I recently finished reading The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards. I saw the book listed on Oprah’s book club and thought it sounded like a good read so I got it from the online book swap, Swaptree.com.
At first, I had a hard time getting into the book. I found the first couple chapters extremely slow but later realized how important they were as they setup the entire book. After I begrudgingly made it through the first couple of chapters, I began to really enjoy the book.
The book is about a doctor and his wife who is pregnant, unknowingly with twins. During an unexpected snow storm, the doctor has to deliver his own children, one of which has downs syndrome. In order to prevent his wife more pain than necessary, in his opinion, he gives the child with downs syndrome away. This sets off a chain of events that forever chances peoples lives, some good and some bad.
I think the author does a great job describing what emotions and problems the doctor deals with through the years as a consequence of his actions. His pangs of regret, the pressure and expectations he puts on his other child that he kept, how his attitude and feelings toward his wife change.
I did not really care for the ending, even though I guess it was a happy ending. I just felt that it was a little predictable.
I don’t know that I would search out another book from this author, as there are others I enjoy much more, but I won’t pass up reading another one if it becomes available to me to read.
I've heard about this book. It sounds pretty good, but maybe not worth the time it would take to read it, as there are so many other books I want to read!
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a good book, but like you I thought the beginning was a little slow. My mom kept telling me it would pick up. It definitely made you think!
ReplyDeleteYeah, don't bother with the other book she has published. Don't remember the name, it is a collection of short stories. A real snoozer!