Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - Family Tree

Family Tree
Family Tree
Author: Barbara Delinsky
For as long as she can remember, Dana Clarke has longed for the stability of home and family. Now she has married a man she adores, whose heritage can be traced back to the Mayflower, and she is about to give birth to their first child. But what should be the happiest day of her life becomes the day her world falls apart. Her daughter is born be...  more »
Info icon
ISBN-13: 9780767925181
ISBN-10: 0767925181
Publication Date: 10/30/2007
Pages: 368
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 132

3.8 stars, based on 132 ratings
Publisher: Broadway
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette, Audio CD
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

DaniLynn avatar reviewed Family Tree on + 28 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 11
I chose to read this book despite reading several poor reviews, and ended up wishing I would have listed to the reviews. The idea behind the book was great, and at times it did have me pondering who I am and what makes me who I am. The ending was even pretty good, if a little predictable. However, I just couldn't like the characters. They didn't seem real and were not very believable. I kept finding myself asking "Who would really do that?"
scrapbooklady avatar reviewed Family Tree on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
"Family Tree" was an amazingly easy to read book. The premise of this book was an interesting concept, a child with clearly African-American traits born to a white couple with no knowledge of African roots on either side. The mother's reaction seemed a little unrealistic. It was too accepting too quickly. True she did not know her background like the husband, but she did know what both of her parents and maternal grand parents looked like. I don't feel she should have been upset by her daughter's color, just that I think most people would really be surprised and very curious like the husband was. He may have gone too far with the issue of infidelity. However, it is probably realistic to have people gossiping and accusing given the circumstances.

The negatives were too many unnecessary story lines and not enough development of some of the characters... What did Dana's grandfather and the customer Corine add to the book?. It would have been nice to get a closer look at Eaton's father. And what decision did Eaton come to about revealing his true Family Tree? Too much left unfinished... That said, this book will keep you in suspense emotionally while questioning your morals and values and how you see yourself versus who you really are.
reviewed Family Tree on
Helpful Score: 9
This was a very easy read and a great little story. A story of family secrets and lies and how when revealed can change your perception of everything you've ever known. Finished it in just a few days.
reviewed Family Tree on + 29 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
This is a really good book - I enjoyed it and I lent it to my 80 year-old father-in-law, who also enjoyed it. Barbara Delinsky is always good - this one had a kind of unusual story line, which I found interesting. You really sat and wondered how you would feel if put in the situation the couple in the book found themselves in.
reviewed Family Tree on + 354 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ,STARTED IT ONE NIGHT AND FINISHED IT THE NEXT DAY.ABOUT A COUPLE WHO HAVE THEIR FIRST BABY,AND WHEN SHE'S BORN YOU CAN TELL RIGHT A WAY THERE'S A PROBLEM,SHE SHOWS TRAITS OF BEING AFRICAN-AMERICAN THEIR BOTH WHITE,THE HUSBAND THINKS ALL SORTS OF THINGS ONE BEING BROUGHT UP BY HIS PARENTS DID YOUR WIFE HAVE AN AFFAIR.YOU JUST HAVE TO READ IT!!!!!
Read All 86 Book Reviews of "Family Tree"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

booboo4584 avatar reviewed Family Tree on + 5 more book reviews
This book just shows how far back our roots can go!! This is another great book by her!!
reviewed Family Tree on + 23 more book reviews
this book is okay, quite an eye opener.
reviewed Family Tree on + 8 more book reviews
I like Delinsky as a writer. In the Family Tree she tackles the delicate emotions of a family when the much awaited child turns out to have african american features. The mother has to confront her past that includes finding a father she never knew. For her husband seems to need proof to show his family, she had not had an affair. The story line is well drawn and the only slight problem is telling the reader how genetically it could happen. It was here the story got slightly bogged down and the information not processed smoothly in the story. She did give a small interesting twist in the ending. As always, Delinsky gives you things to think about with her characters. While not my favorite Delinsky book, it is still a decent book.
reviewed Family Tree on + 9 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. Once I began reading, I could not put it down. The author does a great job of setting up the story, but not spending to much time introducing them!
reviewed Family Tree on + 6 more book reviews
This was my first Barbara Delinsky book and I actually thought it was quite boring. I couldn't wait to finish reading it just so I could move on to something else.
bluebells2 avatar reviewed Family Tree on + 5 more book reviews
Things are not always taken at face value. A look at a family where things are not as they appear. Very well written piece of fiction. Talks about racial relationships within a family and biases people have. Nicely written.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Family Tree on + 1477 more book reviews
Interesting concept, studying the reactions of a family when the first child of a presumably white couple is born with obvious African-American characteristics. There are some simplistic resolutions, but the interesting part is how the people involved face this challenge to their presumed liberal philosophies.
reviewed Family Tree on + 45 more book reviews
Good story about prejudice.
reviewed Family Tree on + 31 more book reviews
So many problems, so many solutions all wrapped up in pretty packages. Too pat.
reviewed Family Tree on + 4 more book reviews
What a great book the story line of unknown family history is very touching and well written.
reviewed Family Tree on
Book was very good I finished reading it and gave it to a friend.
reviewed Family Tree on + 4 more book reviews
interesting story line. It makes you think. About trust and marriage and what makes family.


Genres: