The Memory Keeper's Daughter

By: Kim Edwards

Narrated by: Ilyana Kadushin

Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A number one New York Times best seller by Kim Edwards, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted novel of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love.

Kim Edwards' stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964 in Lexington, Kentucky, 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. Rationalizing it as a need to protect Norah, his wife, he makes a split-second decision that will alter all of their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution and never to reveal the secret. Instead she disappears into another city to raise the child herself. So begins this beautifully told story that unfolds over a quarter of a century - in which these two families, ignorant of each other, are yet bound by the fateful decision made that winter night long ago.

A family drama, The Memory Keeper's Daughter explores every mother's silent fear: What would happen if you lost your child and she grew up without you? It is also an astonishing tale of love and how the mysterious ties that hold a family together help us survive the heartache that occurs when long-buried secrets are finally uncovered.

©2016 Kim Edwards (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"The Memory Keeper’s Daughter unfolds from an absolutely mesmerizing premise, drawing you deeply and irrevocably into the entangled lives of two families and the devastating secret that shapes them both. I loved this riveting story with its intricate characters and beautiful language.” (Sue Monk Kidd)

“In The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, Kim Edwards has created a tale of regret and redemption ... of characters haunted by their past. Crafted with language so lovely you have to reread the passages just to be captivated all over again ... simply a beautiful book.” (Jodi Picoult)

“Edwards is a born novelist.” (Chicago Tribune)

Touching story, though too long and somewhat depressive

Enjoyed the storyline. Detailed enough to create visuals in my head as if I was with them. However at several points in the book, it seems to drag on and could have been several chapters shorter. Especially when the reader begins to understand what will happen in the end. Worth noting it’s mostly a dark story, so understand that going in.

Well written

No denying the author is a talented writer. Her prose formed pictures in my mind. The narration was pretty good, lacking a little as she voiced Paul or his father. The story, however was lengthy and just not that exciting. I prefer more action in my "listens."

Beautifully descriptive

I found the narrator very easy to listen to. The writing was detailed and beautiful. I originally started reading it but lost the book so began listening which I am glad I did. I think it made the story more beautiful. It allowed me to more fully feel the emotion of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Had to keep listening

Great writing, interesting story that keeps you wanting to know how it all turns out. Loved the voice of the narrator.

well written.

This book is extremely well written. The character development is strong. Personally, I just prefer a little more action.

A look into grief

This was a beautiful look into what could be with the imagination every mother who has lost a child has gone through and the patterns of grief that we all to forget to understand and respect the uniqueness of how everyone grieves. It was long.

wonderful

A wonderful, heartfelt story. I enjoyed watching the characters grow as the story twisted and turned

Worth a read

I really enjoyed the story possibly because I am a paraprofessional.
I would, and have recommended it to friends.

depressed but in a good way

the story left me distraught yet hopeful however I tried to experience this rollercoaster over 12 hours so

Exploration of an irrevocable emotional decision

The bittersweet story of "what might have been" is explored by this author. The reader is pulled between being judgmental or sympathetic and is guided into "reality", not as expressed by the author. but observed by the reader. Good read.