Book 28 of 52 -- Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

In an effort to read "different" kinds of books unlike my normal murder mysteries, I picked up The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards.

Kim Edwards has written an exceptional book.

She sweeps the reader into the story immediately as a blizzard rages outside and Norah Henry goes into labor.

Quick Plot Outline -- It is winter in 1964, and Dr. David Henry is forced to deliver his own baby. He could not be more proud to discover he has a healthy baby boy. He was not prepared for what came next: the birth of his daughter, who showed signs of having Downs Syndrome. David makes the momentous decision to turn his daughter over to his nurse, Caroline Gill, instructing her to take the baby to a nearby institution, where he believes she will receive the best care. Caroline follows David’s instructions only to decide at the last minute to keep the baby and raise her on her own. What follows is the story of these two families and how their lives are impacted by that one decision. It is a heart wrenching story, and yet also one of hope.

Each of the characters finds a place in your heart.

Their struggles become your own.

I could see the bad decisions before they were made, felt the disappointment and loss, and shared in the hope or improvement and change: Norah in her grief, Paul in his need for approval, Caroline in her struggle to do what is right, Phoebe for her innocence, and even David, with his guilt and heavy burden of maintaining a secret heavier than he could bear.

To some degree, each character felt disconnected from each other and at times themselves.

As much as I disapproved of David’s decision, Kim Edwards was still able to craft his character in such a way to make him sympathetic.

This novel reminded me of the value of open communication and honesty in a relationship.

Dark secrets drive wedges between people, keeping them a part and slowly eroding the family.

Although the biggest secret came with the birth of Paul and Phoebe, David’s character was always secretive, not wanting to share too much of a past he was ashamed of.

His secrecy created a natural barrier between him and others, making it impossible for anyone to get too close to him.

Secrets abound in this book among the characters, but it should be no secret that this is a book that everyone should read.