The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards | Teen Ink

The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards

June 11, 2011
By Black_Ink SILVER, Miami, Florida
Black_Ink SILVER, Miami, Florida
5 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau


The novel starts off describing a normal love story: the moment that a man has fallen in love with a woman, and his clumsy way of getting her attention.

In the midst of a blizzard in Kentucky, Norah's water breaks and David has no other choice but to drive her to the nearest clinic to deliver his own baby with the help of Caroline, the nurse. David was thrilled to have a perfectly healthy baby boy. Moments later, though, his wife was having painful contractions again.

When the baby was delivered, he instantly noticed her up-turned eyes and other obvious facial features that made his world stop. Diagnosing her with Down Syndrome, he gave Caroline his baby girl, Phoebe, and ordered Caroline to take her to an institution, to make her disappear from his life to avoid a lifetime of heartache [or so he thought].

When his wife would question him about her second child, David would solemnly reply that she was a stillborn.

This begins the web of lies and secrecy that destroys David's family and becomes the essence of Caroline's new life with Phoebe.

David's lie tears apart his family as he grows more distant with his heavy guilt. Norah is left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart when she has lost not only her baby girl, but her husband as well when he decides that he must record each moment with his new-found interest in photography.

At the same time, Caroline has gone through some sort of epiphany and has realized that maybe, just maybe, Phoebe was what she needed to change her life; to start over, begin anew.

I have never read a novel that has impacted my life as much as this one. Edwards writing technique brings to life these characters as they deal with the repercussions of that fateful night. She divided the story line between time frames that go back and forth between David's life and Norah's life that highlight their struggles with a secret that lasts over a quarter of a century.

This was the type of novel that I never wanted to put down because although I have never been in any sort of situation even remotely similar to the one described by Edwards the themes resounded deep within me. Lies and secrecy will always tear up a person inside until they are only a fragment of who they once were, which is clearly revealed by the way David’s family has crumbled apart.

Of course, the novel also deals with the distress that Caroline had to deal with, trying to raise a baby that is not accepted by society. This juxtaposition that Edwards used to reveal the forever entwined lives of David and Caroline utterly captivates the reader and makes us worry and ache over how their lives have unfolded.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy read, you’ve come to the wrong place. On the other hand, if you want a novel where you can delve into life issues and complications, you better find yourself a copy of “The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” and buckle down for all of the twists and turns.


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This article has 9 comments.


on Jul. 2 2011 at 11:11 am
Hippiealien SILVER, Fair Oaks, California
7 articles 5 photos 43 comments

Favorite Quote:
A Idea and a number 2 pencil can take you anywhere.

It is a great review! :D good job

on Jul. 1 2011 at 11:35 am
Black_Ink SILVER, Miami, Florida
5 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
"I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." - Henry David Thoreau

Oh, I didn't notice that. Thank you!(:

on Jul. 1 2011 at 1:07 am
Writomania PLATINUM, New Delhi, Other
22 articles 0 photos 119 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;What really does not kill you, will only make you stronger&quot;- Kanye West<br /> &quot;If there was no electricity, we would&#039;ve had to watch the television by candle light&quot;- Joe Jonas<br /> Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There&#039;s just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

up till* my bad :)

on Jul. 1 2011 at 1:05 am
Writomania PLATINUM, New Delhi, Other
22 articles 0 photos 119 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;What really does not kill you, will only make you stronger&quot;- Kanye West<br /> &quot;If there was no electricity, we would&#039;ve had to watch the television by candle light&quot;- Joe Jonas<br /> Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes. There&#039;s just too much fraternizing with the enemy. ~Henry Kissinger

I read the book too.. but only managed uptil halfway because the librarian ushered me out for eating chocolate.

Anywho, yes the book was great as far as i could read it.

And you have done a wonderful job in putting down the story and a smart move by not giving away the ending.

The review is pretty great but i'm afraid, there are some places where the tenses need work.

For instance, in the seventh paragraph, the line should start as "At the same time, Caroline GOES through.."

The rest is great. All the best.

 


on Jun. 28 2011 at 3:59 am
IAmWhoIWantToBe PLATINUM, Manila, Other
41 articles 0 photos 650 comments

Favorite Quote:
&lrm;&quot;I&rsquo;m learning how to drown out the constant noise that is such an inseparable part of my life. I don&rsquo;t have to prove anything to anyone. I only have to follow my heart and concentrate on what I want to say to the world: I run my world.&quot; - Beyonc&eacute;

Oh my! It sounds like Nicholas Sparks who is one of my favorite authors. I never heard of Kim Edwards but maybe, if I found this book somewhere in one of the bookstares of our place, I'll check it.


And, oh, the review. Well, it's long but it's definitely good. Or more than good if possible... :)

on Jun. 27 2011 at 8:54 pm
Black_Ink SILVER, Miami, Florida
5 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.&quot; - Henry David Thoreau

Thank you!(:

on Jun. 27 2011 at 8:36 pm
littlelilith SILVER, Dallas, Texas
5 articles 1 photo 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Your perspective may very well be the determining factor in whether you pass the test.&quot;

I would really love to read this novel based on what you said about it. The book review was written very well, and again, it compelled me to want to read this book.

on Jun. 27 2011 at 7:42 pm
Black_Ink SILVER, Miami, Florida
5 articles 0 photos 30 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;I went to the woods because I wanted to live deliberately. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life... to put to rout all that was not life; and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.&quot; - Henry David Thoreau

I made it a point to not give away the ending, which ties together the whole novel. Thank you!(:

on Jun. 27 2011 at 7:31 pm
WritingSpasms, Los Angeles, California
0 articles 0 photos 121 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Devils run when a good man goes to war.&quot;<br /> - River Song from Doctor Who (Ep. A Good Man Goes to War)

This was a wonderfully written book review. It sounds like an interesting read (thank you for not giving away the ending, btw) and it made me want to read the novel. Your summary was excellent, as I could picture the basic plot line in my head. And your commentating on Edwards' use of literary techniques was a nice touch.

Well done! :)