I had a hard time "reading" this book. In fact, I did not finish it. It is a "cartoon" style book, which I never read and would not have requested it on the Early Reviewers list. I think the storyline is positive, in other words, a "good feel" book, just not my style ( )

A cute little graphic novel about a woman's journey adopting her first child. It was sweet, but fairly unsubstantial. ( )

The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story (2008)
Marian Henley
176 pages
Received from Library Thing Early Reviewers.

I can't say enough good things about this touching, beautiful memoir. At 49, Marian Henley realizes that though she may not ever marry her longtime boyfriend, Rick, she wants to be a mother. The Shiniest Jewel details her journey to adopt her son William from Russia. Told in graphic novel format, this thought-provoking memoir made me realize how much some mothers go through to do adopt. I know it will be on my top 10 books of 2009. ( )

12/16 - I somehow misplaced this book when it first came in... So I'm just reading it now. A better review is to come.

12/17 - This was a very quick read for me. For some reason graphic novels make some things more palatable to me. I thought I was going to have a hard time with the subject matter but this was an biographical tale of a woman trying to figure out the timing in her life, and finally just letting go and letting things happen. The art style was not my favorite, but the themes of adoption and interaction with parents as you both get older were well suited to this medium. ( )

I had read the summary of the book when I first read the review. But I guess I missed the part of it being told in graphic novel form. So I was a little surprised when I first opened the book, but I loved it all the same. What I love about graphic novels is that the author can sometimes show an emotion and feeling better in drawing than writing. The image of an arrow shooting a heart, is a lot better than the sound of it. As for the story line, I think parts of it helped me understand a little better the long and painful process involved in adoption, which is something I see myself doing one day. Of course I'm a little far from that stage yet, second year in university. haha. I thought that despite everything going on in Henley's life, she managed to cope with it rather well to get the son she can call her own. It's a great story-- one that is inspiring and real and emotional-- that is a short read but manages to capture so much in it. ( )

I picked up Marian Henley’s graphic-novel The Shiniest Jewel from my ever expanding review pile and thought, “I’ll get through this fast so I can move on to the more weighty stories that I’ve promised to review.” While The Shiniest Jewel is a fast read, it’s certainly not less weighty. Henley does an excellent job of involving the reader in her joy and despair, her fear and uncertainty. The graphic novel style fits well and her tone is a mixture of quirk and depth.

The Shiniest Jewel tells Marian Henley's tale of deciding she wants to adopt a child on the cusp of her 50th birthday. Along the middle-age highway are typical bumps (boyfriends and aging parents) and the reader quickly begins to hope for Henley's success.

I walked away from The Shiniest Jewel with dreams of adopting my own Russian baby and cheesy tears streaming down my face. Perhaps the thing that packs the most punch is not the death of Henley’s father or the difficult path to her son’s adoption, but the sense of beauty and depth in our everyday lives.

Recommended for those interested in adoption, those who like quick & uplifting tales of real life people making their way in the world, and those who enjoy graphic-novel nonfiction (a small genre indeed)

Review first published on Many A Quaint & Curious Volume
© Tasses 2007-2009 ( )

This small book is one of a kind. It combines the memoir with the form of a graphic novel. The artwork is black and white and simply drawn, and at first I was unimpressed. I have seen better artwork in a variety of webcomics.

Something about the starkness of the art though, mirrored the stark language in the memoir. It wasn't that it was simply written, but that you had the feeling that Marian Henley put all of herself out there to see as a way of talking about what her adoption experience was like.

This memoir is more than just an adoption story though, it is about transitions and the place between things - the transition into motherhood, the transition from confirmed bachlorette to married woman, the transition of her father from life to death...and how she handles each change as it comes. The story through its wording exudes a sense of taking life as it comes, its ups and downs with dignity. ( )

From Publishers Weekly
Nationally published comic strip artist Henley offers a warm, funny memoir of adopting her son, William, which will make you cry. With its talk of yoga, dating and the wacky freelance life of a cartoonist, it starts off sounding like a Sex in the City for the Austin, Tex., set. It's not. Where many older women comic artists fall into triteness, quips about men and snark, Henley rolls the reader back to a place where different generations matter and life makes sense. Comics are known for craziness, but they're also a medium that, unlike prose fiction, has a talent for making art from happy situations. On the surface, the protagonist's life is going to the aging, creative woman's hell: approaching 50, childless, with a younger boyfriend possibly afraid to commit, and, oh, yeah, her dad's dying. But even as the adoption agency screws up again and again, people come through, and her father finally meets the new son. The art's thin black lines belie the depth of the book. The drawings' simplicity works with the story, but the lines could be more expressive. Someone needs to take her roller-ball away from her. Otherwise, it's a near perfect book, especially for women over 30.

The humor and creativity exhibited in The Shiniest Jewel make it a shiny jewel itself. I really enjoyed this sweet little book. This book is a result of the author’s experiences in adopting a baby from another country, but I suspect it will ring true with many people who have done the same. I imagine the roadblocks to completely these adoptions must be almost never ending; it’s a testament to the fortitude of prospective parents who manage to stick this out to the end. ( )

I love, love, loved this book!
The Shiniest Jewel tells the story of Marion Henley's decision to adopt a baby from Russia and the chaos that follows, including parental reactions, illnesses, moves and the most frustrating bureaucratic maneuvers imaginable. Her story spares no detail of the process of Internation adoption and how it affects those that pursue it. In addtion, there is the story of Marion's relationship with her aging father who falls ill just as the adoption is starting to progress.
I loved the illustrations in the book and will long remember the face of the Orphanage Caregiver that led to the title of the book. This is a brave book. It shows the lengths that human beings will go to to love and cherish family members, wherever they may be found. ( )

I was able to devour this book over the course of two nights. As a big fan of graphic novels and especially fond of graphic memoirs, I was excited to receive this book and have a chance to review it.

Marian Henley delves right into the story of her attempts to adopt a baby boy from Russia. She deals with the complications that such an endeavor brings as well as how other people react to such news. The multi-layered relationships with her family and with her boyfriend are fascinating and seem very real. By the end of the book, I was emotionally invested in these people's lives.

The drawings are quirky and interesting to look at. The way that she formats each cartoon is unique and makes for an interesting read. The changing of writing and fonts helps to convey the various emotions that each character feels. I found myself completely immersed in the book, and as soon as I finished it, I lent it to a friend. ( )

Wow. I can't believe how quickly I devoured this book. It was all done in one sitting. When it arrived, the picture on the cover was a little too cute for my taste, & it took me a little bit to adapt to the author's drawing style, but it was a completely compelling read. The story, of a woman almost 50 in a long distance relationship trying to adopt a child while dealing with aging parents, really resonated with me--I loved it when the author feels at 45 she's too young to settle down with a baby. I liked the characters, especially the family--Marian, her parents & sisters. Some of the individual frames ("I was emotionally drained" featuring a drain, for instance) just made me smile. The ending I found slightly flat, but up until then I really got caught up in the story. The best part was the feeling of connection with Marian & the issues which she faced. There aren't too many books out there that reflect a lifestyle that seems like mine, trying to carve out a relationship and considering having children later in life, watching your parents getting frail. I enjoyed this book.

http://thenovelworld.com/2008/10/15/t... ( )

I got this in the mail today, and devoured it in one sitting. It's a delightful true story in graphic novel form of Marian Henley's quest to adopt a child from Russia. Along the way, there are many ups and downs, but through it all, she remains real. It's a beautiful message about love and how the belief in it can get a person through anything. I can't recommend this book highly enough! ( )

NOTE: An extended version of this review originally appeared on my Sequential Art Journal (http://marinascomics.livejournal.com)

The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story, is a memoir. It isn't mushy, and it isn't gentle --it's raw, it's real, heartrending and ultimately uplifting.

In it, Marian, an unmarried cartoonist whose 50th birthday is looming, makes the life-changing decision of adopting a child from Russia.

This, however, is a feat that turns out to be much easier said than done, and it proves to be an emotional roller-coaster for Marian, one that is only made harder to bear when her father's health begins to deteriorate from complications after a surgery. Soon Marian finds herself on a race against time --one in which all she can do is wait and hope that the adoption process will be completed in time for her adopted son to meet her dying father.

Marian also finds her life rapidly changing when Rick, the kind, caring man she has been seeing for seven years, finally asks her to marry him. But can she get over their age difference (he's 13 years younger than she is) and her fear of being tied down?

As someone who has been interested in adoption since childhood, I had a lot of interest in this book. I really did not imagine that adoption could be such a harsh, unfriendly process, and seeing what Marian has to go through before her son is finally by her side was at times appalling and at times heartbreaking.

The story flows very smoothly, and the artist's visual metaphors are excellent, in particular those that show all the pains, ups and downs that her poor heart is made to go through. It was funny, tender, and accurate as well.

The art style, while definitely expressive and charming, was not my cup of tea. That's not to say I hated it --but it's what I liked the least about this book.

Overall, this is a touching, poignant memoir that merits a place on your bookshelf right next to Craig Thompson's Blankets and Marjane Satrapi's Persepolis. Worth reading and sharing with others. ( )

The Shiniest Jewel is the true story of Marian Henley's journey through adoption, love, and loss, told in the graphic novel format.

Marian has a serious boyfriend, that she isn't ready to marry. She is about to turn 50 and decides she wants more than anything a child so she turns to adoption. We go along on her journey through disappointment and also happiness. At the same time she's trying to adopt a child her father is slowly dying. She fears she will be out of the country during her father's last days. This is a beautiful story of life and death and everything in between.

What a great story that is only complimented by the graphic novel format. Seeing the author's work right there in front of your eyes instead of just reading about it is wonderful. Henley has a very simple illustration style, basically line drawings yet the emotion is there. A person has to be very brave to tell such a personal story such as this.

Like the Heartbreak Diet, The Shiniest Jewel would be a great place to start for someone hesitant about graphic novels. It's a very approachable story! ( )

“The Shiniest Jewel” represents my very first experience with a graphic novel, although actually it is not a novel, but a graphic memoir. The graphic memoir seems really to be taking off, I have Persepolis in my teetering TBR pile, but I got to this first. I think this format can work really, really well for a memoir, particularly one like this that only spans a year or so.

I really enjoyed Henley’s story. I was under the impression that it was completely about her experience with foreign adoption at the age of 50, but it was really much more. The subtitle, “A Family Love Story,” is extremely fitting. “The Shiniest Jewel” deals with Henley’s relationship with her parents, particularly her ailing father, her marriage-phobic relationship with her boyfriend, and the emotional ups and downs of adoption. The illustrations are at times both poignant and hilarious, and the story itself was very moving.

This is something I would recommend to anyone, but particularly those who are contemplating or have gone through adoption, particularly foreign adoption.

http://www.devourerofbooks.com/2008/0... ( )

I'm glad this turned out to be the first graphic novel I have read. I loved the pictures that went along with the story.

Marian Henley chronicles the ups and downs of adopting a child from Russia. The paperwork and approval processes can be daunting. (I work in human services and am quite used to the lengthy paperwork and background checks required.)

She talks about the excitement when she receives the photo of little Sergey. Then the anxiety when it comes time to share with her family that she plans to adopt...a child from Russia. Intertwined with the adoption is her father's health problems. She experiences many bouts of frustration when things aren't going right. Surprisingly, I found her very accepting of the required bribes in Russia (a Hermes scarf, for one).

The story of her engagement was funny. It put me in mind of a cat coughing up a hairball.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - including all of the emotional ups and downs. I plan to share this with our permanency group and perhaps get copies for prospective adoptive parents. The title is "The Shiniest Jewel, A Family Love Story" and it is truly a love story, not only love for the child, but for her whole family.

My only question is why go to Russia when there are so many children here who need homes. Perhaps it was her age, or she that she wanted a baby. ( )

(As posted on www.worducopia.blogspot.com)

At age 49, comic strip artist Marian Henley wasn't inclined to marry her longtime boyfriend or buy her own home, but she felt driven to adopt a child from Russia. To tell the story of her journey to adoption and its impact on the rest of her life, Henley turned to her medium of choice, and The Shiniest Jewel, a graphic memoir, is the result.

Readers who have been through international adoption will likely enjoy Henley's take on it, though the details of her experience are hardly unique. But it's on a deeper level that this book shines: reconciling society's views of what makes a fit parent with Henley's image of herself as a person; grappling with her fear of marital commitment to her partner, while watching her parents confront the obstacles of ill health and aging together; struggling to connect with her ailing and distant father.

As the book nears its conclusion, Henley delves into a sidestory that at first seems tangential: a letter her father wrote to his parents after a terrible battle during World War II. The letter shows her father in a different light than Henley has seen (and portrayed) him, and, by showing his trust in his parents as a young man fresh from trauma, brings the story full circle. As Henley's relationship with her aging father nears its end, her relationship with her young son is newly forming. It's the highlight of the book; an ending that sticks. ( )

http://circulating.wordpress.com/2008... ( )

For the past few months I’ve been conducting an informal poll of my book-blogging friends; I hadn’t yet read a graphic novel, and wanted to get their recommendations of where to start. It had to be a successful trial, or I was likely to continue to shun the genre. Marian Henley’s graphic memoir, The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story, was the perfect place to start, and I won’t hesitate to suggest it to anyone interested in trying the graphic format.

The Shiniest Jewel is indeed a love story; to Henley’s adopted son, her husband, and her father. The book begins as Henley approaches age 50, and follows her life for the next year or so. In the opening pages, Henley realizes that although she is unsure about committing to marrying her long-term love interest (geographical distance and a 13-year age difference are her concerns), she is certain that she wishes to become a mother.

In her memoir, Henley shares the joys and disappointments that she encounters along the way to the international adoption of her son, William. She meets setbacks and stonewalls, yet she perseveres. In tandem to the story of William’s adoption is the tale of the declining health of her father, Bill. Henley recalls the sacrifices her father has made throughout his life, for his friends and for his family. Bill is a man of few words, but “still waters run deep”, as deep as his love for Henley and her growing family. Sitting by his sickbed, Henley recalls “We didn’t talk much, but then again … we never had. It had taken me years to understand that his silence was not condemnation.”

Henley shares her memoir in the graphic format with narration, dialogue bubbles and clever asides. The accompanying drawings are sweet and poignant, illustrating the emotional rollercoaster Henley rode as she journeyed to complete her family. I enjoyed my first foray into reading full-length graphic works! The Shiniest Jewel is a jewel itself, and would be an appropriate and appreciated gift for an adoptive family.

full review at www.sheIsTooFondOfBooks.com ( )

I received a copy of The Shiniest Jewel: A Family Love Story from Springboard Press today. It was written and illustrated by Marian Henley, who is best known for her "Maxine!" comics. This book is a graphic memoir and I have to admit that it was not what I was expecting. It intrigued me, though, so I started on it right away.

At 49, Marian had been in a relationship with a younger man for 7 years. He talked about making things permanent, but she had cold feet. At the same time, she decided to adopt a child from Russia. This turned out to be more complicated and expensive then she was told it would be. As if that wasn't enough, her father became seriously ill. Witnessing her parents in the hospital, Marian realized why people commit to marriage. At 50 years old, Marian found herself coping with a new marriage, a new baby and the death of her father.

This book is a wonderful story of love. At 169 pages, it's a quick, feel-good read. It brought tears to my eyes a few times. Marian's descriptions and illustrations are delightful - through them, you experience the roller-coaster of emotions she went through. I loved this book and think it would make a great gift to anyone who has gone through or is contemplating a foreign adoption. ( )