One Sentence Summary:
A family’s life is forever changed when a doctor secretly gives away his daughter with Down syndrome and the impact of this decision on all involved.
Book Genre:
Fiction, Drama.
Main topic of the book:
The consequences of a secret decision and its effects on a family’s relationships, identity, and sense of self.
Key Ideas:
– The power of secrets and how they can shape one’s life
– The complexity of family dynamics and how one decision can have a ripple effect
– The significance of communication and honesty in relationships
– Society’s views and treatment of disabilities during the 1960s
– The impact of past decisions on the present and future
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary:
– Prologue: The prologue introduces us to the main characters and the catalyst for the story – the birth of twins, a son and a daughter, to Dr. David Henry and his wife Norah in the middle of a snowstorm.
– Part One: The first part of the book tells the story of how Dr. Henry, in a split-second decision, gives away his daughter, Phoebe, who has Down syndrome, to his nurse Caroline without telling his wife.
– Part Two: This part of the book follows the lives of both Phoebe, who grows up with Caroline and believes her to be her biological mother, and David and Norah, who raise their son, Paul, never telling him about his sibling.
– Part Three: The final part of the book brings the characters together when Phoebe and Paul’s paths cross, creating a ripple effect that exposes the truth and forces everyone to confront the consequences of David’s decision.
– Epilogue: The epilogue shows the characters in the present and how their paths have diverged due to the events of the past.
Key Takeaways:
– Secrets have power and can significantly affect relationships and shape one’s identity.
– Communication and honesty are crucial in maintaining healthy relationships.
– Unresolved issues from the past can resurface and have lasting effects on the present and future.
Author’s Background and Qualifications:
Kim Edwards is an American author, born in Killeen, Texas, in 1958. She has a Master of Fine Arts in Fiction from the University of Iowa and a PhD in Genetics from the University of Colorado. Edwards has also taught creative writing at a number of universities. ‘The Memory Keeper’s Daughter’ is her first novel and became an international bestseller.
Target Audience:
Fans of drama and family sagas, those interested in the complexities of family dynamics and relationships, and readers who enjoy thought-provoking books that explore fundamental human emotions and experiences.
Publisher and First Publication Date:
‘Kim Edwards: Harper Perennial’ published ‘The Memory Keeper’s Daughter’ in May 2006.