The Memory Keeper's Daughter

This book is about family, relationships, choices, secrets and unconditional love. A moving and thought provoking story that touches my heart, and that it will stay in my mind for a long time.

The year is 1964. Dr. David Henry is an orthopedic surgeon and he has a perfect life. He married Norah - a wonderful and beautiful woman, and they are about to start a family soon. They even have the names chosen - Paul should a boy be born and Phoebe should be a girl. On the night when Norah is in labor, a snowstorm hit and David is forced to deliver his own child with only help of his nurse, Caroline Gill. Although he is thrilled to learn they have twins, he isn't prepared to welcome the baby girl who is diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Hoping to spare everyone in the family from the pain, and that this incident reminds him too much of his young sister who died from a heart condition during his childhood, he decides to send her to an institution and so instructs Caroline to have the baby sent to an institution. Caroline went with a heavy heart, but upon reaching the institution, she changes her mind and decides to raise the baby as and on her own from Lexington, Kentucky to Pittsburgh.

When Norah comes around, she asks David about the twins and he lied to her that Phoebe died at birth. Some years pass by, Norah still couldn't accept the loss of their girl while David continues to harbour the guilt. From there, the story quickly unfolds and readers will soon find out how that one decision will leave an impact to both families - David's and Caroline's.

I liked all the characters in this book. Their emotions are strongly felt and I really sympathize with each of them: David for coming up with the decision (no matter what the circumstances is); Norah for coping with her loss; Paul for his dream and yet his dad has other expectations from him, and also not to mention he wonders about his "dead" sister and how life will be like if she is around; Caroline for her dilemma (as in whether to tell or not to tell) and finally Phoebe being the innocent victim amongst all.

All in all, this is a wonderful novel in my humble opinion. I will definitely check out Kim Edwards' books in future.

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