The English American: A Novel

"The English American," by Alison Larkin, is a funny, charming and poignant novel. Pippa, born in the American south, was adopted by an English couple at birth. Her adoptive parents, Alasdair and Gemma, had a daughter a year after Pippa was adopted. Both were raised in the traditional British upper middle class fashion. However, Pippa with her red hair was physically and temperamentally different from them.

The story line of the book is how Pippa finds her birth mother and father and discovers her genetic roots. It helps that she strongly resembles both her genetic father and mother in looks personality traits. Finding out why she is the way she is, she also discovers the real meaning of family and finds true love.

Separation, alienation, genetics, and family are all topics raised in Larkin's book. We see through Pippa's eyes as she experiences these topics. For me, this was an introspective read because of similar situations in my life. I found "The English American" to be funny, very British, very Southern, well written, and easy to read.

Alison Larkin, in her deeply satisfying novel The English American, has produced the perfect illustration of T. S. Eliot's famous quote: We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and now see the place for the first time. Pippa Dunn, her heroine, is charming, edgy and completely captivating. This story of a young woman, adopted from another culture, and seeking her birth parents, with all the risks that entails, is universal in the sense that she is struggling to come to terms with who she is, and how she will carve out an adult identity for herself, separate from her family (or in this case, families). Larkin has wrapped up her themes in the most entertaining way--once I started reading, I couldn't put the book down! The humorous observations about the habits of the English vs. the Americans, as well as the fluidly-paced plot, keep the book buoyant, and nearly disguise the skill with which Ms. Larkin handles some serious existential questions. Who are we really? Nature vs. nurture? Can we ultimately be the captains of our own lives? And in the end, how can we come to terms with who we are? Altogether a wonderful read!

The English American is comedian author, Alison Larkin's memoir. Mrs. Larkin shares her story about living with her adopted parents in England and finding and connecting with her birth mother in America. Alison's adopted parents told her at a young age that she was adopted so it was no surprise to Alison. Though Alison loved her parents very much, she was still curious about where she came from and who her birth parents were.

Alison had both intelligence and an artistic side. Alison learns from her adoption papers that her mother and father are both from America. Her father is a famous politician and that is why her mother gave her up. Though it was hard for Alison's parents to let her go, even if it was to see her birth mother. The culture shock Alison experienced when she came to America was big. Just the language alone was big.

Right from the first page, I was laughing. Mrs. Larkin has such a great sense of humor about her. This memoir read so well that I also most forgot it was a nonfiction novel. Usually when I hear the world memoir, it makes me cringe, because while the person's life portrayed in the story has an interesting story to tell, their story can be dull and put me to sleep. The English American is the complete opposite. I couldn't stop reading Alison's story. I absolutely love and adore her adopted parents. I felt both sad and upset with Alison's birth mother. She is this woman who finally gets to meet the daughter she gave up, so many years ago and she treats her more like an employee than her daughter. On the other hand I could kind of see where her birth mother was coming from. She didn't know how to get close to Alison, so she tried to get close to her the best way she could. I applauded Alison for having the courage to seek her birth mother. Being adopted myself; I don't have an interest in finding my birth parents. I am lucky that I was adopted by my parents. They are so great.

The English American by Alison Larkin is a great, five star book that is both a very entertaining and even exciting story and also a surprisingly profound look at the challenges of finding one's own identity.

This is a beautifully written and surprising love story. The heroine is so clearly in love with her British birth parents but is also able--through coming to terms with her desires to create her own original life in America--able to discover a courage to love that is greater than any she had known before.

I think this unique book has a powerful and universal appeal:it is nothing less than a brilliant description of how to find yourself and then by finding yourself find the courage to truly love. Bravo Alison--this book is a real treat for all readers! I can understand why it became a bestseller. We can't wait for more!

Was this book meant for adult readers? It's OK as a young adult story, I'd recommend it for the 10-12 year old set. It's simple and preditable. Also lacking in subtlety and sophistication.