50 pages • 1 hour read
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 2010s
2019
Adult
18+ years
In Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love, Dani Shapiro discovers through a DNA test that the man who raised her is not her biological father, leading her on a journey to uncover her origins, including the truth of her conception via artificial insemination and the identity of her biological father, Ben Walden. As she navigates the emotional and ethical complexities surrounding this revelation, Shapiro ultimately comes to terms with her family history and forms new connections, while also reflecting on the broader implications of genetic testing and parenthood.
Emotional
Contemplative
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Inspirational
51,764 ratings
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Mixed feelings
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Dani Shapiro's Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love has been praised for its compelling and introspective exploration of identity and family secrets. Many found Shapiro's prose both poetic and poignant. However, some critics noted a tendency toward overwrought emotion. Overall, it is a profound and thought-provoking memoir that resonates deeply.
Readers who found solace in J.D. Vance's Hillbilly Elegy or intrigue in Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love will relish Dani Shapiro's Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love. This memoir appeals to those captivated by personal identity, familial secrets, and the emotional complexities of uncovering one's true heritage.
51,764 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
272
Autobiography / Memoir • Nonfiction
United States • 2010s
2019
Adult
18+ years
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