Keeping Lucy

By: T. Greenwood

Narrated by: Therese Plummer

Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

PopSugar's 30 Must-Read Books of 2019

Good Housekeeping's 25 Best New Books for Summer 2019

Better Homes & Gardens 13 New Books We Can't Wait to Read This Summer

The heartbreaking and uplifting story, inspired by true events, of how far one mother must go to protect her daughter.

Dover, Massachusetts, 1969. Ginny Richardson's heart was torn open when her baby girl, Lucy, born with Down syndrome, was taken from her. Under pressure from his powerful family, her husband, Ab, sent Lucy away to Willowridge, a special school for the "feeble-minded". Ab tried to convince Ginny it was for the best. That they should grieve for their daughter as though she were dead. That they should try to move on.

But two years later, when Ginny's best friend, Marsha, shows her a series of articles exposing Willowridge as a hell-on-earth - its squalid hallways filled with neglected children - she knows she can't leave her daughter there. With Ginny's six-year-old son in tow, Ginny and Marsha drive to the school to see Lucy for themselves. What they find sets their course on a heart-racing journey across state lines - turning Ginny into a fugitive.

For the first time, Ginny must test her own strength and face the world head-on as she fights Ab and his domineering father for the right to keep Lucy. Racing from Massachusetts to the beaches of Atlantic City, through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to a roadside mermaid show in Florida, Keeping Lucy is a searing portrait of just how far a mother’s love can take her.

Based on incredible true events, Keeping Lucy is the searing, heartfelt, and breathtaking story of just how far a mother’s love can take her.

©2019 T. Greenwood (P)2019 Macmillan Audio

I had my heart tugged in all directions

"Keeping Lucy" is a beautifully narrated story that tugs at your heartstrings from the very beginning. I found myself experiencing various emotions throughout the story - sadness, anger, heartbreak, and happiness. Both the narrator and the author allowed me to visualize each scene as it unfolded, picturing the horrific conditions that Lucy and the other children had endured at the institute. This was truly an amazing story and I would highly recommend it!

Awwww Precious Lucy.

Keeping Lucy was good from the beginning. Her husband and father in law's name kept me thinking about Abbot and Costello (aging myself - saw the reruns). I love hate Abbott because he really needed to pick a side. The strength of Virginia for long was way beyond amazing. She exudes mommy power. I have a mommy like her and it makes you feel safe and invincible. Another soldier was my girl Marsha talk about 'Ride or Live', she was the fuel to Ginny's 🔥 fire. Then my boy, brother a 4 year old w/o a car in the world, ends giving all his love to his baby sister, whom he has no problem claiming.
I thought it would end differently. I actually liked how it ended, which is rare. It was neat and tied up with loose ends.
I recommend.

Beautiful Story!

This book was recommended to me and I'm so glad it was! I didn't want to put it down.

The writing was beautiful and the narration was wonderful.


I loved it from beginning to end.

Good stories, bad accents

The story was intriguing- I personally wanted a little more focus on Lucy herself - but as someone from MA, the narration was difficult. There were too many people with Boston accents who wouldn’t have one in real life. If you aren’t from MA, you probably won’t have this problem at all. If you are from MA, maybe pick up the book instead of listening.

Loved This

A mothers love and the real life circumstances women used to face. All without feeling too feminist/girl power heavy.

Heart Warming

This book took me for a ride on the emotional roller coaster. I was so upset and then happy and then frustrated and so on.

Very good book to listen.

Incredible story of a Mothers love for her children.

Well written and fascinating, gut wrenching true story of a Mothers determination to get the baby she gave birth to and was put in a mental institution against her will. A web of lies unfold and the Mother gains strength through pure determination to raise her own child.

Exceptional!

I don’t write to many reviews but felt this book needs to be acknowledged. This is a must read.

The 1960s and 70s were no joy ride for women

The 1960s and 70s were no joy ride for women, and Tammy Greenwood captures the excruciating conflicts challenging women of the era who were determined to practice their motherhood as compellingly as their agency, while they struggled with the patriarchy—within their families and in their society. Protagonist Ginny Richardson’s story is as compelling as Mira’s in Marlyn French’s THE WOMEN’S ROOM—maybe more so, because KEEPING LUCY will inform today’s young feminists of what is at risk.

absolutely amazing

I loved this book the story is heartbreakingly sad and beautiful. wonderfully written and read!!!!!