Since November 2009American Saturdays Book Review: Chosen by Chandra Hoffman
September 25th, 2010 by Danielle
In Chosen, a young caseworker becomes increasingly entangled in the lives of adoptive and birth parents, with devastating results.
It all begins with a fantasy: the caseworker in her “signing paperwork” charcoal suit standing alongside beaming parents cradling their adopted newborn, set against a fluorescent-lit delivery-room backdrop. It’s this blissful picture that keeps Chloe Pinter, director of the Chosen Child’s domestic-adoption program, happy while juggling the high demands of her boss and the incessant needs of both adoptive and biological parents.
But the very job that offers her refuge from her turbulent personal life and Portland’s winter rains soon becomes a battleground involving three very different couples: the Novas, well-off college sweethearts who suffered fertility problems but are now expecting their own baby; the McAdoos, a wealthy husband and desperate wife for whom adoption is a last chance; and Jason and Penny, an impoverished couple who have nothing—except the baby everyone wants. When a child goes missing, dreams dissolve into nightmares, and everyone is forced to examine what he or she really wants and where it all went wrong.
Told from alternating points of view, Chosen reveals the desperate nature of desire across social backgrounds and how far people will go to get the one thing they think will be the answer.
Most marriages begin blissfully, joined together with every hope in the world and everything to live for. When talk of children comes up it’s often one of excitement and anticipation, but unfortunately so many are unable to fulfill these hopes and dreams. That’s where Chloe Pinter steps in. A director at an adoption agency, she brings couples together with potential birth mothers in hopes of providing a bit of happiness and resolution to both sides. Unfortunately when Chloe gets to far involved in the lives she’s hoping to assist things go terribly wrong and not only her job is affected, but her personal life is as well. A story of love, Chosen is about finding out what really matters in life and following it.
Chosen was one of those stories that gets under your skin. Having dealt with my share of infertility problems, not only personally but within my own family, it was heartbreaking to read of the struggles of both the adoptive parents and birth mothers in this story. Both Heather and Penny, birth mothers, seek to find consolation in the hopes that they are doing the “right thing.” Although, they aren’t sure, even months after their babies have been given to new homes and parents. On the other hand, the adoptive parents yearning for an infant of their own to comfort and care for is equally heart wrenching; their constant waiting with subsequent devastation at a changed decision. Both sides of the coin have their own burdens and suffering, but equally, joy when a resolution is happily met.
There were instances in this book when I felt myself physically cringe. In one scene a mother physically strikes an infant repeatedly. The act is minute in comparison to the length of the book, only a couple of sentences, but even now - days after having completed it the scene still comes to mind. It was horrifying, but incredibly real. The couple with the infant not only were quite young, but they lived in a terrifying part of town, surrounded by criminals. The father, Jason, is crude and repulsive, but still filled with an overwhelming love for Penny, his girlfriend. Were it not for these characters, no matter how uncomfortable they often made me feel, the story would be completely different. Less compelling.
It’s the struggle that each couple and individual goes through that make the book what it is. Especially Chloe, the heart of the situation - if you will, who feels she’s doing everything with the best interests off all in mind. At the beginning of the journey they each seem so firm, so unmovable in their decisions, but throughout the course of the book they learn there is often more than one way to look at the outcome that results. In the end it’s what their heart desires that takes them down the path they each go, some ending in completely different places they thought were possible.
Overall, I really enjoyed Chosen. I’m not entirely sure it falls firmly in the “Chick Lit” category, but I would definitely compare it to the likes of Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Weiner. If I had any difficulty with it besides what I’ve already mentioned, it would be the number of points of view. With nearing on half dozen different characters speaking throughout the book, were it not for the beautiful writing of Chandra Hoffman I’m not sure I could have followed. Even with that detail, I’d still highly recommend Chosen.
I’d like to thank Kelley & Hall Book Publicity for sending a copy for review!
Posted in 2010 releases, American Saturday, Book Reviews, Rating: 4/5 | 2 Comments »
Fantastic review, Danielle! I have been curious about this book, now i think i’ll get it.
this is on my list- thanks for the review!