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The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005

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Book Brief

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Kim Edwards

The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2005
Book Details
Pages

401

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Lexington, Kentucky • 1960s

Theme
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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Super Short Summary

The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards, published in 2005, tells the story of David and Norah, whose lives are forever altered when David secretly sends their newborn daughter Phoebe, born with Down's Syndrome, to be raised by his medical assistant, Caroline, while telling Norah that Phoebe died at birth. This secret deeply affects their marriage and family dynamics over the following decades as David's silence creates a barrier between him and his family. The book contains themes of grief, loss, and familial separation.

Melancholic

Mysterious

Bittersweet

Emotional

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.0

610,531 ratings

61%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Kim Edwards' The Memory Keeper's Daughter captures readers with its poignant narrative and deep exploration of family secrets and emotional impacts. The novel's compelling writing and intricate character development are widely praised, though some critiques highlight occasional melodrama and uneven pacing. Overall, it’s a moving and thought-provoking read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Memory Keeper's Daughter?

Readers who appreciate emotionally rich narratives and complex family dynamics will enjoy The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. Comparable to Ann Patchett's Bel Canto and Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper, this novel appeals to those who favor poignant stories exploring personal secrets and their lasting impacts.

4.0

610,531 ratings

61%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

12%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

401

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Lexington, Kentucky • 1960s

Theme
Publication Year

2005

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

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