An important book. It makes a vital and indeed unique contribution to what is as yet a somewhat limited literature …
The book is engrossing from the first page to the last, conveying as it does moving and at times disturbing stories of the personal journeys of people, adopted as infants, some born in third world countries or born in Australia of parents of other cultures. The book goes right to the heart of the experiences of the 27 adopted people who are its subject. …
The great value of the book is that no one reading it will ever again be able to assume that intercountry or transracial adoption is a simple matter of placing needy children from a third world country or from another culture, where their roots are deep, with parents willing to love them and give them a good home in Australia thereafter to live "happy ever after". To prospective adoptive parents the book will give an invaluable insight and understanding of the needs and feelings of children adopted under these circumstances. …
The success of the book rests on the courage of the adoptees in telling their intimate stories and the skill of the telling …
– Australian Social Workers Journal, 2002
This powerful book is filled with poignant tales of love, rejection and discovery. … The 27 adoptees each give voice to a unique experience related to adoption into a family of a different racial background, including the trials and tribulations along the way. … The authors capture the essence of their experiences, which will undoubtedly help others who are going through a similar experience.
I would recommend this book to social workers, health care providers, therapists and anyone interested in adoption. People who have been through the adoption process will also enjoy this reader-friendly book as an outlet for unresolved issues and as a validation to how important each of us are in this world. – Journal of Family Studies, October 2002
A valuable and ground-breaking text that fills an important gap in the existing literature. … The Colour of Difference provides invaluable insights into the experience of transracial adoption. Written in accessible form, the book is highly recommended for transracially adopted teenagers and adults as well as the host of professionals and adoptive parents with an interest in transracial adoption. As Ungh-Thanh, a Vietnamese intercountry adoptee, states: ‘Hopefully this book will allow other interracial adoptees to feel that there are those of us out there who understand what you feel. You are not alone.’ (p.188) I only wish that there existed a UK equivalent written by UK-based transracially adopted adults. Until that time, I advocate reading this book … – Adoption and Fostering UK, 2002