The Red Thread: A Novel Audiobook

" Having gone through the adoption of an infant from Korea, I was drawn to this book about the dreams and frustrations of trying to adopt babies from China. This book not only told the story of the various couples who came to the RED THREAD adoption agency but also told the stories of the Chinese mothers who had to, for one reason or another give up their baby girls. The stories of these women were heart wrenching. One woman even had her baby "stolen" by her husband's family and taken to the orphanage because she'd had a girl baby! I can only hope that in the real world, the babies adopted by American couples, like the couples in the book, are sent to homes where they will be loved and well cared for. "

" Sweet book. Heartbreaking at times but overall a feel good book. "

" Great book giving both perspectives of the adopting family, and the mothers who had to give up their children. Not as emotionally moving as it could have been though. "

" Just what the world needs, more mediocre writing about clueless rich navel-gazing white Americans adopting babies from abroad. Only got the two stars I gave it because the author actually portrays narratives of the women in China who are forced to bring their babies to orphanages to be adopted by foreigners, and shows more empathy for these first mothers ("birth mothers") than your average international adoption parent. The protagonist is somewhat interesting but I essentially felt little empathy for any of the many characters (other than the Chinese mothers), which made it hard to enjoy the book. "

" Simultaneously heartwarming and heartwrenching. "

" A moving story about adoption, parents, people, lives, mistakes, and the trials that make us who we are and aspire to be. The story entwined the lives of the little girls in China to the parents' and their lives as they go through the difficult adoption process. And the process of whether or not they ready to be parents. "

" As an adopted child, it was a fascinating read. Did not disappoint. "

" I couldn't put this book down and read it in a day. It is beautifully written and easy to read. The story of families adopting daughters from China and the mothers who gave these daughters up. Emotional as well especially the portions about the mother whose child had died "

" The author had some heart-wrenching personal experiences that went into the writing of this book. I wish I had liked it more. "

" It was great! I really liked the interweaving between Maya, the families, and the stories of the girls. "

" This was a good read, however, I thought it was a little shallow and would have liked if they had delved deeper into the lives of the Chinese women that had to give up their babies. The characters did not have much depth. While I enjoyed reading it, I really wanted more. "

" Loved, loved, loved this book! Beautifully written and a beautiful story! "

" Mixed feelings about this one. Didn't like the characters very much. "

" This was an interesting and enjoyable story, however, there was a little too much sex for my taste. "

" I highly recommend listening to the BOCD, read by Hilary Huber. "

" beautiful and poignant... "

" Interesting story about a group going through adoptions in China. I especially liked the stories of the babies. As far as the parents adopting, I didn't really care much for any of them! "

" Excellent book! I couldn't put it down, and the theme was different from most of what I have been reading. "

" Interesting concept - but I simply didn't find the characters engaging. "

" One of those books that reads fast and keeps you emotionally involved from start to finish. "

" Tremendous - these characters made me laugh and broke my heart at the same time. "

" Good reading. You could feel the pain and anxiety of the couples. Some you liked some you didn't but that is what made this book so good. "

" Excellent book! I couldn't put it down, and the theme was different from most of what I have been reading. "

" Good book with many characters but not so many that you cannot keep track. Author herself adopted a child from China so while a work of fiction I feel that she brings a special perspective to the entire process and the experiences of the characters. "

" i so wanted to like this book. In fact, I wanted to love it. Given the deep emotional foundation on which it was based, and given Hood's true empathic relationship to the narrative of foreign adoption, I so hoped for more. Alas, this was not to be. However, the cover was lovely. "

" I felt uncomfortable the entire time I was reading this book but I kept reading. My emotions were engaged the entire time and I had to try not to cry because I was reading it on an airplane. "

" Interesting story about adoptions in China. "

" This book is for anyone who has adopted a daughter from China, it is written by someone who has carefully researched the process, the families, their stories and intertwined them into a fictitious tale that hits home. The legend of the red thread ties it all together. Loved it! "

" Really enjoyed this work of fiction, could have been real and I am sure many of these cases happen this way. I would like to read more by this author. As a North American adoptee it is very interesting to see how different adoption cases are overseas. "

" I sobbed like a tiny Chinese baby! Spare, elegant, vivid prose - heart-wrenching subject, happy ending...what's not to love? "