Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite

Adopted in 1955, T. Alex Blum’s memoir An Accident of Birth: A Story of Adoption and Identity describes a Manhattan upbringing by his adoptive parents, Nancy and John, who treat his adoption as a fact while keeping questions about his origins at a distance. At school, he learns the rules of an elite world, then sees his future rerouted after disciplinary hearings force him out of two preparatory campuses. He rebuilds his path at the University of Wisconsin, then enters advertising production, starting in Paris before returning to the United States, where commercial work opens a route toward filmmaking and shows how contracts can define a career. As his marriage to Mary Ann ends, his family life changes. An unexpected message arrives through DNA testing, pointing to a birth family story kept out of reach for decades.

T. Alex Blum’s An Accident of Birth is an intelligent, witty, and frequently heartening look at Blum's life in raw, honest detail. This is not a memoir for the pearl-clutching crowd, as instances of sexual curiosity and the lines between consent are often breached, but everything is described in a relaxed, conversational tone. I appreciate that Blum does not spend time in a 'woe-is-me' funk, instead simply stating what is as opposed to leaning into philosophical exposition. Blum has had an extraordinary life, spilling over with grit and a fair share of loss, whether it is striking out on his own with a production company when earlier ventures failed, or sitting beside his mother during her illness and reading poetry aloud to her. Yes, there is the exciting dive into a life-changing discovery and the full extent of his birth family, but the most fascinating parts are when he is doing what the average American understands, like the impact of the financial crisis and having to sell personal items to make ends meet. Overall, this is an interesting, well-written memoir. Recommended.