A #1 New York Times bestseller by Kim Edwards, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter is a brilliantly crafted novel of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of loveKim Edwards’s stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964 in Lexington, Kentucky, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately … healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century—in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that winter night long ago.
A family drama, The Memory Keeper’s Daughter explores every mother’s silent fear: What would happen if you lost your child and she grew up without you? It is also an astonishing tale of love and how the mysterious ties that hold a family together help us survive the heartache that occurs when long-buried secrets are finally uncovered.
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Wonderful imagery and heartfelt characters. Makes you reflect on your own life choices and paths.
So many fascinating details and characters make up the fascinating interwoven storylines within this novel that I felt like I was watching members of my own family struggle with tragedy. I began telling my husband about it and he began asking me about it in between times when I waa reading. In the end, I read the book twice, something I am loathed to do because it feels like a waste of precious time, but in this case it felt more like a pleasure. All in all, I can’t recommend this book enough.
It was well written and a page turner but not the most titalating story.
Wonderfully written
A tale that has been told many times.
Couldn’t put it down!
Gripping story of a family’s pain.
This book was ok, I found it kinda sad and depressing. It had it’s good side, but mostly it was taking you from one to another bad situation.
Very well written with interesting characters.
Just really different from anything I’ve ever read. Sometimes a little slow but I enjoyed this book.
I was pulled in from page one. This book was well written and had a good plot. It had a unexpected ending.
A great reminder that life is filled with love and fear is often our greatest barrier to experiencing it.
Great book. I had a Down’s sister born in 1950. Book was right on thinking related to these beautiful children.
Good read, thought provoking.
Truly enjoyable read.
Excellent. I hated to see it end!
Really enjoyed this book, was sorry to see it end. Haunting characters.
A little slow moving but a good story.
To keep a secret or shatter a family. Difficult decision.
This book is so different than any book I’ve ever read. The shock at the beginning of the story carried throughout the book, and each character’s life reflected the effects of the event, even though most weren’t aware of the event. You need to read this book about the far-reaching consequences of one act.