- Hardcover: 368 pages
- Publisher: Macmillan; First edition (1 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1405047186
- ISBN-13: 978-1405047180
- Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.2 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 97,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Blue-Eyed Son: The Story of an Adoption
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More About the Author
Product Description
The Independent
'An extraordinary story'
The Scotsman
Astonishingly honest...one man's set of raw, moving and resonant truths.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Nicky Campbell is known for his charming but disarming interviewing skills and his quick incisive wit. He's not the sort of guy you'd expect to write a book like this. It's a fantastic story for a start, and it's written with pace and humour and the kind of self-effacing honesty that makes you warm to him and empathise with the overwhelming nature of this amazing genetic travellogue. But he's not just emotionally literate; Campbell is also an accomplished historian, making the Republican roots of his birth father come alive through rich decriptions of significant historical events. References to dismal scottish failures on the football pitch that accompany him wherever he goes and some great memories of Edinburgh in the 60s give that extra touch that makes the book a fab Christmas present for just about anyone who likes a damn good read.
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
When he set out to discover the history of his 'biological' family, I don't think Nicky Campbell had any notions of writing a book; but if he had, he could scarcely have asked for a more compelling set of characters, or a more fascinating plot. He stumbled upon a goldmine. Having the raw materials at his disposal is one thing however; turning them into a successful literary form is another. Luckily for us, he knows how to write. The beauty of 'Blue Eyed Son' lies in the author's ability to skip deftly from one mood to another. There are elements of wry social observation, soul-searching, sentimentality, flippancy, philosophy, raw emotion, historical and political exploration, poetic reverie - and the balance is absolutely crucial. It is perfectly executed with an overriding honesty and lightness of touch which belies Campbell's status as a first-time author. He desperately seeks answers to questions about adoption, intriguing questions which won't even have occurred to most people. We are also presented with a unique insight into Irish politics: there are many works that have attempted a neutral treatment of the subject, but here is one that is fundamentally biased - in both directions.
It's enlightening, it's touching, it's funny - read it.
It's enlightening, it's touching, it's funny - read it.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Summary: Honest and tender, painful and joyful - a beautiful story
The story of Campbell's journey back to his roots tellingly reveals every twist and turn of the incredible roller coaster ride that he was to face in his search for both biological parents.
'Blue-Eyed Son' succeeds, where other writers tackling the subject of adoption have often fallen short, in appealing to fellow adoptees and to those friends and family who cannot grasp the essential difference between 'us and them'.
Campbell examines, painfully, the ever-present possibility of a second rejection, and the guilt of the adopted child who fears his search will be seen as a betrayal of his adoptive family. But the greater joy of this book is that whilst Campbell lays bare the pain and confusion of his experiences, he weaves among those blacker threads of the story, many golden threads of laughter and even bathos. Within minutes of first meeting a half sister, they are both taking off socks and shoes to compare their genetically identical toes. Family researchers love these ties to the past - but they are meat and drink to adopted people.
This book is essential reading for adoptive parents who can't comprehend the need to search; it would make a perfect gift for partners and friends who want to know more about this complex and woefully neglected social group'; but above all, it will be welcomed by adopted people, not only as a mirror for their own feelings, but as a connection to someone else who knows the importance of 'just being understood'.
I sincerely hope that this book will find a wider audience than simply those seasoned readers of celebrity autobiographies. Nicky Campbell's 'Blue-Eyed Son' may reach the hearts that other books on the subject have failed to reach.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Adoption search
Very unexpectedly I am embarking on a search to find an adopted sibling and I was recommended to read this book by an adoption agency to prepare me for what I may discover. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Miss B. Walters
A little bit too much politics?
I had hoped that this book would be a useful perspective on adoption that I could offer adopted members of my family. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Medusa
Blue-Eyed Son
Great read - Nicky's story is similar to my own. I found my genetic family two years ago and the emotions Nicky writes about, are the same feelings and aspirations as myself when... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Helen
Adoption
I did not like this book, I felt it was not a true experience of adoption, I flt it was wrote like a fairy story and it was not a good read.
Published 5 months ago by sarah
Blue eyed Son
I read this book Blue eyed Son by Nicky Cambell and throughly enjoyed it.Its a well written story about Nicky been adopted,i would reccomend this book to anyone. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Eddy
Good Read!!!
This is a well written book about an often very difficult subject. The book is helped by the author being a well known broadcastor and who himself was adopted. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Donald Clarke
A good read
Being adopted myself, i found this to be so true and close to my heart
Published 19 months ago by Bubba
A great read
If you have an interest in other peoples life and experiences then you will love to read this book
Published 20 months ago by Mrs. C. Newe
ruthless enquiry
Nicky Campbell has employed the same ruthless approach to the research for his biological parents that he uses in his interviews for radio and television. Read more
Published on 3 Oct 2007 by G. A. Graham
Blue-eyed Son
This book is profoundly moving; nothing less than that. I read it
recently and was just having a peek at Amazon to add my tuppence worth. Read more
recently and was just having a peek at Amazon to add my tuppence worth. Read more
Published on 28 Jun 2007 by Mr. G. S. Horwood
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