Scan barcode
becbec624's review
4.0
*Received a free copy of this book through bookishfirst and Grand Canyon Press in exchange for an honest review*
Surrender is a memoir of a young woman giving birth outside of wedlock in the early 1960s and the effects it had on her and her relationships. While this book is very onesided on the issues it presents, it is a memoir so the author is speaking from her experience. This book talks heavily about family problems and the negative effects that can come from adoption.
This book left me speechless. MacDonald's ability to recall her life in a beautifully, heartwrenching, and educational manner blew me away. Normally, I find it very easy to get confused with books that do not go in chronological order, but everything in this story was engaging and easy to follow. I loved the layout of this book with the shorter chapters that were never dull, photos, and facts spread throughout the whole text. This was a very educational text on the subject of family planning in the early '60s and how the system and society were failing so many young people.
bremaura's review
4.0
Marylee is both an adoptee and a mother forced to give up her child. As the mother of adopted children, I find the perspective of both sides to be illuminating.
At 15 in 1961, Marylee was given no choice by her family but to give up her child. She was sent to a home for unwed mothers and given absolutely no help. Her mom was her only consistent relationship in the outside world and it was falling apart.
John, the father of the baby, was convinced by his family that his only hope for a future was to separate himself from the situation. A high school student himself, the future spread out before him in endless possibility. The treatment of these two children could not have been any different. Marylee was shunned, sent away, treated as less than others. John had no consequences outside of disappointing his parents.
There is so much glamour given to adoption, the "chosen" child, the selfless mother. In reality, it's a horror -- children torn from their parents and losing the most important relationship that they can ever have. Marylee's experiences show both sides of the tarnished coin.
Blessings on you, Marylee. Thank you for sharing your story!
At 15 in 1961, Marylee was given no choice by her family but to give up her child. She was sent to a home for unwed mothers and given absolutely no help. Her mom was her only consistent relationship in the outside world and it was falling apart.
John, the father of the baby, was convinced by his family that his only hope for a future was to separate himself from the situation. A high school student himself, the future spread out before him in endless possibility. The treatment of these two children could not have been any different. Marylee was shunned, sent away, treated as less than others. John had no consequences outside of disappointing his parents.
There is so much glamour given to adoption, the "chosen" child, the selfless mother. In reality, it's a horror -- children torn from their parents and losing the most important relationship that they can ever have. Marylee's experiences show both sides of the tarnished coin.
Blessings on you, Marylee. Thank you for sharing your story!
hollysue22's review
4.0
I liked this book. I have an interest in reading about pregnancies back in the day and the whole unwed Mother's home thing. Don't ask me why. Anyways... I didn't like how she went back and forth from present time to way back when. I would have preferred the chronological order. Still a good read though. I think it's sad the way things went down with the baby she gave up and the boyfriend.
simply_kelly05's review
4.0
There needs to be more books like this, people who have been impacted by adoption sharing their stories. So many emotions as Marylee shared her story of not only living as an adoptee, but mostly as a birth mother, a voice not often heard. I liked her writing style and that she includes interesting facts along the way. Some of the adoption facts she shared were not news to me as an adoptee, but also showed not enough has changed in the way of adoption since her surrender or mine. I was given a copy from the author.
ireneereads's review
My first impression when viewing the cover is "wow! this looks like a horror and sad book" since it showcases a girl walking forward, with her back to the viewers, and a very cold toned tunnel of trees. It does assimilate a horror scene. Yet, after reading what it is about, it turns out to be about a girl who falls for a guy, has a baby, and apparently can't have/see the baby because of the social rules of the era, which takes place in 1971. Not really the type of book I look into reading, but for those who like tragedy with a tint of mystery, it's perfect.
More...