The Primal Wound

— Written by Adoptive Parent, Nancy Verrier M.A., in 1993, 222 pages

— Review written by Heather Gonzales, 2022

 Quick Review & Considerations: 

  • Although this book was written a while ago, and some wording reflects this, much of it still has a lot of relevance today and there are few books like it. 

  • It has some mixed reviews among adoptees- If you follow adoptee based facebook pages, blogs etc, you. will eventually hear adoptees who find this book to be of great value to them, and many feel it reflects, explains, and validates various experiences and feelings they have had. This was the primary response when working through this book with a group of adult adoptees, although there were aspects that were disagreed with or disliked as well. I have heard other Adoptees who say they felt negatively about this book. Some have mentioned feeling boxed in, or as though it suggests all adoptees must feel all of the things written, without offering enough variation of experience.  Still, others will be somewhere in the middle, and be able to select what is helpful and applicable to themselves and leave the rest. However, this does not serve as a reason to avoid the book in discussion and for learning purposes. 

  • Content can feel like it mainly speaks to those experiencing infant or younger child adoption, although there is content that can be applicable to adoptees of various ages 

  • Cites other research and literature to support writing 

  • Includes less common topics worth considering, such as section on suicide and reunion

  • Recommendation is mainly for part I and part II- When reading this book in the past, separately with both an adoptee group and an adoptive parent group, each group opted to not continue with Part III, and Part IV, although they said they were glad to have spent time on the first half.

    © Heather Gonzales, Encompass Adoptees - All Rights Reserved, 2022

 

Please Note:

Listing books here is not intended to indicate absolute agreement with all content, techniques, suggestions, word choices, or other work by the authors- but to indicate a large portion of information that was found helpful. It is recommended that whatever you read, no matter who recommends it or writes it, that readers use critical thinking and that content is reviewed in a thoughtful, contemplative, and reflective manner.

List and comments reflects the individual opinions of Heather Gonzales and are written from the perspective of an adoptee, for those looking for resources for adoptees or adoptive families specifically. Lists are not necessarily a reflection of all staff or Encompass Adoptees as a whole.

Additional lists, books, details, and reviews are added periodically.