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Paperback
Format: Bargain Price
Dan Savage's nationally syndicated sex advice column, "Savage Love," enrages and excites more than four million people each week. In The Kid, Savage tells a no-holds-barred, high-energy story of an ordinary American couple who wants to have a baby. Except that in this case the couple happens to be Dan and his boyfriend. That fact, in the face of a society enormously uneasy with gay adoption, makes for an edgy, entertaining, and illuminating read. When Dan and his boyfriend are finally presented with an infant badly in need of parenting, they find themselves caught up in a drama that extends well beyond the confines of their immediate world. A story about confronting homophobia, falling in love, getting older, and getting a little bit smarter, The Kid is a book about the very human desire to have a family.
"A disarmingly frank, wickedly funny account of an ultimately successful quest to adopt a baby." --People
"Very funny . . . Compelling and moving." --Newsday
Best known for his syndicated sexual advice column, "Savage Love," Dan Savage shares his own story in The Kid, a hilarious account of his efforts--along with his partner--to adopt a child. (Whoops, make that his boyfriend; Savage can't stand the "genderless" P-word: "Straight people and press organs that want to acknowledge gay relationships while at the same time pushing the two-penises stuff as far out of their minds as possible love 'partner.' I hated it.") Savage doesn't give an inch on the sexuality issue; it's hard to imagine that a homophobic reader would even pick up The Kid, but if it happened, Savage's unapologetic presentation of his life would quickly scare that reader off. Which isn't to say that he paints a rosy picture of homosexual cohabitation: the very first scene finds Dan's boyfriend, Terry, locking himself in the bathroom after a fight over the music on the car stereo. The misadventures continue through each step of the open-adoption process, in which Dan and Terry get to know their baby's birth mother, and the first few weeks of parenthood. The Kid is a wonderful, charming account of real "family values" that proves love knows no limits.
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| I want more!! |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I just can't get enough of Dan Savage. He draws us into his life and paints a picture that is intensely interesting and surprisingly relatable. You can't put this book down. He's just such a skilled writer! His writing is perfectly conversational, yet, thoughtfully and intelligently written. He does a very nice job at mixing memoir with personal life philosophy.
It's completely satisfying to read as the beautiful relationship of he and his boyfriend grow as they adopt this child. Dan is admittedly not "mushy-gushy." However, you can tell how much he's completely in-love with boyfriend through the affectionate manner in which he describes their arguments and fights in that way that only people who can't live without each other fight and argue.
You finish this book feeling you personally know Dan. However, you don't, and now you're dying to be in his life!
I couldn't recommend this book more. "The Committment" is equally as good (and it's this book's sequel -- about 5 years in this book's future).
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| A Serious Comedy |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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Dan Savage wrote an amazing account of the good and bad times of becoming a two-same-sex parent family. As a single gay man who is researching his potential of becoming a single gay dad, I definitely learned something from Dan & his partner's story. Dan's accounts drew a picture of possibility for me in a very funny way. Thanks Dan. If I wasn't sure about having kids before reading your book, I certainly am sure now!
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| My introduction to Dan Savage's mind... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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The book was totally amusing - I found myself having to stop reading in several places to laugh out loud.
Dan expressed so well the urge of all humans - gay and straight - to leave something of themselves behind in their children.
For us straight people, it was a nice introduction to the world of gay people. Explaining the lifestyle - and how very much the same we all are.
I'm very much looking forward to reading his other books now.
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| This book is good... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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I love adoption stories and after hearing Dan Savage on "This American Life" talk about the impact of TV on his young son I wanted to read this book. "The Kid" reminded me of Clara: The Early Years: The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life, in which the author relates the tale of adopting her son from Russia (despite the title). Adoption stories are often as long, complicated, and painful as stories of recovery from addiction. There is always a beginning of tenuous hope, a middle riddled with nagging fear, and finally, an end of joyful success which is only the beginning of a new life. Dan Savage writes with wonderful honesty and humor about an authenically scary life decision. His true talent as a writer shines forth in this book. It's a fun read and informative as well if you're planning to adopt.
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| Honest account |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
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This is such a cute, humorous and honest story; a very entertaining and easy read.
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