Book Review - The Memory Keeper's Daughter

I finished reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards today. This book follows the lives of David Henry and his wife Norah beginning on the night that she gives birth in the 60's. There is a snowstorm in Lexington, KY and the only people present at the birth is David, Norah and a nurse named Caroline. After Norah delivers a healthy baby boy, she delivers a baby girl with Down Syndrome and since she is under sedation for the delivery, David decides to send the daughter away with the nurse to an institution to be raised and he tells Norah that the daughter died during the birth. Only Caroline can't leave the baby at the institution and brings her back to Lexington and then decides to take her and move to Pittsburgh. Caroline ends up raising Phoebe and fighting for rights that Phoebe was denied. And life is never quite right for David and Norah and their son.

I had heard that the book was a very moving book and I looked forward to reading it, but I just didn't feel it. I wasn't moved by the sentiments of the main characters and they all seemed pretty flat to me. I never really connected with any of them. Well, maybe Caroline's passion for Phoebe and raising her came through slightly and for part of the book. With the storyline, there was the possibility for a great and moving story, but it fell short. For me, it was just a relief when the book finally ended.

And just by coincidence, the movie was on Lifetime Movie Network tonight and I was able to keep myself from watching it in spite of Dermot Mulroney playing David Henry. I did catch a few snippets of it and it felt as flat as the book.

Oh well... on to the next!