Haunting novel filled with so many "what if's". I need to process this a little more before I can write a decent review of it. Ilearned of the book through the Harper Collins "First Look " program, but was not chosen to review it. But, a copy came to me anyway, and I'm very glad it did.

From the Publisher

On a winter night in 1964, Dr. David Henry is forced by a blizzard to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy. Yet when his daughter is born, he sees immediately that she has Down's 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 to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret.

But Caroline, the nurse, cannot leave the infant. 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 long-ago winter night.

A brilliantly crafted, stunning debut, The Memory Keeper's Daughter explores the way life takes unexpected turns, and how the mysterious ties that hold a family together help us survive the heartache that occurs when long-buried secrets burst into the open.

Okay-- I'm ready now. I love first novels of authors, and this is one. Though I cannot imagine how someone could act as David did when his twins were born, I have to accept that he did it out of deep love and wanting to protect Hannah and Paul. Yet that very act shattered the very love he was trying to save. As the author so often says, it built a wall that no one in the Henry family could scale. I feel a little disconcerted about how events with David progressed, a little cheated, though I don't want to say more because of spoilers, etc. David's actions to keep Hanna safe turned her into a very different woman than she might have been...

As for Caroline and Phoebe, I can appreciate what Caroline did, but the whole thing of keeping a baby secret from her mother is not exactly something I can wrap my head around. There is resolution in this book, but still a lot of questions, open ends and a mystery. It only deepens my beliefs that not all secrets meant to protect or help do.

I have a number of friends with children with trisomy 21 (aka Down or Down's syndrome) and see the struggle parents and family go through as the children grow into adulthood. I felt that much of Caroline's thoughts were right on the money.

David's photography was an interesting vehicle to separate him yet keep him an observer of life.

Sending this off to antof9 who expressed an interest in it.

Thank you SO much, Czukie! I keep hearing people talking about this book, and I almost even bought a copy at B&N on Sunday before a flight back home! Good thing I remembered at the last minute that you''d said you''d send me your copy :)

Thanks lots! I think it came while I was on one of my many trips this summer, and not necessarily the most recent one! I''m just now going through the piles of mail. Let''s hope there aren''t bills in this stack too!

I've been reading this book all week, and finally finished it on another trip ... which means I'll be passing it on to one of my favorite people who forgets to "catch" BC books I give her :)

For such a heavy and serious (and somewhat depressing) book, this really is a true page-turner. I honestly didn't want to put it down, and frankly was annoyed with the man on my first flight who wouldn't shut up and let me read! I say "first" flight because I flew through Kansas City to get this book. From there I went to Chicago and then finally landed in NY around midnight. Just long enough to sleep in and have a lunch with some lovely BookCrossers :)

Anyway, I've finally finished this book, and I have to say that one of my biggest concerns as I got closer and closer to the end was that [SPOILER ALERT] Norah (referred to earlier by Czukie as "Hannah") might never know about Phoebe. At some point about 7/8ths of the way in, I thought to myself, "if she doesn't let Norah know about Phoebe, I will never read another of this author's books in my life."

The whole concept of the story is so distasteful, and yet, I know that 1964 was also a very long time ago, and honestly, the fact that a "current" writer would cover this this way is part of what was so interesting. When you think of the time that this book covers, it's totally and completely believable. And yet, none the less heartbreaking.

David's refusal to become part of the family really annoyed me. His reticence, secrets, and distance created so many problems for himself and those around him, and his almost total lack of growth through the vast majority of the book made me want to shake him. It's amazing how great an affect that can have on a family. Of course, his own family was far from the Cleavers, too, which just further illustrates what an impression/impact adults have on the children around them. Perhaps I'm maudlin because I'm spending the weekend with one of my 11 n-people (nieces/nephews), and she's been busy and I've been busy and we've hardly seen each other.

Anyway, one thing I have to record here because it was so odd is that Norah and Paul saw Trace and Doro in Paris. The author describes Doro's white hair and Trace walking with a cane (but doesn't mention their names or anything else), and then Paul makes a disparaging remark about Americans. Then later Caroline gets a postcard saying that Trace twisted his ankle in Paris. Why? I really wanted to know! What was the purpose of this connection that didn't connect? To show how closely our lives are intertwined? It fascinated me, and now I want to write to the author and ask her about it!

Anyway, thanks for sharing this book, Czukie -- I really did enjoy it ... which is something I didn't think I'd say when I was reading it and it seemed so bereft of hope.

Pictured: The Tree at Rockefeller Center, taken December 8, 2007 a lovely BookCrossing lunch and afternoon/evening fun.

Quick entry to note that the person I tried to give this to had already read it (in fact, she thought this was her copy but I assured her it wasn't), so I gave it to another friend to read.

Just got this back in the mail, even though I told my friend to share it with someone else.

Her note to me:

Hi, I tried reading this 3 times -- without any success. I coudn't get past the idea that something dreadful would happen to the baby and didn't want to be blubbering while reading. I'll pass on this one.

B

So now I have another book for my "to be released" pile, although I might check the wish list site first ...

This book is ready for a BookCrossing Gathering downtown.

snagged from Ant. Seems I have been reading a lot about this book, and while I would not have rushed out to find it (so many times the books with all the press are way over-rated) I am happy to have it join my other books on Mt. TBR (one of my goals this year was to read as many books on Mt. TBR that were from other BCers as possible...and instead I seem to be adding. sigh)

I am not sure how I feel about this story. it is well written and I cared for the characters. It brought up some issues I have been feeling; not having a child, deciding not to adopt, what might have been different in my life had my father and my brother not passed...what the decisions I have made in my life have wrought...

Overall a good story that leaves me thinking.

Congratulations!! You have found a rare and unique gift, a travelling book!!


While it is possible I have read and given my thoughts on this book, it is more likely it is a book I found/purchased specifically to send out into the world! In either case, please read what has been said before, where has this book been, who enjoyed it, who didn't -- and perhaps, if you care to, you can add your two cents!


You do not have to join bookcrossing to pick up, enjoy, and journal a book -- however, if you do decide to join us, please consider using me (innae) as your recommending friend, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a personal message (for more info, check out the FAQ).


And again, thank you for saving this book from a life of boredom!

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