a lotus in tulip field: on adoption from Bangladesh and life the Netherlands

ʻA lotus in a tulip field’ is a heartfelt memoir written bij Rina Duijnker (born 1971), who was adopted from Bangladesh at the age of five. With openness and compassion, she takes readers through her memories of life in Bangladesh and her journey of growing up in the Netherlands as an adoptee. At the core of her story is the complex relationship with her adoptive mother, a dynamic that has shaped much of her life. Rina’s story sheds light on the deep and often painful questions many adoptees deal with: “Who are my real parents?” “Is the information about my past even accurate?” And, above all, the fundamental question: “Who am I?” With a mix of humor and raw emotion, Rina explores these themes, not just for herself, but as a voice for many Bengali adoptees who share similar experiences. Her journey reminds us that the question “Who am I?” isn’t always simple to answer. In fact, her story offers meaningful insights not only for adoptees but for anyone who has ever struggled with identity issues. “This is an important and informative book for all adoptees. It speaks not only about Bangladesh as a country, but more importantly, about the impact of losing one’s biological mother, the difficult process of adjusting to an adoptive family, and the lifelong search for identity. It’s an eye-opening read for adoptive parents and professionals working with adoptive families alike.” Prof. René Hoksbergen (Professor Emeritus of Adoption Studies)