RebeccasReads.com - The Sound of Hope by Anne Bauer

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The Sound of Hope: A True Story of an Adoptee's Quest for her Origins

Anne Bauer
iUniverse.com (2009)
ISBN 9780595520305
Reviewed by Jeneke Lesak for RebeccasReads (1/09)

Wow!  What an amazing and inspiring story! 

In “The Sound of Hope,” Anne Bauer writes an emotionally captivating autobiography about her life as an adoptee, born in an era when records of adopted children were sealed, making it virtually impossible for any questions to be answered about their birth history or their natural parents.  From a young age, Bauer possessed an innate desire to find the woman who gave birth to her, someone she knew she had a strong connection to, even if they had never met.  This desire never went away, even though her adoptive parents had a difficult time with her need to know the truth of her origins.

Not only does this book discuss important issues of adoption, but it fabulously written, honest and straightforward, sprinkled with cultural anecdotes to set the tone, as one Jewish proverb reads: “Not to have felt pain is not to have been human.”  The reader grows with Bauer in each stage of her life, from the time she was adopted as an infant, through childhood, then adolescence on to adulthood.  Right along side her, we feel her yearning to know her birth mother and her frustration of being kept in the dark; we sympathize as she endures the many confrontations and lack of support of her adoptive family when she is finally able to make strides in her search.  We ride this emotional rollercoaster and the entire time root for the accomplishment of her dream.

Even with all of the difficulty and resistance she meets in her search, Bauer emanates strength and sincerity.  She holds true to her belief in herself and what she can achieve.  She is consistently considerate, respectful, and kind, but completely honest in representing those who played a part in her life.  We can all learn much from Bauer’s strength and benevolence that she exhibited in her life’s journey. 

This book is an inspiration to other adoptees that have that need to seek out their birth parents.  It is also an excellent resource for adoptive parents and others who know an adoptee.  By reading this in-depth life story, the reader can be more sympathetic and have a better understanding of what this person may feel about his/her identity and situation.  Bauer also includes an appendix with helpful information concerning adoption.

Adoption is a subject I was previously not familiar with, as I myself am not adopted.  I feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this book, this genuine new writer, and a subject of which I now have a greater compassion and understanding. 

  

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