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Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite
A Quest for Alex: A Courageous Journey of Triumphs, Tears, and the Power of International Adoption by John Ruffini follows John and Anne Ruffini’s relentless pursuit to adopt Alex, the biological sister of their two adopted children. After successfully adopting Tony and Isabella from Chile, they learned of Alex’s birth in 2000. However, Chile’s changing adoption laws created obstacles, placing Alex in an orphanage instead of foster care. The Ruffinis battled legal delays, a government investigation into their attorney, and a Chilean couple attempting to adopt Alex. Despite securing a court ruling in their favor, they faced appeals and pressure from Chile’s Department of Child Services to adopt a different child and a drawn-out judicial process. The U.S. Embassy offered little support, and the Chilean government sought to block their adoption at every turn. After months of setbacks, including a Supreme Court challenge, the Ruffinis were finally able to take Alex home.
In A Quest for Alex, John Ruffini shows us a pure and honest portrait of the fight he and Anne took on to keep three children, siblings by birth, together and a part of their family. I have read many international adoption memoirs, but this is unique in both the country of adoption and that their children were related. Emotionally, this is not an easy book to read because so much of it is frustrating. I understand and agree that there should be preferential placement of children within their birth country. That said, the fact that this would have separated siblings is, to me, a total game-changer. And for that, and their children, I am so happy the Ruffinis were successful. The writing is conversational and intelligent, and the pace is well-maintained. Jargon that would otherwise be complicated is made simple, and the overall feel is like having a friendly but serious chat. Ruffini invites us in, and, once their journey starts, I did not want to leave, consuming it in a single weekend. Very highly recommended.
