Like Dandelion Dust

Karen Kingsbury
Center Street Hachette Book Group USA (2006)
ISBN 1931722854
Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for ReaderViews (6/06)

This story centers around three couples, two small boys, and a social worker. Jack and Molly adopt Joey within days of his birth.  Wendy, without the knowledge of her husband, Rip, forged his name to the papers.  Rip was serving time in prison, for spousal abuse.  Beth, Molly’s sister, and her husband Bill, play a major role in the story as the plot unfolds. Beth’s son, Jonah, five years old becomes a friend and young mentor to his four year old cousin, Joey.

Jack is successful in business, and Molly is happy and content with her lifestyle.  Joey has responded to their love.  Things are seemingly perfect. Bill and Beth have moved from Seattle and are now neighbors of Jack and Molly.  Beth became a Christian during her college years and is now eager to share her faith with Molly and her family. 

When Rip is released from prison Wendy feels compelled to tell her husband of the birth of their son.  Rip convinces her that he has changed.  He told her of his anger management classes and of getting his alcoholic behavior under control through Alcoholics Anonymous.  Together they made up a story about the forgery and went to the social worker, Allyson Bower.  The adoption is determined to be illegal, with claims of fraud. A judge determines that Joey must be returned to the Porters.

Jack and Molly are devastated.  Mrs. Bowers is able to work out an arrangement for shared custody with periodic short visits to the Porters home in Ohio for a short period before final custody takes place.  During these visits Wendy is faced with the realism and deep scars of Rip’s anger.  Little Joey has learned to pray by listening to five year old Jonah and his comforted with a feeling of God’s presence during his visits in the Porter’s home.

Molly and Wendy both vow to give their lives if necessary in order to keep Joey.  As the story unfolds each the central characters are forced to examine their own faith as they look for a miracle. The author shows a remarkable flair in developing her characters.  I found myself empathizing with each one in turn as they faced a new crisis. The choices and decisions faced become moral issues to be considered by the reader.  Joey’s insights are rich and become the focus bringing comfort and challenge to both Wendy and Molly as they seek God’s guidance. 

Karen Kingsbury has written a timely perspective on the complexities and struggles that might arise in adoption when technicalities of the law leave the doors open for a future claim on the child by the biological parents.  Another issue that comes into play is the issue of an abusive relationship and the resulting cycle.

This is a story that will linger in your thoughts long after you have read the dramatic ending. Karen’s writing is superb.

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