The Memory Keeper's Daughter: A Novel by Kim Edwards
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Book Reviews of The Memory Keeper's Daughter: A Novel
Book Review: A real page turner
Summary: 5 Stars
I am so stunned by all of the negative reviews on this book! I think I tend to be very critical of books, and have a very short list of favorites. I absolutely loved this book. I thought the characters were very well-developed, and the author's writing positively flowed. The relationships portrayed were so realistic and believable that I was not surprised to read the interview with the author at the end of the book that said it was based on a true story. I usually dislike books that jump from year to year, as I feel some of the story can be missed and unanswered questions will remain. Although this was true in some cases, Edwards did a nice job of providing a synopsis of what happened with the characters during the years the readers weren't "with" them. I will say that I enjoyed the beginning and middle of the book more so than the end, which I felt was maybe a tad neatly tied up. However, I would strongly recommend this book to anyone.Book Review: Lovely, moving story
Summary: 5 Stars
Most of the reviewers below have described, ad nauseum, the plot points of the story and the strength of the author's writing, so I will leave that out of my review. Instead, I will just describe my personal response to this beautiful story, which explores the lingering consequences of one crucial decision made and the lifelong effects of loss and mourning.
This is one of the few books that has ever moved me to tears, both those on a sorrowful and a hopeful level. Some of the criticism of this book is that it runs a little too schmaltzy and, while I admit that may be a fair criticism, this tendency does not rob the book of its authenticity or its emotional power. The novel is just an engaging, painful and at times uplifting look at life and will remind every reader of the bittersweet ups and downs of their lives. Only with a clear focus on the optimism that must exist to carry us all through.
A beautiful book.
Book Review: Read it in a matter of 5 Stars
Many people are good humans that make bad choices. Making the decision is the easy part - living with your decision is hard. And that's what we watch David do all through MEMORY KEEPERS DAUGHTER.I read this book in less than a week. I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. It was like a big satisfying dark chocolate truffle or a wad of warm brie on a baguette (choose your vice). I wanted to devour this book. It was thrilling to see how the family's world becamed shaped by a single important decision.
Edwards is what I call a "BEST FRIEND WRITER". It's like she's sitting right next to you telling you the whole story. But she's telling it to you the way you like it told. She's getting to the point. It flows well and whomever edited it (IF they needed to edit much, I have no idea) did a terrific job. Not one word is wasted.
Perfect Winter read - important sections occur in the snow!
Book Review: It is a MUST READ
Summary: 5 Stars
I picked up this book while waiting for a prescription at Target. I began reading it when I got home, and I could not put it down. It is an amazing, touching story of two parrallel lives that have nothing and everything to do with each other. The main character, Dr. David Henry, makes a split second decision one night-his wife unexpectedly delivers twins, one healthy, one with Downs Syndrome. While his wife is still sedated, and unaware that she has delivered twins (this takes place in the early 1960's, when women were still sedated/"knocked out" to give birth), he gives the little girl with Downs to his nurse, Caroline, and tells her to take the baby to an institution. Instead, Caroline takes the baby and dissapears to another city. This books follows Dr. Henry and Caroline over the next 20-25 years. This book was an amazing read, and if I didn't have a stack of books to read, I would most certainly read again!Book Review: The Secrets of a family
Summary: 5 Stars
During a blizzard in 1964 David Henry's wife Nora goes into labor. Because of this David and his nurce deliver what was thought to be one baby-only that is not the case. The first baby (a boy) is born perfect, but the second (a girl) is born with signs of down syndrom.
David then tells his nurse Caroline to take the girl to a instatution that others with downs were in and then tells his wife that they had twins, but that the girl died at birth.
Caroline however can not leave the baby at the instatution and decides to raise the baby as her own. On her first night she meets a truck driver and they have an instant connection.
Over the next 20 years the reader gets to see the twins Paul and Phoebe grow and also see how David and Caroline's decisions on those fatefull days in 1964 changed several lives and the effects that the secrets caused to everybody.