There is no way I could "like" this book, and thus I call it "okay." It's a decent narrative....very disturbing. The conditions in post-Soviet "social" institutions during the nineties were pretty much unspeakable. Recent times are not that much better, though a few places have received infusions of cash and equipment. But I have seen enough of hospitals in major Russian cities (for just one example) to know that things are still very bad indeed.Is exporting every Russian orphan to America the answer? Certainly not. The boy in this book has some serious charisma and simply got lucky. So lucky was he, in fact, that he was adopted by a Russian-American and is being raised in the Orthodox Christian faith. He got to keep his name (Ivan/John) and is aware of who he is and from whence he came. But what about all the other Russian orphans? Is their only hope to be extra special cute and find Americans rich enough to transport them far away from everything they've ever known?Russia needs her children. But until some very serious socio-spiritual wounds begin to heal, no amount of platitudes, money, and new plastic toys will help. As noted in the book, most Russian "orphans" have a living parent or parents. Problem is, said parents are too strung out on drugs or alcohol to care for them. Said parents perhaps grew up in great deprivation themselves, and now they live in places where there is no job and no future, with poisoned air, water, and soil, with corrupt bureaucracies and a police force which poses a danger to the very citizens it is supposed to protect.The most serious problem is a belief that those somehow "deficient" not only deserve to die, but should never dare to encumber the "normal" with their hideous presence. In the Soviet Union, and now in post-Soviet Russia, anyone with the slightest disability or deformity is either aborted or encouraged to stay inside and away from the public. Minor problems such as club foot and harelip mean certain doom as children (like Vanya of the book) are branded substandard, chained to a crib, and left to languish. Been to prison? (A large proportion of Russian men has or will.) Forget about ever being treated like a human being again. Fought in Afghanistan or Chechnya? Forget about ever getting a well-paying job. Teacher, professor, or doctor? Feed your family on a few hundred dollars a month, if that. Live in a building that should be condemned? Hold on to that hovel, because next stop's the street. It's tough out there. Live with the wolves, they say, and howl like one.Russians are great people. But Russian society is really messed up. As the eternal Russian question goes, "chto delat'?" ("what is to be done?"). I don't know. Pass the beer. This is an inspiring, amazing book about a little boy with nothing going for him but amazing resilience and inner strength. He has no family but people go out of their way to help him because it is clear that he is special. No matter what happens to him, he just won't give up. This is an amazing story about the triumph of the human spirit. Everyone can learn something form this book. This book says a lot about how children with disabilities are treated in some parts of the world and how they just want to be given a chance. It has also made me think seriously about becoming a foster and/or adoptive parent.
What do You think about Het Weeskind (2011)?
One of the most eye-opening and impactful books I've read in a very long time.
—Rose
loved it, really shocking and terrible but a wonderful story in the end
—RaeRae
Excellent read and based on a true story. Highly recommend!
—Slash
Heartbreaking. Left me with a lot of unanswered questions.
—Lilyhor13
