Family Tree

I am a long-time fan of Barbara Delinsky. Her stories are fascinating and her characters are believable and deep. Delinsky consistently delivers a tale with twists and turns, with romance and mystery. In this story, a white couple welcomes the birth of their baby, only to experience a shock when the infant clearly has African American traits. Blue-blood Hugh and his wife, Dana, who never knew her father, are at odds with each other over the "blame" and each one begins a journey of discovery. Dana looks into her roots while Hugh faces yet another surprise. Like all Delinsky novels, The Family Tree is ripe with women supporting one another. In this book, the connecting thread is the yarn store owned by her grandmother, where the customers become family, in more ways than one. Treat yourself to a wonderful read and grab a copy of The Family Tree. If you're a knitter, you will love this book even more as it creates a glorious picture of the haven that a yarn shop can provide. If you don't knit, I'll bet you'll check out a shop after you finish the book!!

This book was an eye opener for me. I'm from the black race and I've never thought about how a white person feels if they found out they're mixed with black until this book. I must say this was a daring step the author took because it touches on so many details in life we keep hidden. We never dare think of others and how it may impact their future lives when we keep hidden secrets, but if you read this book it will challenge you to react differently. I've never, ever read a book so touching and compelling on racial issues and family situations, like this book. If there is a book to read and keep this is it,no dust will gather on this one. It's a great gift for all races. It's something one can pick up from time to time to reflect on the little intracies of life. We say we're one thing but if searched real carefully we'd surprised ourselves of what we'll find in our hearts and our family tree. Fear of the unknown holds us back from many things, but this book will make one search and dare to question the unknown. This is an excellent read, I truly enjoyed every minute of it.

"Family Tree" by Barbara Delinsky delves into the secret heritage of a proud New England family when a baby is born with distinct African features. Dana Clarke has never known her father, in the beginning she and her husband suspect the unknown as the racial factor. Hugh Clarke is driven to prove his child to his family, who will not accept a mixed race child and her mother. Dana sees his act of DNA testing as a betrayal of their relationship. Research though closed doors and family secrets uncovers many surprising factors in the lives of both sets of their parents. This story of the blending of racial boundaries across generations is told with grace and style. Nothing is a it seems, which keeps the reader turning the pages as love and trust must be regained before the young couple and their lovely daughter can move on to become another generation on the family tree. Nash Black, author of "Qualifying Laps," "Sins of the Fathers," and "Taxes, Stumbling Blocks & Pitfalls for Authors 2007."

This book is one of Barbara's best. The story line grips you and holds you all the way through the book. Her characters are real, have depth, and develop through the turmoils of the story. It is a fast read but only because you do not want to put it down. It will keep you reading until you get the end. I didn't want to put it down. It is not a romance story so if you want lots of romance and sexy scenes, you are not going to get it in this book. On the other hand, it is a love story. Love between husband and wife and parent and child and love or lack of love with other family members. I don't think the added story line about Earl took away from the story but rather added to it in that it kept you guessing. And the story line with Corinne was not a distraction either. It showed another angle of love and trust among husbands and wives. I highly recommend this story and if you haven't read Barbara Delinsky before, start with this one and then read "Together Alone" and then "For My Daughters" and keep on going. She is great author.

I read this book in one sitting and found it to be both touching and thought provoking. This is a book I will think about for days and mull over the questions it asks about race, unconditional love, family and loyalty. I highly recommend it to someone looking for a story with some depth...if you like Nicholas Sparks or James Patterson's bittersweet novels then this would be a good choice for an afternoon read.