"The Lost Daughters of China" is a non-fiction book written by Karin Evans. Published in 2000, the book explores the cultural, historical, and personal dimensions of international adoption from China. Focusing on the experiences of adoptive families in the United States, Evans delves into the complex emotions, challenges, and joys associated with adopting Chinese girls.
The narrative in "The Lost Daughters of China" intertwines the author's own journey to adopt a daughter from China with broader themes of Chinese culture, the one-child policy, and the evolving landscape of international adoption. Evans sheds light on the social, political, and economic factors that contribute to the high number of Chinese girls being adopted by families abroad.
Through interviews, research, and personal anecdotes, Evans provides insights into the lives of adoptive families and the adopted daughters themselves. The title emphasizes the idea of these girls as "lost daughters" in the sense that they were often abandoned due to cultural preferences for male heirs or other socio-economic factors.
The book also touches on the challenges faced by these adopted daughters as they navigate their dual identities—Chinese by birth and part of a new family and culture through adoption. Evans explores the adoptive parents' efforts to connect their children with their Chinese heritage and the ways in which families grapple with questions of identity, belonging, and the impact of transnational adoption.
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