Who here has read Journey of the Adopted Self?

Question

by Betty Jean Lifton and I know I can count on honest opinions about it.

Answer 1

I read it and Lost & Found. She was the first adoptee author I read and her books helped me on my way to self understanding and validated what I had kept hidden from everyone, including my husband, for most of my life.

Answer 2

I haven't read it.  I'm putting that on my 'to read' list right now, thanks!

Answer 3

Hi Gershom,

I have read 2 of her books.  When I was in college, I read everything I could get my hands on related to adoption.  That was pre-internet days so that meant going to the library or bookstore for adoption reading materials.

She was pretty much an advanced pioneer for her day in the adoption field.  What I liked most was that she was the first author on adoption who I really related to.  Before that, everything I had read centered on the adopting parents and the old ways of viewing adoption. Books written by social workers who had no idea if what they were writing was even true (ie. If you love the child enough they will never have any desire to know anything about their past.  Adoption is exactly like giving birth to a child.  Only ungrateful, maladjusted adoptees search...blah blah blah)  That sort of stuff can actually make you feel like there is something wrong with you.

Betty Jean's writings resonated with me.  I actually cried as I read some parts because I knew she really understood because she had experienced it too.  I had so many "aha!" moments & nodding my head in agreement, & saying "yes, that happened to me too!"  & "That's exactly it!"  & rereading the parts that I had felt many times in my life that had never been put into words before.  I still would rank her books up there among the best adoptee reading.  

Recommended reading for adoptees, and also for those who would like a glimpse into what it might be like inside an adoptee's mind.  Thanks for asking,

julie j

reunited adoptee

Answer 4

I read the book many years ago and have since then shared it with adoptive parents so that they could get some insight on what being an adoptee is really like.

I think it's a great book.

Answer 5

I have.  There are many points in it that described my life to a "T."

Answer 6

I read it.  I have recommended it to many.  In fact, I loaned it out and haven't seen it since because I encouraged the person to pass it on to anyone they felt might benefit.

Lifton has been a godsend to so many.  She has saved thousands of adult adoptees from feeling they are all alone in their experience, and have felt guilty for their very normal and natural feelings.

Answer 7

Five Stars.

Answer 8

As I said in another answer, this was the right book at the right time for me.  It had a huge positive impact on me.  As a Baby Scoop Era adoptee, realizing that I wasn't the only one to feel I never quite belonged among the people who loved me dearly was mind-blowing.  It seems so obvious now....