The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Every once in a while I stumble across a book that is enjoyable to read, sucks me into the plot, and gives me lots to ponder.  The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards was one such book.  It simply begs to be discussed, so I'm rounding up a few fellow moms around town to read it and discuss it with me later this month, but that's a little off the subject.  (I just had to throw that in for Carrie who has called me out on my tendency to want everyone else to read what I'm reading so I can talk about it with them!)

The general plot of the book revolves around the consequences of Dr. David Henry's decision to secretly dispose of his daughter who was born with Down Sydrome while telling his wife that she had been stillborn but her twin brother was born alive and healthy.  (Don't worry, his nurse takes the little girl and disappears with her to raise her as her own.)  It's quite well-written and the growth and development of the characters makes me feel like I know them--better than they know one another, as a matter of fact.

I'm going to have so much fun discussing this book with my new friends.  I love thinking about the choices we make in our lives, the paths those choices take us on, and how our lives might have been different had we made different choices.  I think the theme of secrets and how they lead to more secrets and walls between loved ones will be interesting to delve into.  I'm sure we'll really dig into the sanctity of life and who decides what makes life worth living as the book not only addresses people with special needs but also perceived hopelessness and flirtation with ending one's own life.  The role our faith plays in our lives, the recognition of shared pain, marriage, redeeming the time, standing up for what we believe in. . .The Memory Keeper's Daughter provides opportunity to discuss all this and more.

I will note that there are some "mature" subjects in this book, but don't stop reading there--they are handled tastefully.  There is mention of extramarital indiscretions, but no details and drug experimentation, but the book exposes the vanity of these actions.  Really, even though the book is not of the "christian genre", it is one of those books that aptly illustrates the emptiness of a life lived without hope.

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this one (I got it at a library book sale for a quarter--insert happy dance).  I may have to read it again before our little group meets to discuss it.