When Robin gives up her daughter for adoption in 1965, the law at the time guarantees that there will never be any contact between them. Although slightly older than many teenage single parents in that era, Robin does not feel ready for the responsibility of motherhood and believes the decision is the best one for both her and her child. In a lucky stroke of fate, her daughter Susannah is adopted by a loving family who give her a wonderful childhood and home life. Although aware she is adopted, Susannah has no desire to have any kind of contact with her biological parents.
Twenty four years later the laws have changed, allowing Robin to make contact with Susannah via letter in 1989. Having undergone a significant lifestyle change from a "free love" mindset to becoming a committed Christian, Robin yearns to reconnect with her oldest child, although she is understanding when Susannah sends her a polite but direct letter, declining any further contact.
Twenty four years later the laws have changed, allowing Robin to make contact with Susannah via letter in 1989. Having undergone a significant lifestyle change from a "free love" mindset to becoming a committed Christian, Robin yearns to reconnect with her oldest child, although she is understanding when Susannah sends her a polite but direct letter, declining any further contact.
Both women move on with their lives, but in 2014 it is Susannah who initiates contact. Devastated after the loss of her adored adoptive mother, Susannah is the same age as Robin was when she wrote the first letter twenty five years before. And with a simple letter, the floodgates open. Moving from written letters to emails, the interaction between the two is fast and furious as almost fifty years of separation are scrubbed away.
Although both mother and daughter yearn to know the other, it is not always an easy process. Issues emerge for both of them, some easy to deal with, others much more challenging. Learning that her mother did not struggle with the decision to give her up was particularly painful for Susannah to come to terms with and takes some time to accept. Both also struggle to accept the other's religious/spiritual views. Overall though, it is that invisible biological bond that keeps them connected and sees them move through the myriad of issues they must overcome to build their own unique relationship.
Having heard so many stories of the unimaginable pain of enforced adoption that was so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, it was interesting to read of a woman who was not initially conflicted about giving her child up. Equally interesting was how this perspective changed over time. And despite being blessed with the very best adoptive family you could hope for, Susannah's early years were not straight forward, experiencing emotional upheaval as a young child.
While a very interesting book, Heartlines is also a very intense reading experience. This is not a criticism, after all it is Susannah's story and intensity was obviously very much a part of reconnecting with her mother. As a reader, however I found myself getting so caught up, I had to sometimes set it aside to let the last section process before moving onto the next. Overall though it is an amazing story and one certainly worth reading.
Although both mother and daughter yearn to know the other, it is not always an easy process. Issues emerge for both of them, some easy to deal with, others much more challenging. Learning that her mother did not struggle with the decision to give her up was particularly painful for Susannah to come to terms with and takes some time to accept. Both also struggle to accept the other's religious/spiritual views. Overall though, it is that invisible biological bond that keeps them connected and sees them move through the myriad of issues they must overcome to build their own unique relationship.
Having heard so many stories of the unimaginable pain of enforced adoption that was so prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s, it was interesting to read of a woman who was not initially conflicted about giving her child up. Equally interesting was how this perspective changed over time. And despite being blessed with the very best adoptive family you could hope for, Susannah's early years were not straight forward, experiencing emotional upheaval as a young child.
While a very interesting book, Heartlines is also a very intense reading experience. This is not a criticism, after all it is Susannah's story and intensity was obviously very much a part of reconnecting with her mother. As a reader, however I found myself getting so caught up, I had to sometimes set it aside to let the last section process before moving onto the next. Overall though it is an amazing story and one certainly worth reading.
