Monday, May 17, 2010

2010 Book #20: Misconception by Paul and Shannon Morrell

I have finished listening to Misconception by Paul and Shannon Morrell.

A few years after a successful round of in vitro-fertilization and the birth of twin daughters, there was a mix up at the lab. The couple's other embryos had been thawed and "transferred into another woman." This book is their side of the story of what happened and their journey through this experience.

I did enjoy listening to this book for the most part. It seemed like there was some repetition through the book. For example, she (Shannon) kept repeating how private the whole situation was for her and her family and she did not want to go public with what had happened. Obviously, she changed her mind since she wrote a book about it and the story was on the national news! It just felt a little overboard on the many times she said it was so private but then they went ahead and shared it. Also, I would really like to hear the other family's (the Savage's) side of this story. The book would have been more balanced with that I think. While the Morrell's reiterated their thankfulness throughout the book for the other couple (the Savage's) choosing to give their baby life instead of choosing an abortion, there were points that I felt that Shannon painted the Savage's in a negative light because of the choices they did make in the pregnancy (like not wanting to meet her immediately...she gave the impression they should have been willing to meet them right away). Many times I got the impression the author wanted people to feel sorry for her and what she had to go through.

I don't have experience with anyone in my life using IVF so it was informative to learn more about this subject and the ethical and moral issues involved (which I find many). It was an interesting book and was written in such a way that I wanted to know what would happen next for this family.

The narrator (Tavia Gilbert) did an outstanding job reading this book. I really enjoyed listening to her.

Have a day of blessings!


The audio version of this book was provided through christianaudio Reviewers Program and I was not required to post a positive review.

2 comments:

Denise said...

Wow, sounds like an interesting book.

sister sheri said...

Good review, Bethany. I so appreciate your honesty. I recently agreed to read a book and review it, but due to some questionable material in it... I have not done it. I realized that I have difficulty writing reviews for books I can't endorse... so I really appreciate people who can.