this is better than most anthologies, but still suffers from uneven writing ability. The book gets bonus points for the breadth of experiences. While it may not reflect the entire reality of making a family with known, donated genes, it is a good start at least.
ka_cam's review
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
Some of the terminology and legal situations are a bit dated, but all in all and excellent collection of stories by many different members of queer families. Most stories are of two AFAB parent households, but polycules, co-parenting, and surrogacy is discussed. Families of different racial and religious backgrounds based in Canada or USA.
ethanethan's review
5.0
A really great book. I didn't resonate with every story, but the variety was such that I found a connection in most. Good editing, clear language that wasn't academic. I've recommended this to everyone interested in queer parenting!
veganemelda's review
3.0
Really an 3.5, but not quite a 4, so... I've been on a "validating myself and my life choices" kick, so reading about chosen families- wether that be queer families, poly families, single parent families, etc. etc., have felt really good. All these stories vary but have a single theme- families coming together for/because of a child and/or growing to include a child. I wish there had been more adoption (non-kinship and/or not just gay adoption of a partner's biological child). I enjoy stretching the definition of what makes a family, and this book made me really think about my childhood. I wish there had been more people of color's stories included- I feel like I grew up with a loose sense of what "family" meant, but that may stem from both my incredibly multicultural family and my class background. Also, it could have used more gay men having children and sharing their stories. The writing abilities of each essay contributor varied greatly, but that happens with such specifically themed anthologies. It was a needed read for my mood of late, even if it didn't change or expand any of my thoughts currently.
More...