Jessica Gardner
Författare till Fraud on the Court: One Adoptee's Fight to Reclaim His Identity
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Fraud on the Court: One Adoptee's Fight to Reclaim… av Mike Chalek
Det här är en av LibraryThings förhandsrecensioner.Interesting story. Like some other reviewers here, I wish he had expounded more and given a fuller picture of these problems in society. I'm not that familiar with the topic, but I found myself wondering if this is really a good example of all adoption cases or if this was unfortunately one man's experience? Hard to say. The writing sophomoric at times which was a bit of a turnoff for me. I find more credibility in fine crafted prose, but that could just be a personal reaction on my part. -KA
This was a very interesting read. Mike Chalek's story and identity are clearly presented, and raise some very good issues about bureaucracy, family, and identity. I'd love it if more historical information was included: there's one point where it recommends looking up a mentioned term. I'm more of a history nut than most, though, and I'm sure that more readers appreciate the books focus being narrowed to Chalek's memoirs. I would have loved to see more historical analysis of the changing system, especially as it would provide a platform to examine or critique modern adoption protocols, and cultural perceptions.
I picked this book up because of a different adoption case I'd seen recently that stuck in my head, in which the adoption had commenced against the birth father's without the father's knowledge, and against his wishes, and upon the fraud being discovered, the adoptive family had refused to return the child, even when legally ordered to. This is plainly an issue that continues to affect people, even though the systems that overlooked Chalek's forced adoption aren't present.
I have some minor quibbles with the writing style, and a spot where the narrative breaks to provide several mini-chapters about other people in the series of events, but this is overall very well written, very touching, and very thoughtful.
You can expect a bit of an emotional roller coaster. The writing itself is almost distant, and certainly does not hammer home the melodrama inherent in Chalek's recollections. But the clarity of the abuse he suffered, and his feelings of alienation are hard to sit through. I can identify it a bit, as someone who has known some survivors very well. My wife is, though not adopted, someone who has dealt with many similar bureaucratic issues and hardship, as a result of removing herself from an abusive situation.
Our society's social nets definitely presume that there's a family net above them, one that people like Chalek will continue to fall through, without honest discussion. You might not think to look for those blind spots, unless you knew what you were looking for. Hopefully some day we'll gain the cultural maturity to address them. Books like this are a starting point, an opportunity to expand your own ideas of family and identity, and to look at those around you differently.… (mer)
I picked this book up because of a different adoption case I'd seen recently that stuck in my head, in which the adoption had commenced against the birth father's without the father's knowledge, and against his wishes, and upon the fraud being discovered, the adoptive family had refused to return the child, even when legally ordered to. This is plainly an issue that continues to affect people, even though the systems that overlooked Chalek's forced adoption aren't present.
I have some minor quibbles with the writing style, and a spot where the narrative breaks to provide several mini-chapters about other people in the series of events, but this is overall very well written, very touching, and very thoughtful.
You can expect a bit of an emotional roller coaster. The writing itself is almost distant, and certainly does not hammer home the melodrama inherent in Chalek's recollections. But the clarity of the abuse he suffered, and his feelings of alienation are hard to sit through. I can identify it a bit, as someone who has known some survivors very well. My wife is, though not adopted, someone who has dealt with many similar bureaucratic issues and hardship, as a result of removing herself from an abusive situation.
Our society's social nets definitely presume that there's a family net above them, one that people like Chalek will continue to fall through, without honest discussion. You might not think to look for those blind spots, unless you knew what you were looking for. Hopefully some day we'll gain the cultural maturity to address them. Books like this are a starting point, an opportunity to expand your own ideas of family and identity, and to look at those around you differently.… (mer)
Det här är en av LibraryThings förhandsrecensioner.Mike Chalek's book is an attempt to describe the frustrations of trying to uncover the truth when the legal system seems to be stacked against you. Adopted as an infant under questionable circumstances, Mr. Chalek describes how he doggedly pursued lead after lead until he finally discovered just how irresponsibly some adoptions have been handled.
The book is a little uneven, and does not make much effort to discuss the role legitimate adoption plays in society, how many adoptees live complete, productive and successful lives without needing to find their birth parents, and how the law has changed to prevent cases like his from happening - including setting up machinery that can enable an adoptee to find the birth parents - if the birth parents want to be found. In this last regard, Mr. Chalek perhaps becomes too concerned with his own case, and not sensitive to the situations of others. He no doubt had a terrible childhood, but he could advocate on behalf of adopted children - he misses the chance.… (mer)
The book is a little uneven, and does not make much effort to discuss the role legitimate adoption plays in society, how many adoptees live complete, productive and successful lives without needing to find their birth parents, and how the law has changed to prevent cases like his from happening - including setting up machinery that can enable an adoptee to find the birth parents - if the birth parents want to be found. In this last regard, Mr. Chalek perhaps becomes too concerned with his own case, and not sensitive to the situations of others. He no doubt had a terrible childhood, but he could advocate on behalf of adopted children - he misses the chance.… (mer)
Det här är en av LibraryThings förhandsrecensioner.I have always known my birth parents. Not once have I ever wondered what life would be like, not just without them, but without ever knowing who they were. And while reading this book, it occurred to me that I took that knowledge for granted.
Fraud on the Court is the true story of one man's efforts to expose the illegal adoption process he was placed in as a child, and eventually pursuing a court case to have his original birth identity restored.
I commend Mike Chalek for having the presence of mind, at such a young age no less, to learn, grow and eventually escape his toxic childhood home. Not many would be ready for adulthood after what Chalek experienced, and he survived relatively unscathed except for a deep longing to know his biological mother and father. This was more than just a case of an adoptee mismatched with unsuitable parents. Mike grew up in a physically and emotionally abusive household, and that he apparently went on to live a normal life is a happy ending all by itself.… (mer)
Fraud on the Court is the true story of one man's efforts to expose the illegal adoption process he was placed in as a child, and eventually pursuing a court case to have his original birth identity restored.
I commend Mike Chalek for having the presence of mind, at such a young age no less, to learn, grow and eventually escape his toxic childhood home. Not many would be ready for adulthood after what Chalek experienced, and he survived relatively unscathed except for a deep longing to know his biological mother and father. This was more than just a case of an adoptee mismatched with unsuitable parents. Mike grew up in a physically and emotionally abusive household, and that he apparently went on to live a normal life is a happy ending all by itself.… (mer)
Statistik
- Verk
- 3
- Medlemmar
- 15
- Popularitet
- #708,120
- Betyg
- 3.8
- Recensioner
- 6
- ISBN
- 4
