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A review by lucysmom828
Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love by Dani Shapiro
5.0
As someone who works in the genetics field, this was such an eye-opening read. I've talked to patients who received surprising (and completely unexpected results) after doing genetic testing, but this book allowed me to explore this topic in more depth without being intrusive. It answers the questions I've never dared ask a patient.
Dani Shapiro learns through at-home genetic testing that her father is not her biological father. After this shocking discovery, she goes on a journey to find her biological father and determine what happened. She was able to find him thanks in part to events that all happened by chance (such as her mother mentioning that she was conceived in Philadelphia, and the conception was not great). It's shocking to think that one small change would have completely changed the outcome.
This is such an important topic in the field of genetics, especially when people decide to do testing on their own. What starts as a fun experiment can quickly turn into a life-changing discovery that makes you question your entire existence. There are major implications for all parties involved. It's not surprising that she was frustrated when she initially didn't get a response from her biological father, and it's not surprising that he was hesitant to respond to her inquiry. It's understandable that she wants answers, and it's also understandable that he never imagined that science would be able to uncover things we have since tried to forget.
Dani is honest about her journey, about her feelings, and about what she wanted, which some may find off-putting. I, however, find it necessary. Such major revelations will cause major emotions, and we cannot downplay the impact of learning that you are is not who you thought you were. this book highlights how our family helps to shape a large part of our identity, and how changes in that structure can make us question our existence and place in the world.
Dani Shapiro learns through at-home genetic testing that her father is not her biological father. After this shocking discovery, she goes on a journey to find her biological father and determine what happened. She was able to find him thanks in part to events that all happened by chance (such as her mother mentioning that she was conceived in Philadelphia, and the conception was not great). It's shocking to think that one small change would have completely changed the outcome.
This is such an important topic in the field of genetics, especially when people decide to do testing on their own. What starts as a fun experiment can quickly turn into a life-changing discovery that makes you question your entire existence. There are major implications for all parties involved. It's not surprising that she was frustrated when she initially didn't get a response from her biological father, and it's not surprising that he was hesitant to respond to her inquiry. It's understandable that she wants answers, and it's also understandable that he never imagined that science would be able to uncover things we have since tried to forget.
Dani is honest about her journey, about her feelings, and about what she wanted, which some may find off-putting. I, however, find it necessary. Such major revelations will cause major emotions, and we cannot downplay the impact of learning that you are is not who you thought you were. this book highlights how our family helps to shape a large part of our identity, and how changes in that structure can make us question our existence and place in the world.