Honesty & Beautiful Writing, March 8, 2005
Reviewer: Carole May (Western MA) - See all my reviews
Fumbling Toward Divinity by Craig Hickman is a wonderful read. Not only does Craig share the raw emotions surrounding adoptees searching for and finding their birth families, but he also shares the real issues faced by gay people and their families. His honesty and beautiful writing touches on many themes. One can only grow in insight and understanding by reading this book. Joining Craig on his journey is an adventure surrounded by pain and love.
Exquisite--A Must Read, March 3, 2005
Reviewer: Marcy Gray (Milwaukee, WI) - See all my reviews
I could not put this book down. I agree with the other reviewers on this page. This book is absolutely beautiful. Hickman's relationships with his husband, with his sisters, his parents, his birth family--all of them are exquisitely written. You can feel the pain the joy the sadness the triumph the love. Even though it is ostensibly a book about family and adoption and reunion, this book provides the best argument for gay marriage that I've ever read.
Everyone must read this book. I recommend it to people of all religious backgrounds, especially those are the far right who insist upon denying equal rights in marriage to all people.
Powerful, February 24, 2005
Reviewer: L. G. "l9876" (USA) - See all my reviews
I've taken a while to read this wonderful book, because it's so filled with complex human emotions that I needed time to breathe and think after a few chapters of its combination of lyrical prose and dynamic storytelling. The author's story resonates with anyone for whom the past is a haunting mystery containing longed for answers to essential questions about identity, love, sacrifice and survival. Anyone passionate about James Baldwin will hear echoes of the man's style, language and profoundly brave intelligence in Hickman's work. I felt lucky to have found this book.
A True Example of God's Glory, February 19, 2005
Reviewer: David Latham "David Latham" (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) - See all my reviews
I just finished reading FUMBLING TOWARD DIVINITY by Craig Hickman and found it to be a wonderful read. It is a memoir, yet it is written with the power and drive of a novel, filled with characters the reader comes to love or dislike as the facts (story) unfold. I was touched by the story of an adopted man's search for his genetic identity and the affirmation of his true self and his adoptive and chosen family's influence. The moments of discovery described by the author are filled with the beauty, pathos and challenge of a life well lived. Craig Hickman is a wonderfully memorable writer, full of goodness and a true example of God's glory. The "Lamentations of Craig" and "The Book of Songs" are pure poetry, full of strength and wisdom and stand alone as worth the read.
A Truly Divine Read, February 15, 2005
Reviewer: Adoption Angel (Flagstaff, Arizona) - See all my reviews
All I really have to way is WOW! The cover says "A Great Book" and it doesn't lie. I'm an adult adoptee who just happened to stumble upon this gem. I thought the title alone was worth my money, so I bought it. I had never heard of Craig Hickman before, but after this, I hope many people take notice of this great and talented author. I'm a fan of James Baldwin and it felt like I was reading "Another Country" or "Giovanni's Room." Hickman takes you on a wonderful journey (it seems like everyone in the book is on a journey somewhere) that is at times funny, painful, sad, ugly, but ultimately beautiful. Even though it's a true story, it reads like a novel. (It helps that Hickman chose to tell most of the story in the third person.) The writing is at times lyrical, biblical, and the poetry was phenomenal. And the letters! I won't spoil anything here, but the letters Hickman writes to his family members are brilliant. At first I was put off, and then I realized that letter writing is one of the most non-confrontational forms of communication a person can use to express difficult feelings. This book is not just for the adoption community. It speaks to all of humanity. The insights and wisdom found in these pages is like a wake up call for everyone. I couldn't put it down, and I know I'm going to read it again. I highly recommend this book. It is a truly divine read.
