SURVIVAL
WITHOUT ROOTS
– BOOK ONE –
SURVIVAL WITHOUT ROOTS – BOOK ONE
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Absolutely sensational! Anna’s debut book, “Survival without Roots,” is a literary gem. She’s brilliant at describing every detail so you feel part of the story through Anna’s childhood. One of the most poignant aspects of the book is Anna’s portrayal of her complex relationship with her adoptive mother. You can’t help but feel for her as you learn of her battle to fit in to her new family. The loss of Anna’s beloved father was a devastating blow & especially her not being able to say goodbye. Anna’s determination and feisty personality had me rooting for her every step of the way. “Survival without Roots” is a beautifully written masterpiece that leaves you eagerly anticipating the next chaper in Anna’s journey. I am counting down the days until part 2 is released, eager to delve back into Anna’s world and experience her story once again. Thank you, Anna, for sharing your remarkable tale with such grace and authenticity. (Deborah (Amazon))
Aside from being well written, the book takes you on the proverbial emotional roller coaster. I lost count of the times I cried. All women should read this and when finished, make sure the man in your life reads it as well. Can’t wait for book two. (Les W.)
Couldn’t put this down really moving memoir or Anna’s early life A brilliant snap shot of life int the 1960s and 70s Story of adoption, abuse, love and loss. Well worth the read looking forward to book two to find out what happens next. (G.C. Weatherley)
Absolutley brilliant first book. Right from the beginning to the very end I just could not put this book down. Anna’s early childhood at times was unbelievably sad. She has a wonderful way of describing and remembering everything, even as a three year old making her own way to nursery. Her difficult teenage years are described with great resilience, she was so so brave. I can’t wait for the next chapter in her life. Well done Anna! (Amazon customer)
This volume addresses the many facets of adoption in a direct and very readable style. The Adoption Social Worker in the local authority where I live, has borrowed it to use with her colleagues and clients, and I haven’t seen it since! I look forward to reading Volume 2. (Susan B.)
Real and passionate. So honest, and as a fellow adoptee I can relate so much, very moving. Looking forward to book 2. (Amazon customer)
Wow. This book is incredible. Beautifully written and so descriptive, there are also a number of photos from Anna’s past sprinkled throughout. Strangely, it brought back some happy memories for me, growing up in a similar area and in similar times to the author. I could resonate with lots of things, but as a non-adoptee I’ve never had to confront the feeling of not belonging. The heartache and, at times, cruelty that Anna had to endure during her formative years is heart-wrenching. This book covers the first 18 years of her life and I’m already hugely attached to this resilient, intelligent and ballsy girl. I can’t wait for book 2, to see where life takes her next. (JM.)
Fantastic read! Survival without roots is a tear jerker. Personally, I found this, whether or not the effect will happen to others I don’t know, but the power of the writing leads me to believe so. Absolutely 5 stars – excellently presented and edited, smooth flow even over rocky territory, a book I devoured in one sitting. Highly recommended.
(not bought on Amazon). (sportslady0312)
Anna you have written an absolutely fabulous book. I loved everything about it from your wonderful style of writing; honest and raw, to your ability to draw the reader in and feel all those feelings you lived through. It’s poignant and heartbreaking and twice my husband found me mopping up tears. I’ll be first in the queue for book 2. Thank you 🙏 (Jane B.)
I would of liked the book complete, now I’m wondering what’s next !!!!! (Ann M.)
I really look forward to her next book. (Malcolm G.)
‘Survival without roots’ is a brilliant, heart felt story of a young girls struggle through life’s ups and deep downs. (Angela S.)
Raw, open and very moving: I connected with this book on several levels and I devoured it. Anna is open and honest, sharing her thoughts, feelings and experiences with the reader. It’s hard to imagine what she has been through but I’m grateful she is talking about her adoption and adoption issues so openly. Highly recommend. (Amazon customer)
At last a book written by a fellow adoptee, whose early life had so many unbelievable similarities to mine I began to wonder if she was actually writing about me. I have her to thank for alleviating some of the insecurities I have had since childhood. This one book has done more for my wellbeing than all the psycologists have done during my life time. Thank you Anna. (Rosemary G.)
This is a gripping, heartfelt memoir, giving a raw honest account of childhood. Her descriptive style enables her to share a rollercoaster of emotions with the reader. A must read for all adoptees and those with similar childhood experiences. Left on a cliff hanger, I’m really looking forward to part two! (Lindy-Lou)
The pain you endured from day one and throughout your childhood is so very heartbreaking. I look forward to knowing what happens next in your second book and I’m praying for you, it’s love and peace. (Christopher T.)
A very interesting and readable book. Life is not always easy for adoptees and growing up is hard enough during early and teenage years. It also illustrates you never really know what others are battling with.
I read the book in one session. Better hurry up with Book 2 now! (Buddy)
I was recommended this book by a fellow adopter. This was such a good read and so eye opening. I can not recommend this booked enough to anyone in the adoption triangle. Birth mum, adopter or adoptee. As a mum through adoption this book has helped in understanding the perspectives of a birth mum, as well as the perspective of an adoptee. I am looking forward to book 2 and what is to come. (Samantha S.)
A really well written book that flows brilliantly. I felt I was on her journey with her and didn’t want to put the book down. As an adoptee myself, I really related to Anna’s relationship with her adoptive mother. I loved hearing her loving relationship with her dad and how she found connection outside of her home with shopkeepers and village children. My heart broke for her when she was made to sign away her daughter. It was hard reading how the unmarried mums were treated in the mother and baby home, and relating this to my mum. (Esther)
A book like no other I have ever read.
The story of the author’s first 18 years is told with such open-heart rending clarity, I feel I know her inside out.
Laughter and sadness abound in this rollercoaster that eventually had me in tears. As well as a very personal memoir, it says so much about the draconian attitudes that prevailed in society even as recently as the 70’s.
I cannot wait for the next book in the trilogy. (Debbie B.)
This book is written in a way that made me feel like we were best friends. Anna’s relationship with her mum was sadly fraught with disappointment on both sides, but as an adoptee, her adoptive mother’s responsibility to show love and encouragement was sadly lacking. The last half of the book, for me, was the most compelling and no spoilers here, has some shocking scenes. I recommend the book for any first mothers and/or adoptees looking for true adoption stories, but also for memoir lovers interested in the cultural history surrounding unwed pregnancy. (Cathryn V.)
Wow, wow, wow!! An absolutely fabulous read. Anna’s first book Survival without Roots took me on an emotional rollercoaster. I laughed and cried as she described her childhood growing up in Yarm, clearly envisioning many of her antics brought to life with her descriptive writing. Heartbreaking that her adoptive mother was so cold, unloving and controlling towards her, forcing her to build that wall. Devastating that she would loose her lovely father and not get to say goodbye. Hilarious when she describes asking for a Bristol cream at the age of 9, I laughed so hard at that as I pictured her mothers face. I felt her pain and frustrations as she navigated her early life and willed her on when she showed rebellion, her spirit shining through regardless of what she was put through. Beautifully written Anna, I cannot wait for part 2. (Sharon D.)
This beautifully written memoir had me hooked from the start. I felt every emotion Anna felt growing up under the strict, cold rules of her adopted mother. I finished the book last night, but as it is only Book One, I didn’t finish as such, and I’m gutted. I want to know what happened next! Hurry up Anna and finish volume 2! I highly recommend this book. (Emma N.)
This is a very personal story, beautifully told. Anna captures the era very evocatively in this first part of her life, and vividly describes the situations she faces and emotions she feels. Her writing had me smiling, then crying; sometimes sharing Anna’s joys and cheering her on, at other times completely caught up in her pain, anger and frustration – but always wanting to turn to the next page. This is a magnificent debut and I am so looking forward to the next instalment in this important trilogy. (Rachel W.C.)
Brilliant read. Anna is a fabulous author with the ability to convey deep emotions and paint vivid pictures with her words. Her story made my heart ache for her as a small child. It made me laugh, smile and cry. This is a must-read. (Vicky F.)
Anna thank you for your very brave account of your early life. I could resonate with lots of it. It is an amazing snap shot of life in the 1960s and 70s. Took me back, felt your pain so well written can’t wait for next instalment. Well done Anna your debut book is brilliant. (Gaynor W.)
Anne writes beautifully about the difficulties and heartbreak of her young life with such grace and humility. She recounts the happy times along with the terrible, destructive forces within her family life with great eloquence and integrity, and without becoming overly sentimental or mawkish. I was enchanted by her written style as well as being moved by the re-telling of the events leading up to her late teens. I could not put the book down, and did not want it to end. I look forward to the next chapter in Anne’s story. A fascinating, moving and heartening debut book from a lovely lady whom I feel privileged to have met. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. ( Jackie O.)
From start to finish Anna’s true life story covering adoption had me fully engaged. Her writing style dragged me in and at times left me feeling very emotional as if I was in fact there with her. Losing her beloved father at a young age and been left with a mother who was incapable of love followed by having her baby taken away in her teens left Anna on a rocky road. First class reading, I cannot wait for Book Two of her memoir trilogy! (Derek L.)
Just finished reading “Survival Without Roots” by Anna Anderson and I have to say I finished it in double quick time, as I couldn’t put it down. This is the first book Anna has written, which makes the way she managed to speak In the voice of her younger self during the early part of her story and the young adult she went on to become later, even more impressive. I found myself laughing and crying throughout, sometimes on the same page, as her story unfolded and while I cannot relate to her specific situation, I did find myself catapulted back to my younger days growing up in a similar location. I cant wait to read volume 2 to see how her story unfolds. (Colin A.)
From the first words to the last, Survival Without Roots had me gripped. Anna’s descriptions of people and places in her younger life are stunningly sharp and her observations of life in the late 1950s and 1960s immediately gave me a vantage point to glimpse her childhood. At times, her honesty is shockingly and uncomfortable to read, her experiences harrowing. However, as she lays her soul bare, you become familiar with Anna’s world and how she managed to survive. Her memoirs are described as ‘a story of hope, resilience, and determination.’ This first book shows all three in great measure. I truly hope that the second book in her trilogy is written soon. (Ruth A.)
I loved reading this book. From the start, it evoked powerful emotions and I was drawn to find out more about all of the characters – especially Anne. I felt Anne’s frustrations, as she was growing up and found myself sighing when things went wrong and smiling when she had some mini victories. I could imagine myself right beside Anne at each stage of her journey and her references to growing up at that time in the North East of England were brilliant. Some parts were so unbelievably heart wrenching it was hard to read. Well done on such a powerful, well-written book. I can’t wait for the next one! (Helen J.)
Anna’s book Survival Without Roots gripped me from Chapter One. I couldn’t put it down. I appreciate Anna’s honesty in telling her story. Much of it was heartbreaking. The honesty around some bleak moments were balanced with humour and joyful times. I am looking forward to the next one. (Hannah P.)
An amazing read. As soon as the book arrived I couldn’t put it down. Anna Anderson should be proud of her first journey into writing. From her observations and descriptions of life in Yarm-on-Tees, the reader is quickly transported to Anna’s early childhood in the 1950s and 1960s. You will need tissues before the end of this first book in the trilogy as the author describes in harrowing detail the life she experienced and the choices made for her by her adoptive parent. Controlled in every aspect of her life, Anna suffers some horrendous situations which will break your heart as you delve further into her ‘memoir of an adopted English woman.’ (Anon.)
My book Survival Without Roots arrived on Wednesday and finished it on Thursday could not put it down so many emotions made me laugh and cry and brought back so many memories of being a teenager in Yarm. Could not imagine how Anne was feeling and what she went through so sad and to put it all in writing. Can’t wait for the next book , definitely a page turner. (Geraldine P.)
I have just finished reading Anna’s fabulous book. A heart-rending story of resilience and determination in the face of adversity which is told with brutal honesty and raw emotion. I laughed at some of the memories it brought back to me, I cried with sadness in her telling. I willed things to be right for her and felt her pain when they weren’t. I walked with her along the High Street and danced with her to the music of her life. I keenly felt her frustration and her rebelliousness, her need to belong and be wanted, her love and her hate. I passed her the mortar to build her ‘wall.’ All made possible by the language Anna uses, her vivid descriptions of her environment, her words conjuring up not only her own existence but bringing to life the changing world of the 50’s and 60’s . It’s a brilliant read but tissues are a must-have accessory once you start the first page. (Kath S.)
WHAT a read! Your descriptions flow so smoothly, that I don’t even feel I am reading! I am THERE! Longing to hold your hand or put an arm around you. I am so pleased that you have shared it with me and the world, and I would like to read the next instalment, please. (Fay P.)
The author is my new hero. What a writer! This book takes you to the depths and then some of an adoptees angst. Anna’s internal battles as she tries to navigate in her world had me in tears on my bus journeys. As an adoptee myself who felt similarly it resonated very deeply. Anna where is Book Two please? (Fiona M.)
An absolutely incredible memoir and a journey filled with a rollercoaster of emotions.
Anna is such a strong woman to have gone through, the many gargantuan challenges she faced through her life and a solice she found in music that reminded her of these moments.
The loss of someone she loves and genuinely showed a love for her, leaving her in the wake of the woman that was meant to show love, but would never show this need.
A lover that Anna had found later on as she was growing into her teenage years and the sad traumatic events of her unexpected pregnancy at the time and what horrific events that she had to go through.
From page one to the final page, I could not put the book down. Every emotion within me was tested as I felt a real dislike, a real love, I cried buckets, felt tense in places and excited in areas too. A book that I’ll even pick up again in future and will read again. A book that I emplore you that you must try. You will not regret this. 5 stars doesn’t do this justice. I’d give it way more and deservedly so. (Paul U.)