The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards, Penguin Books, 2005 Genre: Fiction
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is about a doctor, David Henry, who delivers his wife’s twins during the middle of a blizzard and faces a life changing decision. When the first twin is born, it is a healthy baby boy named Paul. However, when his daughter is born, he discovers that she has Down’s syndrome. Immediately Doctor Henry tells the nurse to take the daughter away and bring her to an institution because babies with Down’s syndrome do not live long and he wants to spare his wife the heartache of loving her then loosing her. However, Caroline Gill, the nurse, decides to raise the baby girl on her own. David Henry’s decision to give his daughter away becomes a “secret” that haunts him and changes his family’s life forever. Throughout the book, David Henry continues to struggle with his decision and whether or not to tell his wife, Norah, the truth. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter takes place in
“In The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, Kim Edwards has created a tale of regret and redemption…of characters haunted by their past. Crafted with language so lovely you have to reread the passages just to be captivated all over again…simply a beautiful book.” – says Jodi Picoult on the book jacket.
Kim Edwards, wrote this book in third person omniscient, which allows you to experience the book as an outsider. However, you know what every character is thinking and feeling, so you are able to read deeper into the story and get to know each character in great detail. As both Phoebe and Paul grow up in different environments and with different parents, you learn how they mature and what they enjoy doing. In addition, you learn and experience each character’s struggles and secrets.
The Memory Keeper’s Daughter was the first book I read by Kim Edwards. However, after reading it, I would love to read some other books by her because I enjoyed her writing style and how she based her plot on real-life struggles. Another book I read with a similar plot was Things Not Seen by For example, in the book Things Not Seen, the main character becomes invisible and has to learn to accept his new life and the daily challenges he endures.
“How he had woken up every morning of his life for eighteen years thinking maybe today, maybe this was the day he would put things right. But Phoebe was gone and couldn’t find her, so how could he possibly tell Norah? The secret had worked its way through their marriage, an insidious vine, twisting; she drank too much and then she began to have affairs, that sleazy realtor at the beach and then others; he’d tried not to notice, to forgive her, for he knew that in some real sense the fault was his. Photo after photo, as if he could stop time or make an image powerful enough to obscure the moment when he turned and handed his daughter to Caroline Gill.” Pg 274.
I really liked this book because it was very detailed and suspenseful. Once the plot began to evolve, I could not put it down. The theme of this book was really an eye opener for me. The Memory Keeper’s Daughter made me think about how later in life I might have to make a decision that could change my life forever. I believe everyone can relate to David Henry and his internal struggle because most people will make a decision they may live to regret. It made me reflect on how he had to deal with his decision every day. His choice also taught me that you should be honest with the people you care about because if you are not, then it can ruin your relationship. Telling the truth may not always be what others want to hear, but at least they will know you are being honest. Keeping secrets and not being honest with yourself and others, often consumes you with guilt and life-long regrets.
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