The Memory Keeper's Daughter
by Kim Edwards
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Book Summary Information
Author: Kim EdwardsEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-05-30
ISBN: 0143037145
Number of pages: 432
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Book Reviews of The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Book Review: Pandora's Box
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this early in the summer and while I was impressed with the writing, I didn't care much for the story. I also didn't liek the ending.
On March 7, 1964, one month to the day after the Beatles' arrival in America, Dr. David Henry makes a decision regarding the birth of his twins that have long lasting, far reaching repercussions.
His daughter Phoebe had Down Syndrome, whereas her twin Paul did not. Dr. Henry lied to his wife, telling her Phoebe died at birth. His nurse, Caroline Gill was instructed to leave Phoebe in an institution. Caroline goes as far as the instution itself, but when she sees a nurse cutting an inmate's hair short, telling her [the patient] that it "had to be done," she fled. She decided to raise the girl herself instead of sentencing her to an institution.
The story is told from different perspectives; the most dominant voice is Caroline's. Norah, Dr. Henry's wife pines for her daughter, but one cannot help but wonder why she does not question her husband or insist on visiting the grave. The "loss" of this daughter negatively impacts on the Henrys' marriage; Paul, also suffers from the fallout of the deteriorating union.
I found the doctor's long term deception and Caroline raising the girl rather implausible. Although Caroline's assignment and her agreement to act in collusion with Dr. Henry are misguided at best, she does have Phoebe's interest at heart. A friendly trucker she meets in a parking lot has a significant part in their lives as does the 1964 Ford Fairlane she drove to transport the child.
Although parts of the story bothered me, it is a story that will resound in my memory. That is the litmus test of good writing and good story telling. It was a very riveting tale that covers several decades; it opens one month to the day after the Beatles' meteoric arrival in the U.S. and closes in the early 21st century.
I was never able to like David Henry and his wife seemed a sad, pale ghost of a character. While one can cognitively understand why David made the decision to oust Phoebe from their family, it is impossible to support or condone it. David in turn creates a Pandora's Box of sorts, again with Caroline's help of pictures of Phoebe that will, in time rock their world. This is an author to watch out for - she is going places.
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