Blog Archives
So Close, Yet So Far Away
Finding Max is a memoir detailing your relentless decades-long search for your father’s birth family, uncovering hidden truths, confronting painful secrets, and redefining the meaning of family along the way. Why was this an important book for you to write?
After a couple of deaths in the family, only a few months apart, I felt dread and urgency to tell the story of Finding Max. I had wanted to tell the story before, but I was putting it off until “I had more time in life.” Unfortunately, the deaths of those close family members made me realize that time may not be my friend, and I’d better do this while it’s fresh and raw.
What was the most surprising discovery you made during your search for your father’s birth family?
There are so many actually. Every discovery was something I wasn’t necessarily expecting. But I think the most surprising thing was the connection to the birth father that was absolutely never expected, so close, yet so far away.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of your search, what would it be?
One piece of advice is tough. Throughout my book, I give reflections on lessons learned, and there are so many. But if I had to go back and give one, I would tell myself to spend more time with my dad’s birth family after I’d found them, visit them more often, and take vacations with them, because time is stolen from you and you never know how much time you really have.
How has this journey changed your perspective on identity and what it means to be “family”?
Family is not something you’re born into, it’s something you make, and not necessarily by blood. You’re not bound by birthright.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
As a teen, Jennifer Wallig learned that her father was adopted, turning what she thought she knew about her family history—and identity—upside down. Her life had been turbulent as the child of divorced parents inundated with their own struggles. These revelations changed everything.
In Finding Max, Jennifer shares her journey to find her father’s birth family, uncovering surprising secrets and unsettling lies. This is the inspirational story of a daughter devoted to her beloved father, a man burdened with PTSD and addiction who never felt fully accepted by his adopted family. It’s the story of unwavering determination to uncover the truth and life-affirming joy found in unexpected places. Raw, vulnerable, and thought-provoking, Finding Max is a must-read memoir for genealogists, ancestry enthusiasts, and anyone yearning to rediscover the power of family.
Finding Max
Jennifer Wallig’s Finding Max is a deeply personal story of resilience, family, and the pursuit of truth. The book follows her decades-long journey to uncover her father’s birth family after discovering he was adopted. Through dead ends, closed doors, and unexpected twists, Wallig persistently searches for answers, navigating complex emotions and relationships along the way. More than just a genealogy search, this memoir delves into identity, loss, and the meaning of family, making it an emotional and compelling read.
Wallig’s writing feels like sitting down with a friend who’s recounting an incredible story. She lays everything bare; her frustrations, her heartbreak, her victories. One of the most striking aspects of the book is how raw and real her emotions come through. When she first confronts her grandmother, Grandma Gini, about her father’s adoption, the moment is filled with tension. The way she describes her grandmother’s measured response, her patience, her reluctance, and the underlying pain makes it feel like you’re right there on the couch with them. It’s these deeply personal moments that make the book more than just a search for lost family; it’s a search for understanding.
The most powerful part of Finding Max is how it doesn’t follow the traditional “happy ending” structure. Wallig faces countless obstacles, including legal roadblocks, sealed records, and painful family secrets. At one point, she writes to an old address found in a decades-old letter, only to have it returned with a cold “No such number” stamp. The disappointment is palpable. And yet, despite all these setbacks, she never gives up. The book teaches an important lesson: sometimes, the answers we seek aren’t the ones we expect, but they can still bring closure in unexpected ways.
One of my favorite aspects of the book is how Wallig blends memoir with practical advice for those searching for their own family histories. She doesn’t just tell her story; she gives readers tools, offering insights into adoption records, DNA searches, and the emotional complexity of reconnecting with birth relatives. Her experience with rejection and resilience is invaluable to anyone considering their own search. She also takes the time to reflect on how she might have done things differently, which adds another layer of honesty to the story.
I’d recommend Finding Max to anyone interested in genealogy, adoption stories, or personal journeys of perseverance. It’s a book for those who appreciate real-life mysteries, those who have ever wondered about the past, and those who believe that family is more than just blood. Wallig’s writing is heartfelt and engaging, making the reader feel every high and low of her search. Whether you’re personally connected to adoption or just love a good story about uncovering long-hidden truths, this book is a must-read.
Pages: 228 | ASIN: B0DG3FSQNV
LITERARY TITAN 