Search - Family Tree

I chose to read this book despite reading several poor reviews, and ended up wishing I would have listed to the reviews. The idea behind the book was great, and at times it did have me pondering who I am and what makes me who I am. The ending was even pretty good, if a little predictable. However, I just couldn't like the characters. They didn't seem real and were not very believable. I kept finding myself asking "Who would really do that?"

This is a really good book - I enjoyed it and I lent it to my 80 year-old father-in-law, who also enjoyed it. Barbara Delinsky is always good - this one had a kind of unusual story line, which I found interesting. You really sat and wondered how you would feel if put in the situation the couple in the book found themselves in.

"Family Tree" was an amazingly easy to read book. The premise of this book was an interesting concept, a child with clearly African-American traits born to a white couple with no knowledge of African roots on either side. The mother's reaction seemed a little unrealistic. It was too accepting too quickly. True she did not know her background like the husband, but she did know what both of her parents and maternal grand parents looked like. I don't feel she should have been upset by her daughter's color, just that I think most people would really be surprised and very curious like the husband was. He may have gone too far with the issue of infidelity. However, it is probably realistic to have people gossiping and accusing given the circumstances.

The negatives were too many unnecessary story lines and not enough development of some of the characters... What did Dana's grandfather and the customer Corine add to the book?. It would have been nice to get a closer look at Eaton's father. And what decision did Eaton come to about revealing his true Family Tree? Too much left unfinished... That said, this book will keep you in suspense emotionally while questioning your morals and values and how you see yourself versus who you really are.

I like Delinsky as a writer. In the Family Tree she tackles the delicate emotions of a family when the much awaited child turns out to have african american features. The mother has to confront her past that includes finding a father she never knew. For her husband seems to need proof to show his family, she had not had an affair. The story line is well drawn and the only slight problem is telling the reader how genetically it could happen. It was here the story got slightly bogged down and the information not processed smoothly in the story. She did give a small interesting twist in the ending. As always, Delinsky gives you things to think about with her characters. While not my favorite Delinsky book, it is still a decent book.

I enjoyed this book - nothing heavy. Intriquing twisted family ties are brought to light with the birth of a baby.

Loved this book. It makes us all take a step back and ask ourselves "are we really who we think we are".