The Memory Keeper's Daughter
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the memory keeper's daughter by kim edwards
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Savanah wrote: "I had a hard time getting into this book because I couldn't believe that someone would give up their child because it wasn't as perfect as his other child.I could only connect to Caroline and the..."
I would be seriously pissed if my husband did that. I mean think about the betrayal... The husband in the book had a sister who died from down syndrome I think it was his sister--but he didn't want his wife to go through that pain. I would rather have known my child for a few bad years even though their child was fine- then have given birth and had that hole the rest of my life. She did not get to see her baby before "burial" that would eat me alive, it is no wonder she acted out the rest of her life the way she did. It was very disappointing that he never got confronted by his wife, that was unfair.
I read the book a year or so ago and having really enjoyed the book, I am very surprised with the neg. comments. Although, I did not necessarily like a lot of the characters, they played their part well in this book.
I am surprised by the negative comments too as I really enjoyed this book, I thought it was really nicely written and had a nice twist to it.
I liked the way it was written and the layers to the characters.what I didn't like was that none of them ever took responsibility for the things they did and how it affected others. The father died before he told his wife what he'd done the nurse didn't care that the baby wasn't hers and never told Nora the wholevtime norashe was mourningthat that her daughter was alive....it just had no closure to me.
Simply one of the saddest books I have ever read!
I was very impressed by this book. I thought the writing was beautiful and the characters were complex and disturbing. However, began her next one and couldn't get past the first few pages.
this was a very slow book.
I liked the book, not a great piece of literature but good. Nora was the way she was because He pulled away from her mentally and physically. He didn't want to risk having a nother child with down syndrome. There is a difference in their relationship after the babies were born. Nora felt it.
I loved this book. It was refreshing and intense. I read it years ago, but for me it was worth reading. Opened my mind to new ideas and pushed the boundaries.
I havent read this book for maybe 2 or 3 years and its one of two books in my collection I have never gone back to re-read (the other is The Slap) I couldnt stand either David or Nora or get involved with their characters, I know I finished it in part thanks to the nurse, oh what was her name, the one who ended up raising the daughter.
I could not put my finger on what wasn't right about the story but think I have figured it out. The story piqued me interest in the beginning. After the funeral the characters just didn't grow and hold my interest.
My aunt gave me this book for Christmas several years ago and I eventually got around to reading it. Both of us, my aunt and I, have been blessed with the opportunity to teach students with Down Syndrome. Each one so different, but one thing they have all had in common is their huge, loving hearts. The idea that a father would send his child away is appauling but the fact that the nurse takes her and raises her as her own was uplifting. I worked with a woman who's son was born with Down Syndrome - at his birth her Doctor told her to institutionalize him. She refused and gave her son all the love and early intervention he could handle. I met him before I worked with her - he is an amazing individual and I am glad to call him a friend. People, regardless of their abilities, are all special. I enjoyed this book because even though the father thought he was doing the best thing - the nurse knew better and was willing to do what was necessary.
I enjoyed this book but I wouldn't say that it was a page-turner. I think the story was definitely something I had not heard of before, so that alone kept me interested. I also found the married couple very similar to lots of married couples I know (once, SO in love and as the years go on, can barely stand to be in each others presence.) I enjoyed it and felt the writing was quite good.
Hannah wrote: "Venessa (PebbleCafe) wrote: "Patti wrote: "I read this many years ago and am still bothered that the father never had to answer to anyone abut the choice that he made. I wanted him to be confronte..."I disagree. The decision David made did destroy his family. Even though Norah did not know of Phoebe, David's actions and personality subtlety changed. It's a lot of work to keep a secret like that in check and whether he knew it or not his actions toward his wife would have changed. I mean he had this dark room that had drawers and cabinets locked, why would he need that if he wasn't hiding something? Over time people can pick up on that and that little change can build up and drive a wedge between people without them even realizing it or being able to put a finger on what specifically happened. You don't think a wife could have felt this difference in her husband - which pushes her into the arms of another man? No, adultery is rarely "ok", but giving away your child and lying to your wife about it for the rest of your life is unacceptable to the highest degree. I also thought it was unfair that he kind of got off scott free...aside from maybe this guilt that he carried for all those years.
Hannah wrote: "Venessa (PebbleCafe) wrote: "Patti wrote: "I read this many years ago and am still bothered that the father never had to answer to anyone abut the choice that he made. I wanted him to be confronte..."I just finished this book and thought it was extremely thought provoking and really interesting. It's literary fiction, meaning the plot is not the primary focus, but rather the character development is.
But Hannah, the fact that he was lying to her for practically their entire marriage does have a huge effect on Norah. The invisible wall between them was real and I think Edwards illustrated it beautifully. Without honesty and openness, there is no marriage. Period.
When I read this book I was fascinated, and wondered if the way our society has changed its' attitudes towards the Mentally Handicapped, would change peoples' perspective on the book. I see that for some people it has. Back when my sister Jane was born (1931) instuitionalizing your child and basically forgetting they were born was the reccomended method for dealing with a tragic situation. My parents chose to keep Janie at home,but they were looked on as being foolish saints/martyrs. They were warned that keeping Janie in the family would ruin the other siblings'lives. And of course "they" were wrong.David's decision, although appalling,was one that would/could have been made during that time, especially when births were heavily medicated events.My father shared his Davids' horror that his progeny might be anything less than perfect. Yeah, it really was like that.Not nice,not right,but like that.And my Mom ,thank God, had the character of the nurse,Caroline, so we all were blessed.
Eward's book was an excellent portrayl of that time.And Savannah,I am glad that the times have changed enough for you to see how appalling these attitudes were. Just know they were.
Masymas wrote: "I am not much of a critic, I tend to like everything, an interesting problem. But I thought the authors whole point was the undercurrent of the secret, and what kept me reading was it's impact on p..."Brilliant response Masymas, I couldn't have said better.
I did enjoy the book wholeheartedly, but found the ending when Norah finally met Pheobe a little sureal! This secret that had been kept so tightly for so many years, just seem to happen, I found that a bit strange! But overall I really enjoyed the story and was amazed how the misjudgment of a second changed 5 peoples live so dramtically!
Mandi wrote: "I am currently reading this book and am having a hard time finishing it. I can't get attached to any of the charecters and the story is really dragging. Is anyone else having this problem or is t..."I was the same. I heard so many people raving about it and one of my closer friends told me how beautifully realistic the characters were, but I couldn't bring my self to care about them at all. I found the whole thing quite shallow and dull.
To be keeply honest with you, I gave up about three qtrs of the way through... but shhh, don't tell anyone...
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I could only connect to Caroline and the only reason I kept reading it was to find out if Phoebe ever met her real family in the end and if she was ever married/happy in her life.