Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity and Love by Dani Shapiro - 4 stars

[Ellen]

When she was in her 50's, Dani Shapiro and her husband each decided to do a DNA test as a lark. Dani did not expect any big revelations about her genealogical tree but she was very wrong. The test showed that Dani's father, now dead for more than 30 years, was not her biological parent. To say the least, Dani was stunned. Her father had been the most important person in her life when she was younger. Never close to her mother, Dani bonded with her dad and shared his devotion to his Jewish faith. How could he not be her father? And who is?

After much diligent research and help from people well versed in genealogical intricacies, Dani did find her biological father and learned that he had been a sperm donor at an institute in Philadelphia. Now Dani faced the difficult question of whether she should contact this man or leave it alone. Dani had always felt an 'otherness' in her family. While they were all dark-haired and dark-eyed, Dani was very blond and blue-eyed. With much trepidation, Dani reaches out to her biological parent, unsure of where this would lead.

I enjoyed this memoir quite a bit. Shapiro writes with such emotion and depth of feeling. I can't say that I agree with all of the choices she made, but not being in her situation I have no right to second guess her. Well done.

[Joanne]

I have been eyeing this one-nice review!

[Meli]

I heard about this on the NY Times Book Review podcast interviewed her, how wild!

Not one for memoirs usually, so will probably skip, but good review.

[Joi]

Nice review, I've added this to the TBR.
I had seen this, but thought the genealogy of it might bog it down- sounds like it is definitely more story-oriented versus science oriented.

This sounds like an emotional one that could potentially bring tears.