Thursday, November 3, 2011

Chosen-Chandra Hoffman

Chosen


Chandra Hoffman

Harper, Nov 8 2011, $14.99

ISBN: 9780061974311



In Portland, Oregon, Chloe Pinter loves her work as the director of the domestic adoption program at Chosen Child. Although the demands of two sets of parents can be overwhelming, she takes pleasure when she successfully brings together the biological and adopting parents.



Her current clients are wealthy Francie and John as the adopting parents and poor Penny and Jason as the biological parents. When Chloe visits eight months pregnant Penny, she notices the basinet in their dumpy pad. Chloe realizes the birthing couple may be having late thoughts though they cannot afford the cost of a child. She warns Francie and John that the adoption may not occur.



This is an intriguing story line that looks deeply at the impact of adoption on various adults. However, Chloe is the only developed character as her childhood trauma of losing her family comes across as a powerful motivator for her work. The rest of the key players lack sympathy as the extended family of Penny is dangerously dysfunctional and Francie and John never move past their affluence. Still fans will appreciate Chandra Hoffman’s look at second and third order effects of adoption.



Harriet Klausner

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