Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor

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Summary: I had no idea...
Review:
This book really opened my eyes. I had no idea that the egg donor industry was so developed in America. I had seen adds but always assumed it was a scam. Finding out that people actually go through with it was something new to me. Fascinated by this newfound information, I began my journey though the world of "foot long" needles, mood swings, egg donor agents, greed and money. I was thoroughly entertained and read the book cover to cover in a couple of days. Although the serious subject matter, Julia Derek incorporate humor into the story-telling very successfully, which makes this book an easy and entertaining read. I particularly like her down-to-earth writing style. I often get put off by authors who use big words from their thesaurus in every other sentence, in an attempt to seem important and worldly. This is a must read for every young woman or anybody who wants to learn about the frightening industry of egg donation.

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Summary: Forget Credit Cards - Hawking One's Eggs Is the Modern Girl'
Review: "How did I end up like this? This was not the way I had planned it." These are but some of the questions the protagonist of Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor asks herself in the deeply emotional prologue that jumpstarts this edgy and unusual memoir. And like the title promises, it's truly a confession of a serial egg donor.

The author, Julia Derek, loses no time getting into the meat of the story, appropriately naming the first chapter And So It Began: Having been in America only three months, this Swedish journalism student realizes that she has never been able to afford studying abroad in the first place. Now, if she can't come up with a way to make more money, she has to return to her home country. She is determined to stay, however. Unable to work legally in the U.S., she decides to become an egg donor. Though her first donation is difficult, it doesn't take long before she becomes a repeat donor.

In sparse, fast-paced prose that never misses a beat, we get to know the thought-process behind Julia's decision to continue over and over. Her honesty manages to be fetching even in its harshest moments. And not only is the mechanics of the donation-procedures described down to a T - with many hilarious occasions chronicling Julia's obsession with the daily shots an egg donor is forced to inject herself with - the cast is also richly drawn, perhaps one more fully so than the rest. I'm talking about Julia's confidante and partner in crime: the warm and approachable Ruth, the broker of her eggs. Eager to comply with Julia's wish to continue selling her eggs, Ruth makes sure to find interested parties throughout the city. Together, the two seem to become unbeatable. Unfortunately, as they approach the ninth donation, problems begin to occur. And thereafter, gradually, everything falls apart.

What makes this into such a good and worthwhile book, however, is that the author so clearly shies away from taking the easy route. The most apparent approach to the subject matter would be to make it into something maudlin, a victim's story that could easily be adapted into a Lifetime-TV Movie-of-the-Week. But that would be such a sell-out and Julia Derek is far too clever and creative an author for such a thing. Instead, she opts to educate the reader about the many aspects of this vast, unexplored world while telling a story that is in your face yet subtle. The narrative is filled with lots of black humor and the pacing appropriate. Each chapter poignantly deals with the many challenges women of today face when donating their eggs. The quirky chapter-headings deserve a mention - Laying Eggs, Rebel in a Wheelchair, Choking Beer Barrel - to name a few. If you read the contents-page alone, you see that it's almost as if these headings tell a story of their own.

Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor is a book every college girl ought to read in order to inform themselves about this rapidly expanding and decidedly dangerous business - and their mothers, too.




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Summary: You Won't Be Able to Put This Book Down!
Review: Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor is a personal memoir written by Julia Derek. Her story begins when she moves to Washington DC from Sweden to attend Journalism School. One day, after several fruitless searches for a decent job or way to make enough money to stay in the USA (which she had fallen in love with), she came across an ad that was seeking Egg Donors. The ad requirements fit her nearly perfectly, so she decides to apply, not knowing much about donating eggs.

Although the couple turned her down, Julia was intrigued that there was such an easy way to make money. After a few more tries that ended in disappointment, Julia gave up, and relocated to the Los Angeles area. However, the egg donor idea stayed in the back of her mind, and it wasn't too long before yet another opportunity presented itself. Before Julia knows it, she has signed up, and is accepted by a couple to donate her eggs.

Thus begins her foray into egg donation. Julia's first egg donation was so successful that her services as a donor quickly became in high demand. Julia moved into her own place and made what she thought was a good friend in Rosa, her representative at the donation agency she is signed up with. There were some pretty uncomfortable side effects and downsides to the procedures, such as having to give oneself an injection of hormones, having to undergo various doctor appointments, and having to suffer side effects of taking so many hormones. However, Julia took them in stride, and things went really well for her. She began making more egg donations, and more money for each one.

However, slowly but surely, Julia's world began crumbling. After a particularly awful reaction to birth control pills, a failed egg donation, and her growing depression, Julia starts realizing things aren't quite what they seem and that Rosa may not be friend she claims. After her 11th donation, Julie is so depressed that she is nearly ready to commit suicide. What will become of her? Will she be scarred for life? Read Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor and find out!

Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor was a very intriguing and easy to read novel. I enjoyed it immensely and was unable to put it down. The plot moves along quickly, and Julia does a good job of drawing the reader into her life. The book reads just like chick lit story with a first-person narrative, but has the bonus of being based on truth. I definitely recommend Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor to all women, especially one who is considering donating her own eggs. Julia does a good job of covering all of the possible side effects and ins and outs of the process.

The only downside to the book was the ending. The way the author ended it made me wonder if she'd really learned her lesson!! Other than that however, this is a gem of a novel.


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Summary: Loved It. A Must Read!!
Review: Confessions offers a not-so-subtle and at times hilarious look into the life a career egg-donor. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for advice on egg-doning (Julia Derek will tell how not to do it) or just looking for a good laugh.
The best novel I've read in a long time.

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Summary: Insight into the egg donor business
Review: Having known two women who have gone through the egg donor procedure graphically outlined in Julia Derek's Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor, this book really resonated with me. Previously all I had heard about egg donation was the positive aspects. As someone who had only been familiar with this procedure in the abstract, the book really brought to light how serious this medical procedure is.

Julia, the plucky heroine, brings candor and humor to this true life story. I especially admire her confidence mixed with self-deprecating humor. She is a strong yet vulnerable character that will draw you in. If you like David Sedaris's sardonic tone, you'll appreciate this book's approach to the heavy subject.
I would recommend this book highly.

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Summary: review
Review: Hmmm... Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor was definitely an original book. I really liked it even though it isn't normally the type of book that I would read. Have to admit that I was sure this would be one of those whiney stories where the protagonist would complain endlessly about how she had been victimized. But she didn't at all, just kind of told her story. You could tell that she didn't view herself as a victim at all. I picked it up mostly because my a close friend has struggled with infertility for years and I figured this could be interesting for her to read. Then I begun reading it myself and found that it was very compelling! Kudos to the author for not playing the blame game!!!
 


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Summary: Serial Egg Donor-My Thoughts
Review: I agree with the previous reviewer that this book was a must-read. It was easy to read and the writing style never bored me. I'm surprised I haven't heard more about this book. Why hasn't it been featured on Oprah or one of those women's talkshows? Maybe it's a little too edgy for those shows. I suppose some women would view the protagonist Julia as too tough. I loved her! She was so funny and honest and had so many layers to her...unlike most "cookie-cutter" female protagonists in today's women's lit. Judging from the subject matter this book could easily have become one of those sappy, poor-me stories but it didn't. Even though Julia was a victim she didn't view herself like one, which was very refreshing. She doesn't go on and on about stuff either...the pacing of the book is swift and appropriate.

I give this book five stars, because I feel it exposes something that hasn't been brought into the public eye. How can this business just grow in America so fast without being regulated? That's crazy! I'll make sure to tell women to watch out for these egg donor agencies!

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Summary: Up close with an egg donor
Review: I liked this book a lot. It was a quick read disrobing a growing business full of money that is a potential lure for any young woman in need of cash. Derek shows no sentimentality and gains sympathy from the reader by not appearing as a victim or putting blame on anyone. The briskness of the book captures Derek's personality. She manages to be fun and full of irony despite the many difficulties she endures.
Any woman of "child bearing age" should read it - and probably others will find it fascinating and shocking as well. We have all seen the ads - find out what's on the other side of the coin. It will make you think.

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Summary: A must read!
Review: If you are looking for a easy and enjoyable read, buy Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor! Neither sentimental nor apologetic, Julia Derek shares her experience as an egg donor with the reader with a frank voice and sassy style. Using a perfect balance of humor and seriousness she sheds light on this self-regulated industry where the stakes are high for all parties involved. A must read!

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Summary: What All Women Should Know About Being an Egg Donor
Review: Julia Derek, former stand-up comic, writes from the hip (not the ovaries, since she may not have any left!!). "Confessions of a Serial Egg Donor" is read as if the author is speaking directly to you-- clear, direct, informative and entertaining. Years ago I answered an ad about being an egg donor and thank god, I never followed through. When I saw this book, I had to read it! The (unregulated) industry is exposed in "Serial Egg Donor", as is the reality of one woman's take on why she accepted the position (12 times!) and how she needed to stop after her body shut down. Whether you are thinking of donating your eggs or know someone who is, or you feel this industry should be regulated, or you just want to read an exciting expose, you must buy this book!