I decided to read Then She Found Me, a novel by Elinor Lipman, after I found out that it was being turned into a movie starring Bette Midler and Helen Hunt. I found it at our library, brought it home and stared at it for awhile. If it was being turned into a movie, well, what did that mean? Was it just that good or was it so outrageous that it would be mildly offensive? Finally, I picked it up. And could hardly force myself to put it down.

I'll admit: I should have read this book before I knew which famous celebrities would be portraying the characters in the book. It kind of shades how you read and perceive things. Even still, I found the characters somewhat believable in their roles of birth mother, relinquished child, and significant other of the adoptee. The storyline had its ups and downs. I kept reminding myself, "This is fiction, Jenna." And it was fiction. Good fiction.

April, adopted in 1952, is suddenly reunited with her biological mother, Bernice. April's parents had passed away in quick succession over two years earlier. Bernice knows this because she's been following her daughter's life as she learned her new name very early post-relinquishment. April is a very down to earth kind of woman. Bernice, on the other hand, is a television star in Boston and is anything but down to earth. Can you see the communication problems forming now?

Things go awry as Bernice continues to lie to April about the events surrounding the adoption and the identity of her biological father. Eventually, April learns the truth from a trusted friend and outs her mother. Somehow they manage to salvage their relationship despite the shocking news that is revealed.

In the midst of everything, sideline stories run. April falls in love with another teacher at her school. Bernice, and then April, have a stalker. A wedding comes into play as well as a divorce. It's all kind of interesting how everything plays in together. The author does a great job of working appropriate adoption discussions and issues into conversations and situations. One conversation during a pivotal point in the book had the hair on the back of my neck standing on end. I have to quote it to pique your interest as well.

"What kind of person gives her baby away? I've been asking myself the question for twenty-some-odd years. Wondering. Assuming she had suffered for it, never really allowing myself to blame her... but feeling real anger" -- Sonia hit her chest with a clenched fist -- "especially when the baby appeared and the history got rewritten..."

Is your interest piqued? It should be.

So, will I see the movie? To be honest? I hate seeing movies after I read the book. Too much is changed. As an avid reader, I submit myself wholly to the characters in the story. I feel their pain. I laugh with them. I remember what they were wearing. And when things are changed to fit screenplays, to make things look better on screen or "just because they can," I get annoyed. All the same, I'll be dragging my Husband to the theater to watch this one. (Hey, I get a chick flick every now and again!) If anything, the wedding scene at the end of the book (and, thus I would assume, at the end of the movie) is at least reason enough to catch the film. I love me a good wedding scene! What can I say, I'm a sap and I like pretty dresses. And, oh, I want to see this dress. Want to know why?

Read the book. And get back to me. ;)

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For more book reviews, read:

1. B-Mother - September 2007.

2. Lifegivers: A Wrap-Up - August/September 2007.

3. Girls in Trouble - July 2007.

4. Second Chance Mom - June 2007.

5. The Bad Mother's Handbook - May 2007.

6. The Mistress's Daughter - April 2007.

7. Somebody's Daughter - March 2007.

8. The Girls - February 2007.

9. Singing Bird - January 2007.

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Photo Credit: Book Cover.