The Memory Keeper's DaughterBy Kim Edwards
Plot Synopsis1964. On the night of a blizzard, Nora Henry was going into labor. It was her husband's, Dr. Henry, plan to make it to the hospital, but out of luck, they had to stop at his small clinic. With no other choice, Dr. Henry had to deliver the baby himself. With his nurse Caroline Gill to assist him, the baby was born, a beautiful, perfect boy that they named Paul. Dr. Henry felt a rush of happiness, and gave the boy to the nurse to clean up. Suddenly, when Norah went into labor again, Dr. Henry delivered another baby, this time a girl. At first sight he realized the baby had Down Syndrome. Doing what he thought was the best for everyone, he gave the baby to Caroline to take to an institution. He thought that the institution would take care of the baby better than they could. This one action, based on his secretive past, put forth a course of events that changed all their lives. Caroline, who was secretly in love with the doctor, would do anything for him. But she could not bring herself to leave the baby girl at the institution. Instead, she decided to raise the baby on her own. Caroline named her Phoebe, the name Norah had chosen for a baby girl. Two families were then created, each one searching for a peace of mind. There was Dr. Henry's family, struggling with the loss of their daughter, and Caroline, trying to lead a new life on her own with a baby that is not hers. This book spans 30 years of their lives from the day the twins were born, and uncovers the moments of loss, heartbreak, and love. For An Excerpt, Click Here.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter premiered as a Lifetime movie April 12, 2008 (Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC). (YouTube). About Kim Edwards Kim Edwards was born on May 4, 1958 in Texas, but grew up in Skaneateles, New York. Her writing career began when she attended Colgate University and enrolled in a fiction workshop. In this class, she wrote her first short story which is now known as "The Way It Felt to Be Falling." Edwards graduated from Colgate University and the University of Iowa. Upon graduating, she traveled Asia with her husband, going from Malaysia, to Japan, then Cambodia for five years, teaching. In Asia she wrote many short stories, and won many awards for them. Among the awards are the Nelson Algren Award, National Magazine Award for Excellence in Fiction, Pushcart Prize, and the 1998 Pen/Hemingway Award. She received an MA in Linguistics and an MFA in Fiction, and currently teaches at the University of Kentucky. For more information on Kim Edwards, click here. Literary InformationThe Memory Keeper's Daughter is a fiction, 401 page novel. The genre of The Memory Keeper's Daughter is drama. It is known to "contain sensitive material" (Highland High School). The drama comes from the controversial topics in the book, including: the rights of mentally disabled children, separation, affairs, relationships, and abandoned children. (Hennepin County Library). Kim Edward's style uses figurative language, which creates a dramatic feel in the book. She used similes to support Dr. Henry's decisions. Before he felt Norah's hand, he planned on telling her the truth about their daughter. But once he felt how fragile her hand was, he wanted to protect her, and lied. "[Norah's] fingers were so slight, [Dr. Henry] thought, like the bones of a little bird" (20). Simile was also used to describe Caroline Gill's conflicts. She was driving away from the Down Syndrome institution, and after driving for thirty miles, "...fatigue sluicing through [Caroline's] body like water down a rock" (31). Personification is used for imagery purposes. "...sand slithered out from under [Norah]" (173). "The light glared" (193). "...and the naked branches of the trees turned white" (3). Kim Edward's descriptiveness of the setting enhances the imagery of the story. "...leaves on the trees and lilacs blooming like drifts of foam and fire against the hills" (164). "It drifted through the dull light and settled on the sheets, the speckled gray linoleum" (29). Kim Edward's eloquent descriptions made The Memory Keeper's Daughter gripping and difficult to put down.
One of the main controversial topics in the book is the rights of mentally disabled children. Through the voices of the characters, even flat ones, Kim Edwards shows her determined tone. Her determined tone is mainly shown from pages 161 to 164. During those pages, there is a heated court case on whether the children with Down Syndrome should be admitted into public schools. Caroline and moms who have children with Down Syndrome hired a lawyer to convince the Board of Education of Pittsburgh to allow their children into public schools. "'All children deserve an education' said the laywer" (161). The lawyer spoke with passion, presenting clear and specific evidence of why children with Down Syndrome deserve an education and should be admitted into public schools. "Your passion is admirable, Mr. Stone" (161). The Board of Education were determined to win this case. Their argument was that "these children are mentally retarded; that's the bottom line. Their accomplishments...taken place within a protected environment with a teacher's undivided attention" (162). The lawyer, Mr. Stone then responds, saying that "mentally retarded is a pejorative term" (162) and that the children are not stupid, just delayed. The moms and the lawyer are determined to win the case, and have equity for their children, and rid the predetermined limits of their children. The year is 1970, a time where "professional and public opinion came to favor less segregation of the handicapped" (National Academies Press 78). And so, the moms won the case, and Phoebe, along with the other children, began public school. For more information on Kim Edward's style and writing process, click here. Literary AnalysisThe Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards reveals that dark secrets and lies will poison a relationship. First, Dr. Henry lied to Norah about their baby girl's death because of his haunted childhood memories. His intentions were good, and he was trying to spare Norah grief. It is ironic, because if they had kept Phoebe, they would not go through grief, since Phoebe grew up healthily. He wanted to protect Norah from grief, but he could not. "[Dr. Henry's] sister had been born with a heart defect...she had died when she was twelve years old" (17). That lie had become a secret, one that caused him and his wife to drift apart. "These days [Dr. Henry and Norah] were like two planets in orbit around the same sun, not colliding but not drawing close either" (142). The secret had become a hole in the middle of their family, a hole that expanded everyday, and created distance between Dr. Henry, Norah, and their son Paul. Dr. Henry's internal struggle with the secret of their "stillborn" daughter shattered the happy life he envisioned for his family. "I'll never understand it. But think of how [Dr. Henry's] life must have been, carrying this secret with him all those years" (396). Second, Nora had begun to feel lonely, and started to have affairs. Her first affair significantly impacted Paul. He found out from seeing Norah's clothes on the beach, and his dad was with him. After that moment, Paul had begun to isolate himself, and let his feelings out through music. Paul also took his anger out on Dr. Henry. "You don't have any joy. You just get through the days, no matter what. You don't even give a damn about that Howard guy" (200). Dr. Henry kept silent about Norah's affairs because he believed that his secrets had created hers. Norah and Dr. Henry became distant, and Paul was mad at Norah for having secret affairs, and took his anger out on Dr. Henry. The secrets of Dr. Henry and Norah were like a disease, infecting the roots of the family.
Kim Edwards also uses symbolism in this book. "The Memory Keeper," the camera Norah gave Dr. Henry for their first anniversary, played a major role in the symbolism in the book. As Dr. Henry and Norah started to become distant, he busied himself by taking photos. I think that the photographs in the story are suppose to symbolize secrets, and creating the moments one cannot have. Caroline Gill secretly sent Dr. Henry many photos of Phoebe, the baby girl he gave away. Through these pictures, he was able to feel involved in Phoebe's life. "[Dr. Henry] kept these photos in a locked cabinet, a place Norah would not look" (203). Also, Nora found a box full of photos taken by Dr. Henry, photos of girls, ages ranging from toddler to adult. Dr. Henry took these photos to fill the physical absence of Phoebe. He tried to look for her in every girl, but never found her. "It astonished [Norah] now...how deeply David too, had felt their daughter's absence" (365). "Photography is all about secrets, the secrets we all have and will never tell" (201). Criticism I thought this book was very insightful. It had a lot of meaning in it and virtues. While reading this book, I was trapped in their world, as if I knew the people, and could feel what they felt. I was dazed out when people talked to me the day I really got into the book because I felt very strange, and impacted by the characters' actions. Upon finishing it, I felt that I had been enlightened to ideas that I will benefit from. I learned that telling the truth to loved ones is the best way to go, and that forgiveness is necessary to heal a relationship. I also learned that failing to address what is wrong, usually ends up in a mess. Finally, I learned that it is never too late for love. I liked Kim Edward's descriptions of the characters and the setting. They enhanced the story, and allowed me to imagine what everything looked like. It kept me hooked and captured in their world.
Although there were those positives about the book, parts in the book made me angry too. I would think "Why didn't she just do this?" or "Why did he do that?" but I guess if things would have gone how I thought they should have, there wouldn't have been a story. One thing I did not like about The Memory Keeper's Daughter was how the time in between chapters was about 10 years. Because of that, I felt like I was missing a lot of important events that may have happened, causing the characters to act the way they did. Also, each chapter seemed like a new story, and I had to adjust myself to the changes in the characters, especially the kids.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was similar to other books that I like, in the genre, feel and topics of the story. It is not difficult to comprehend, which is nice for an AP reading book! I give The Memory Keeper's Daughter 9 stars out of 10 ★★★★★★★★★.
If The Memory Keeper's Daughter sounds interesting, check out: *Click on the book*
Plot Synopsis1964. On the night of a blizzard, Nora Henry was going into labor. It was her husband's, Dr. Henry, plan to make it to the hospital, but out of luck, they had to stop at his small clinic. With no other choice, Dr. Henry had to deliver the baby himself. With his nurse Caroline Gill to assist him, the baby was born, a beautiful, perfect boy that they named Paul. Dr. Henry felt a rush of happiness, and gave the boy to the nurse to clean up. Suddenly, when Norah went into labor again, Dr. Henry delivered another baby, this time a girl. At first sight he realized the baby had Down Syndrome. Doing what he thought was the best for everyone, he gave the baby to Caroline to take to an institution. He thought that the institution would take care of the baby better than they could. This one action, based on his secretive past, put forth a course of events that changed all their lives. Caroline, who was secretly in love with the doctor, would do anything for him. But she could not bring herself to leave the baby girl at the institution. Instead, she decided to raise the baby on her own. Caroline named her Phoebe, the name Norah had chosen for a baby girl. Two families were then created, each one searching for a peace of mind. There was Dr. Henry's family, struggling with the loss of their daughter, and Caroline, trying to lead a new life on her own with a baby that is not hers. This book spans 30 years of their lives from the day the twins were born, and uncovers the moments of loss, heartbreak, and love. For An Excerpt, Click Here.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter premiered as a Lifetime movie April 12, 2008 (Lifetime Entertainment Services, LLC). (YouTube).
About Kim Edwards
Literary Information The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a fiction, 401 page novel. The genre of The Memory Keeper's Daughter is drama. It is known to "contain sensitive material" (Highland High School). The drama comes from the controversial topics in the book, including: the rights of mentally disabled children, separation, affairs, relationships, and abandoned children. (Hennepin County Library). Kim
One of the main controversial topics in the book is the rights of mentally disabled children. Through the voices of the characters, even flat ones, Kim Edwards shows her determined tone. Her determined tone is mainly shown from pages 161 to 164. During those pages, there is a heated court case on whether the children with Down Syndrome should be admitted into public schools. Caroline and moms who have children with Down Syndrome hired a lawyer to convince the Board of Education of Pittsburgh to allow their children into public schools. "'All children deserve an education' said the laywer" (161). The lawyer spoke with passion, presenting clear and specific evidence of why children with Down Syndrome deserve an education and should be admitted into public schools. "Your passion is admirable, Mr. Stone" (161). The Board of Education were determined to win this case. Their argument was that "these children are mentally retarded; that's the bottom line. Their accomplishments...taken place within a protected environment with a teacher's undivided attention" (162). The lawyer, Mr. Stone then responds, saying that "mentally retarded is a pejorative term" (162) and that the children are not stupid, just delayed. The moms and the lawyer are determined to win the case, and have equity for their children, and rid the predetermined limits of their children. The year is 1970, a time where "professional and public opinion came to favor less segregation of the handicapped" (National Academies Press 78). And so, the moms won the case, and Phoebe, along with the other children, began public school. For more information on Kim Edward's style and writing process, click here.
Literary Analysis The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards reveals that dark secrets and lies will poison a relationship. First, Dr. Henry lied to Norah about their baby girl's death because of his haunted childhood memories. His intentions were good, and he was trying to spare Norah grief. It is ironic, because if they had kept Phoebe, they would not go through grief, since Phoebe grew up
Kim Edwards also uses symbolism in this book. "The Memory Keeper," the camera Norah gave Dr. Henry for their first anniversary, played a major role in the symbolism in the book. As Dr. Henry and Norah started to become distant, he busied himself by taking photos. I think that the photographs in the story are suppose to symbolize secrets, and creating the moments one cannot have. Caroline Gill secretly sent Dr. Henry many photos of Phoebe, the baby girl he gave away. Through these pictures, he was able to feel involved in Phoebe's life. "[Dr. Henry] kept these photos in a locked cabinet, a place Norah would not look" (203). Also, Nora found a box full of photos taken by Dr. Henry, photos of girls, ages ranging from toddler to adult. Dr. Henry took these photos to fill the physical absence of Phoebe. He tried to look for her in every girl, but never found her. "It astonished [Norah] now...how deeply David too, had felt their daughter's absence" (365). "Photography is all about secrets, the secrets we all have and will never tell" (201).
Criticism I thought this book was very insightful. It had a lot of meaning in it and virtues. While reading this book, I was trapped in their world, as if I knew the people, and could feel what they felt. I was dazed out when people talked to me the day I really got into the book because I felt very strange, and impacted by the characters' actions. Upon finishing it, I felt that I had been enlightened to ideas that I will benefit from. I learned that telling the truth to loved ones is the best way to go, and that forgiveness is necessary to heal a relationship. I also learned that failing to address what is wrong, usually ends up in a mess. Finally, I learned that it is never too late for love. I liked Kim Edward's descriptions of the characters and the setting. They enhanced the story, and allowed me to imagine what everything looked like. It kept me hooked and captured in their world.
Although there were those positives about the book, parts in the book made me angry too. I would think "Why didn't she just do this?" or "Why did he do that?" but I guess if things would have gone how I thought they should have, there wouldn't have been a story. One thing I did not like about The Memory Keeper's Daughter was how the time in between chapters was about 10 years. Because of that, I felt like I was missing a lot of important events that may have happened, causing the characters to act the way they did. Also, each chapter seemed like a new story, and I had to adjust myself to the changes in the characters, especially the kids.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It was similar to other books that I like, in the genre, feel and topics of the story. It is not difficult to comprehend, which is nice for an AP reading book! I give The Memory Keeper's Daughter 9 stars out of 10 ★★★★★★★★★.
If The Memory Keeper's Daughter sounds interesting, check out: *Click on the book*
If you liked this page, check out:
A Farewell to Arms
1984
The Great Gatsby
The Catcher in the Rye
or
Book Index
for links to all the pages of this Wiki!
Also you can:
Buy this book from B&N
Check out this book at your local library