‘The Other Daughter’ circumstances surreal

by Jennie McGhan
In reading The Other Daughter by Miralee Ferrell, it makes you wonder how your own family would react if it unexpectedly grew by one.
This book explores the reaction of a family when a child appears at their doorstep, claiming the patriarch of the family is her father.
This child is a surprise to everyone in the family. She is withdrawn and scared, not feeling as though she is wanted. However, she and the family have been forced into the situation when her uncle left her at the Carson’s doorstep without even a word to the family.
The Carsons are typically kindhearted and have taken in foster children in the past. But, this child was dropped off at the door step out of the blue, because her mother has died. David happens to be her father and was unaware of that fact, though he had some recollection of a one-time incident with her mother prior to his being married to Susanne.
David is forced to reconcile his relationship with Susanne through a number of apologies. He has to confront the fact that his past has caught up with him and somehow balance his relationship with his daughter and the family whom he had been setting an example for over the years.
Susanne has a hard time dealing with Brianna, David’s daughter, and her resemblance to her husband. She struggles with anger and frustration at the situation, guarding herself from fostering a caring heart toward the girl.
Susanne does all the “right things.” However, Brianna is much like any other child and can see that the kindness shown is only for the sake of appearances. Brianna senses Susanne’s resentment of the situation.
It doesn’t help that Susanne has a friend that reinforces negative feelings about both David and Brianna when Susanne has a “girls night out.”
The Carson children readily accept their new sister and so does David’s grandfather, a man deeply committed to his Nez Perce heritage. Grandfather reaches Brianna in a way that leaves Susanne and David feeling a level of conviction and wonderment. But, they are left to ponder his secret.
It takes much soul searching, and the threat of losing Brianna to her drunken uncle to open the eyes of Susanne. She learns she has a right to feel injured regarding her husband’s indiscretion. She also learns she owes herself the peace granted in forgiving and loving those whom she has been gifted.
David learns he not only has a responsibility to Brianna and his family, but to his own heart. He seeks to bridge the gap in his relationships after this realization.
The Carsons’ two children exhibit the ability to love unconditionally from the beginning. They embrace their new sister and do their best to ensure she feels their love…it just takes the two parents a little longer.
The Other Daughter is both poignant and insightful. It opens up a subject matter that similarly mirrors situations found across our nation. The author, Miralee Ferrell, is from Washington state, and the story is loosely based on actual events in her life.
This book is both heartbreaking and inspiring. I would highly recommend this book as a good lesson in love, forgiveness and faith.