The Girl in the Orange Dress: Searching for a Father Who Does Not Fail

I almost feel like I am just "piling on" by becoming the 17th reviewer to give this book 5 stars, with not even one lower recommendation. If ever there was a book deserving of such unanimity, however, this is it. This is the story of a little girl who grew up with a loving adoptive family that actually expanded through the dissolution of divorce, but her underlying sense was always one of abandonment and the threat of further severing of ties. To respond, she built a shell, distancing herself from meaningful relationships and always, always searching for the ideal father she had never had. Ms. Starbuck's forthright description of the pain of that search and the way it was wonderfully completed is told with great humor as well as sensitivity. For anyone who has adopted, has been adopted, or is considering adopting, this is a must read book. For those who may be in the middle of searching for that "father who does not fail," this is a must read book. And for all the rest of us who want to read more than just another memoir, this is a must read book. In other words, buy it, read it, and share it with everyone you know.

I'm a big reader (I read about a book a week), and this is my all time favorite book I've ever read. Read it. You'll love it.

Throughout her childhood, Margot Starbuck was always told that she was "chosen and special". She was adopted when she was just a few weeks old. Always thinking that her upbringing was nothing but happy and warm because she had so many people who loved her, reality hit her hard as an adult. Margot started to feel the pain of abandonment, from her birth father and her adoptive father, and her heavenly Father. Margot was also going through life with a smile on her face to hide her pain all the while seeking to find the Father that she could trust. What amazed me the most was the fact that Margot studied theology at Princeton and she still struggled to realize that God loves her and God has chosen her and that she could trust Him. I find a lot of comfort in knowing that she had that type of struggle because I think a lot of people do, I know I did. I have a fairly simple faith, I tend not to dig too deep, but I really appreciate the depth of Margot's faith. I also admire her for never giving up on finding the answers she needed. While I was reading this book, I did something that goes against my own rules - I dog-eared pages and underlined passages I wanted to remember. There are so many powerful and important lessons for all of us in this book. I especially liked her Tootsie Pop analogy that she used; "I was sooo Tootsie Pop", Margot says, "The lickin' I'd been taking felt interminable, and now it felt like I was being crunched up and spit out." Margot has had to deal with not just emotional pain in her life, but physical pain as well. She has had pain in her feet for years and sought healing anywhere she could find it. With all my fibromyalgia issues, I can certainly relate to her pain. I also admire her tremendously for working so hard and praying for relief from her pain. She never stopped having faith that she would find help for her pain. I really enjoyed this book. It is very open and frank, which I'm sure was difficult for Margot, but I know anyone who reads The Girl in the Orange Dress will appreciate her honesty. I know I will use her wisdom and her experiences to help me through those days when I am wondering where God is. I will come back again and again to this book. I feel like I have a new friend in Margot. Get yourself a copy of this book and take this journey with Margot. It will leave you feeling more loved by your Father than you could possibly imagine.

The Girl in the Orange Dress grabbed me and held on 'till the very last word. Margot has such a refreshing voice! She's honest about her failings (as well as those of her family) and her doubts, but at the same time, she shares her journey of grace and faith in a loving Father God with conviction. Her humor shines on each page, as does her eclectic spirit. Highly recommended!

As Margot Starbuck searches for a father who does not fail, she gives us the rare privilege of a story that points to a deep, holostic, and vibrant gospel. In a world of shallow answers and "smiley" faith, Margot narrates a real journey into the heart of God -- full of tears, joy, heartbreak, mistakes, and grace -- which is ultimately what we need. Margot has a theologian's depth and a storyteller's style, which gives this book extraordinary insight along with beautiful style. How often does a book make you laugh and cry and also give you a deep view into the human soul and into human society? Not often enough -- which makes a book like this that does these things a true delight!