Adopted Miracles

Adopted Miracles is a first person account of a young woman who discovers that she cannot have children by natural childbirth. The ordeal of tests, and of the umpteen people asking for “good news” is described in a straight forward yet powerfully emotional manner. As a reader, I can imagine the discomfort experienced for years in coming to terms with the inability to “bear” children. In a society that tends to judge people, men and women, on the basis of their fertility, it can be simply painful. Instances of insensitivity on the part of others have been mentioned here and there. However, I am sure that there would have been many more instances which have not made it to the pages of the book.

I am also equally sure that the eventual pleasures of having children at home, and identical twins at that, could not have all formed the text. The author mentions this somewhere towards the end of the book. The decision to adopt would not have been an easy one. In an educated family, with a supportive senior generation, it seems that the biases were lesser. For other couples, probably the inner battle of dealing with ones own biases of religion, caste, class, and colour, would be more. Nevertheless, there were enough battles to be won.

I recommend this book to be read by anyone who thinks that the love for adopted children is any different from the love for biological children. It is a debate that I have often picked up, with others and in my own head. I also recommend it to be read by anyone who is planning to have twins! And definitely to those who plan to adopt.

Mujherjee’s writing is powerful and filled with emotion. It would not have been easy for her to write it. As it is not easy to read it. I would have loved to read about Mukherjee’s husband’s view on this entire process. Maybe when he writes a book on it. I would also love to hear from children what they feel when they eventually grow up and read this book.