Our May book club selection was THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER, by Kim Edwards. I must say, in all honesty, that it was not one of my favorite books. Several of us in the club thought it was story worth telling but that "too many words made it tedious." Having said that, I'm reminded of the woman (royalty, if memory serves me correctly) who remarked upon hearing Mozart, that there were simply "too many notes." Considering this book has been on the best-sellers' list, and received numerous rave reviews from more authoritative sources than myself, perhaps one should read some of the other reviews (following) and not give too much credence to mine.
“This tragedy of a man who thinks he can control how lives are redirected is as moving as the story of his nurse, who knows that her love can bless a damaged life…Anyone would be struck by the extraordinary power and sympathy of THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER.
—The Washington Post
“A gripping novel, beautifully written. With amazing compassion, Kim Edwards explores the impact of a family secret that challenges the limits of love and redemption.”
—Ursula Hegi
From Australia: “The Memory Keeper's Daughter is profoundly satisfying; a provocative meditation on what it is means to be human and the generational consequences of people's choices...it lingers long in one's mind and spirit.”
—Lily Bragge in The Sunday Age
"This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted story of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love."
One of the things that made the book difficult for me was that the protagonist as well as almost every other character seemed to be so utterly depressed, the result of poor decisions made early in life and perpetuated. I realized in retrospect, however, that had they been aware of the atonement, and put it into use in each of their lives, the outcomes would have been dramatically different. In that regard, the book served as a great reminder to me to be thankful for the atonement and for having been raised in a family where it was taught and practiced. The difference between joy and despair is the difference between light and dark, and we are here to experience JOY!
Despite the book not being one of my favorites, there were good lessons to be learned from it. I summarized the positive points I gleaned and put them on paper "placemats," as follows:
“You can’t stop time. . .You can’t fix the past . . .but while it’s the hardest thing . . . letting go of all that righteous anger,
We have a choice: to be bitter or angry . . .or to try and move on . . . not defending, but forgiving . . . There’s a difference.” Kim Edwards, THE MEMORY KEEPER'S DAUGHTER
Regardless of what book we're discussing, I enjoy listening to the differing viewpoints and seeing what other club members gleaned from the selected reading.
We are blessed to have a lot of space in our home, as well as a dining room table which, with leaves and extra chairs cozied up, will accommodate all club members in one spot; when we began the book club, therefore, I offered to host it here every month IF they wanted me to, or for those who would like to serve as a program hostess and/or menu hostess but who didn't feel she had adequate space in her home to host the meeting. Club members voted unanimously to have it here whenever I'm in town. When I'm gone, as in July, another club member will host it in her home. All club members take turns serving as program hostess and treat hostess. Gail's and Casey's tortilla chips with homemade salsa and guacamole, along with lemon bars and yummy punch were a hit.
Gail's family is leaving us soon and we're going to miss her! We have enjoyed getting to know her and we wish her and her family the very best in their new location.
