LEGENDS OF THE TWINS CIRPACI

A woman recalls the joys and challenges of adopting twins from a Romanian orphanage in this debut memoir.

“I was very ambivalent about having a biological child. I waited until my late thirties to even try,” writes Murphy. But after volunteering at a Honduran orphanage in 1999, she and her husband, Scott, decided to adopt. The couple began the process in 2000. While working at Harvard Law School, the author received a fax with a photograph of Samuel, a 2-year-old boy born in Arad, Romania, who landed in an orphanage in that country. Murphy felt a potent connection to Samuel and proceeded with his adoption. After traveling to Romania to collect the child, the couple discovered that Samuel had a twin sister, Emanuela, who was considered autistic. Returning to America with Samuel, the author and Scott endeavored to adopt Emanuela. But they hit some difficulties when Romania imposed a moratorium on intercountry adoption. After finally reuniting the twins, Murphy observed the physical and mental challenges the children faced following the trauma they experienced in the orphanage. The author details the success of a “custom-designed” education that later helped the kids to “function in society and build their lives.” Murphy writes powerfully and poignantly about her children’s early difficulties: “Their lives are examples of humankind’s responsibilities to each other. Their story is one of what happens when children suffer extreme deprivation in their early years.” Her message is one of hope and compassion, although the author fearlessly speaks her mind. Regarding her religious beliefs, she asserts: “Those who are turned off by any mention of God’s influence, frankly I say, ‘Too bad.’ ” Rather than following a linear timeline, the heartfelt memoir is organized thematically with chapter titles like “School” and “Faith.” This structure leads to some repetition. A timeline is incongruously included in the middle of the book, reiterating facts already communicated. A fragmented approach is emphasized by the inclusion of newspaper clippings and an interview with the twins. While this adds an intimate, scrapbook charm to the memoir, some readers may prefer a more fluid narrative. Murphy does not provide a deep analysis of intercountry adoption, but anyone hoping to follow that route will find this work to be a personal, forthright account.

An informative and affecting adoption story written with conviction.