The Memory Keeper's Daughter: A Novel

It was hard to put down and I DID NOT want it to end! I completely recommend this book to anyone that loves a good family saga! Once I started it, I could not put it down! I loved the complexities of the characters and there are so many surprises along the way! Pick up a copy, you won’t be sorry you did!

I had been intending to read this book for such a long time, not having heard anything about it, any reviews or the storyline - and I am glad I finally did! I was first drawn in by the cover (dreadful, I know, as we aren't meant to judge books by those) which is actually quite often what will first attract me to a book if I haven't heard of the author before. The initial basis of this book was so heart-wrenching; being able to see that something tragic and horrible would come of the terrible, but well-meaning decision of David in the beginning. The ending was promising, but with surprises along the way that meant it didn't exactly form the fairy tale ending I was expecting (a good thing - surprises and lack of fairy-tale 'goodness' is what makes a good book!) I felt that I really understood the characters and followed along with their pain, their joy, their secrets and their longings for togetherness which would never really come - but at the same time, I didn't feel so engaged or connected to them that I ever once protested out loud to them (odd sounding perhaps, but the amazing books will always make me whisper "Don't do it!" when I know someone is going to do something incredibly stupid!). I can't quite explain why I wasn't as drawn in as I could have been by these intriguing characters, but the charming writing style may have taken a bit of the emotion out of their experiences. All in all, probably the only thing I would really have wanted was to have more depth on the topic of Down Syndrome. I felt that while Caroline's perspective on trying to raise a child with Down Syndrome was thorough and enlightening, it would have been great to get Phoebe's perspective too. I also felt frequently that the descriptions of Phoebe were trying to paint her as being beautiful despite the Down Syndrome, rather than describing her features as beautiful in themselves. A good book, and I highly recommend it for a light read.

This is one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Lives of families involved are portrayed in very real ways. The impact of challenges is felt strongly by the characters. This story recognizes the tragedies in life and how these are handled by the characters and left me with an appreciation of the choices we make, even when those choices aren’t fully understood.

A pleasant read and an interesting story. However, while I found the story line to be plausible, I found the behavior of the characters less so. The tragically neglected Norah tries to find solace in alcohol and affairs. Yet she just gives up alcohol in a snap. She winds up coping with her empty life by immersing herself in a travel business that becomes a stellar success. It seemed as though she was an alcoholic for a time. She wasn't able to get through the daytime without a drink. She hid her drinking. She had an auto accident due to drinking. She had a definite problem. Yet the reason she turned to alcohol in the first place would not magically disappear when she gave it up. All the components that made up her character, specifically the factors that made her want to abuse alcohol in the first place, would remain and cause problems for her in other areas of her life. Certainly running a travel business would be stressful. One stress (her marital relationship) drives her to drink while another motivates her to become a business maven? I found this hard to accept. Caroline is too much the saint. She takes on a lifelong responsibility that caused birth parents in that era to institutionalize their offspring. Those parents didn't just shuffle off their defective children without batting an eyelash. They believed that an institution could provide the constant and exhausting care to such a child better than they could. Thus, St. Caroline decides to dedicate the rest of her life to David's daughter because she has an unrequited crush on him? And, not only does she take on caring for a child with special needs, she is also required to abandon her career - (she cannot provide documentation or references to potential employers) an occupation that she invested much time and money in pursuing. It is a double whammy. Then, she is relegated to poverty because she cannot work and therefore cannot earn money. She does all this life-changing sacrifice due to an infatuation with a man who has never looked in her direction? Then, to top off her sainthood, with one full-time job taking care of Phoebe with special needs - Caroline adds another full-time job as caregiver to a patient that needs round-the-clock attention. The impossibility of being in two places at once, adequately performing two simultaneous full-time jobs, was not believable. The book does not tell the reader what Phoebe was doing while Caroline was occupied with the patient she was hired to take care of. The only thing the reader knows is that Caroline is really, really, tired. Whew! What supercharged dynamo wouldn't be? Then, in spite of being really poor, she never uses a penny of David's guilt donations? After all, all her resources are going to Phoebe's care. Why wouldn't she use David's financial help? Doesn't Caroline know that if she dies, a guardian would be appointed to Phoebe and that Phoebe, herself, will never have control over that money? It would be the guardian who would have it. Caroline was too much the martyr sacrificed on an altar of unrequited love and operating within the confines of unbelievable circumstances. The insertion of an additional character that David spilled his guts to, was uncharacteristically vulnerable in front of, with whom he had an instant bond, was ridiculous and unnecessary. Why would David suddenly need absolution with a stranger - especially someone so young? Why would he break down to her in particular and why would he think she wouldn't tell his family. Why didn't she tell? He brings her into his life and puts the gravestone on his marriage. She was a mysterious cathartic element that was underdeveloped and inexplicable. His affinity to her, his affection for her child, the trust fund he set up for her was not plausible. After his death, she never reappears. It is not mentioned what became of her. Overall, the book held my interest. The ending was disappointing and it was frustrating thinking that such a huge deception was allowed to continue for a lifetime, impacting everyone it involved.

Absolutely beautiful story, well written. Well developed characters and good research on Down Syndrome. Heartfelt

This is one of the most moving pieces of literature I've ever read. At the outset it paints the characters in vivid blacks and whites, but by the end of the novel all you can see are grey characters. It's a masterpiece. If you think your family or life story is dysfunctional, you're in for a shock.

Having read all the books Kim Edwards has written, I would say that this is far superior to her others. A beautiful story, very well written, very readable. I am actually re-reading it at the moment, four years after having read it the first time, still just as enjoyable. (Not many books can stand that test!!) An unusual story, with a bit of suspense, a few surprises, etc.. Everything a book needs to keep the reader interested. If I had to recommend one book out of all the books I have read in the past few years, it would be this one!!

I am not a reader who give up on a book but I found myself wanting to forget everything about this book after the first few chapters. But then I realise that is only because I was getting sad and wanted to 'protect myself' from the pain of whatever consequences David's action may bring. In the end I could not put the book down until I've finished. A truly sensational book - not only is the story itself unusal and compelling, Edwards has also revealed humanity, love and betrayal that are found in real life through her words, making her characters so real that at times you feel like shouting at them and turn the situation around. A book that would take you on an unforgettable journey, touches your heart and leave a mark there forever.

I loved the story about twins of which one is born with Down syndrome, about their connection. Very touching and might make you mad at the father. When interpreting it, keep in mind the author does not have Down syndrome, so you never know how reliable the narrator is.