Narrative Non-fiction · Hardback

The Adoption Reckoning

Norwegian title: Adopsjonsoppgjøret

"What have I been a part of?"

This is the question adoptive mother Kristin Molvik Botnmark asks when her son begins searching for his origins, and the once-idyllic image of international adoption begins to crumble. Does adoption truly serve the best interests of the child?

In The Adoption Reckoning, Botnmark draws on her own family's experience of adopting two children from South-Korea, in order to trace the history of transnational adoption. She examines the roles of Norway, South-Korea and the West, in what has increasingly been recognized as an industry. Through Botnmark's personal testimony, the book illuminates the experiences and struggles of many adoptees, while exposing the tragic circumstances that have contributed to illegal adoption practices.

This is a nuanced and powerful story that reveals how transnational adoption deeply impacts individuals and spans across continents. It challenges us to rethink our understanding of family, identity, and justice.

The Adoption Reckoning provides a profound insight into the complex dynamics of transnational adoption and its lasting consequences. Adoption does not end with the legal process—it is a lifelong journey, shaping lives and affecting generations.

A must-read for anyone interested in human rights, and the intersection of personal and global issues, The Adoption Reckoning expands our understanding of the far-reaching impact of international adoption.

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