Michelle Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. http://www.memorykeepersdaughter.com/ This is one of those books that I picked up on a whim.. and I'm glad I did. The initial story is handled well, and the events are believeable. These early actions then go on to affect so many people as they go through their lives. The book takes you on the various journey's, as they all intertwine. I enjoyed reading it, and it has stayed with me. There aren't many books I would consider reading again, but this one has just been added to that pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 This is one I'd love to read, once I get through my current stash. It sounds very moving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiotrot Posted July 21, 2007 Share Posted July 21, 2007 Reading this book at them moment and really enjoying it - will post my finaly opinion once I have read the last 100 pages but at them moment it comes highly recommended from me. Kx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicx27 Posted July 22, 2007 Share Posted July 22, 2007 I was a bit disappointed by this book really. It was one of those with a really good idea, but a lot of padding round it. I did finish it though (which I wouldn't have done if I wasn't liking it), but it's not a favourite of mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 One my sis is keeping aside for me to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 Is it me, or is the print rather small? I bought a 'normal' copy (so I thought) in Smiths, but I don't know whether I'll read it - it's not that I need large print or anything like that, but when it's in a smaller than normal font I find it difficult to read! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 26, 2007 Share Posted August 26, 2007 The copy I borrowed from a colleague has quite small print and a very flimsy-soft cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spooncat Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Just finished this and did enjoy it - a good story told well although a little over descriptive in places - I was annoyed as the book went on that David didnt reveal the secret ! as it so obviously impacted on the whole family and indeed David's own happiness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted September 19, 2007 Share Posted September 19, 2007 Thought I'd add the link to my review of this book - HERE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
korrie Posted September 28, 2007 Share Posted September 28, 2007 I definitely enjoyed this book! I found myself torn between hating David and feeling bad for him and the awful choices he made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Here is my offering: It should have been an ordinary birth, the start of an ordinary happy family. But the night Dr David Henry delivers his wife's twins is a night that will haunt five lives forever. For though David's son is a healthy boy, his daughter has Downs Syndrome. And, in a shocking act of betrayal whose consequences only time will reveal, he tells his wife their daughter died while secretly entrusting her care to a nurse. As grief quietly tears apart Davd's family, so a little girl must make her own way in the world the best she can. My thoughts: I have had to give this review a lot of thought as this book deserves the very best. This is a very moving story which is I think tragic yet not depressing. Phoebe, the daughter is such a beautiful character who I found inspiring and was written in such a way that the innocence of Downs Syndrome was made very believable in this book. Each of the characters had their own traits both good and bad and you couldn't help but feel sorrow for the unfairness of their lives. I was pulled in from page one and would highly recommend this book and give it a 10/10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted May 22, 2008 Share Posted May 22, 2008 Nice review, Nici. I've had this on my TBR pile for a little while but have been reluctant to read it. Not sure why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 It ahdn't really grabbed my attention either before I finally picked it up. It's definitely well worth it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted May 23, 2008 Author Share Posted May 23, 2008 As I've said to Nici, for anyone who enjoyed this one, I would suggest Patrick Gale's Notes From An Exhibition, and Linda Gillard's books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weave Posted May 23, 2008 Share Posted May 23, 2008 I enjoyed 'The Memory's Keeper Daughter', it was so sad but there was positives there too which was nice to read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Oh my, I feel so bad now. I just can't go on with this book any more. I'm bored. Initially, I was intrigued by the story and was pulled in by lovely reviews from people here and in the literary world but I just can't carry on. It's very rare that I don't finish a book, most of the time I can push myself on to the end but I've read about 150 pages and that's it. I feel I have to apologise, but I'm not sure why Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Posted September 24, 2008 Share Posted September 24, 2008 Oh my, I feel so bad now. I just can't go on with this book any more. I'm bored. Initially, I was intrigued by the story and was pulled in by lovely reviews from people here and in the literary world but I just can't carry on. It's very rare that I don't finish a book, most of the time I can push myself on to the end but I've read about 150 pages and that's it. I feel I have to apologise, but I'm not sure why What was it that has made you decide to stop reading the book? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LG1976 Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 Oh my, I feel so bad now. I just can't go on with this book any more. I'm bored. Initially, I was intrigued by the story and was pulled in by lovely reviews from people here and in the literary world but I just can't carry on. It's very rare that I don't finish a book, most of the time I can push myself on to the end but I've read about 150 pages and that's it. I feel I have to apologise, but I'm not sure why I too struggled with this book. I did finish it in the end but I guess i didn't really get into any of the characters. I think it got better in the second half but at the end i still found it disappointing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted September 27, 2008 Share Posted September 27, 2008 What was it that has made you decide to stop reading the book? There was nothing specific, I just found that I wasn't interested anymore. It wasn't enjoyable to carry on and I was bored. It's a shame because it's very rare for me to not finish a book. The worst thing is, I feel relieved that I don't have to carry on any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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