Detour
by James Siegel
Published by Warner Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
A bookseller recommended I read James Siegel's Detour. Since she has never, ever given me a "bad" recommendation, I settled in my sunroom on a rainy Saturday and read. I couldn't put it down. My husband made dinner, did the dishes and was kind enough to refrain from speaking (other than to say, "don't tell me, I want to read it myself").
Paul and Joanna Breidbart want a child. In fact, they've tried unsuccessfully for five years to conceive. They decide to adopt from Columbia since they will have the least wait there.
After an extremely short waiting period, the Breidbarts receive a referral for an infant girl and wing their way to South America to pick her up. The couple, particularly Paul has some concerns about the drug wars and political unrest in Columbia, but they trust their attorney who has worked with many other adoptive families.
One afternoon, after they received their daughter and while they are still in Columbia, the Breidbarts leave the hotel for a short while. Their daughter Joelle stays behind with the nanny. When the couple returns, Joanna notices something different about Joelle--and the Breidbarts' life changes forever.
This is the story of the lengths parents will go to for their children. It is proof positive that biology has nothing to do with love and commitment. The level of excitement in Detour is extraordinary and I repeatedly had to remind myself to breathe. The twists and turns are surprising and unexpected. I repeat now what the recommending bookseller said to me, "Read it, you won't be disappointed." I can't wait to read Siegel's first novel Derailed.
Armchair Interviews says a huge "two thumbs up."