While not without flaws, and often deeply sad, this is a life-affirming story, a reminder of the risks and limits of love.
It's 1964. David Henry, a doctor, is in charge as his wife delivers their first baby, with his office nurse providing the only assistance, due to an unusual Kentucky blizzard. His first-born is a boy, a perfect little boy. Then, shockingly, the blessing doubles: there's another baby, a girl. Before the father can even rejoice, however, he realizes that it isn't a moment of joy, but one of tragedy. The girl has Down's Syndrome. Because it's 1964, it's impossible to have hope for this little girl. Henry believes she's doomed; her future offers nothing but grief. So he does what he sees as the only thing he can, the logical and compassionate thing: he asks the nurse to take the baby away to an institution and he tells his wife that the little girl died.…
Article comments
26 - david
NORAH SUCKS UNFAITHFUL fcuking bitch
27 - Kelsey
The importance of telling this story is unimaginable. It is great to read about people overcoming struggles, realizing their beliefs, and fighting for them. Although I believe this story is on of great importance, I strongly disliked the book. I found that the detail in everything that was said was very unneccessary. I had a very hard time reading it because the plot seemed to stand still. The only part that got my attention at all was when Norah had her affair with Howard in Aruba.
28 - Anshuman Singh, India
The book by Kim Edwards is a emotional roller-coaster. The human nature is well captured. Can one with such a big lie to tell and then having a live child's funeral, live peaceful in the mind? Yes, such incidents, such secrets draw a distance unseen between two souls.
Torn apart lives yet searching for a meaning, one will find that Bree (sister of Norah) was balancing the gloomy lives around. Rosemary was another inspiring character and not to forget the Al guy, who ended up being father to Phoebe. Will you forget the extraordinary gesture of David towards Rosemary after his divorce too? But here the author has an overture. Yet a beautiful relation depicted.
No wonder for Norah to go around having affairs. But, how Paul got raised and how he drew away more from his father was something which could have felt awkward to a reader. Atleast to me.
With the plot and characters i find the book focused, emotionally charged, fairly realistic, genuine effort put in... The end is not hurried, its left in between, Paul having the urge to be with his sister. A lot left unsaid... that is where the emotional cliches are justified to some extent. I will resist from rating the book. I will hold my view neutral to the book. I will not pick and read it again.
Regards
Anshuman
29 - UNKNOWN
really confusing book
30 - jacks back
This book feels so touching, but really, the written quality of it is not good enough to be called "Literature." It does not fall within the ranks of Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte's Wutherig Heights or Crime and Punishment, some of my fave books btw..T andre David wely had some depth of character thought trurs ily charactehe onithought the characters were gonna mope around for the rest of the book, till i found out about Norah havng the ffair. I dont like how she deals with her troubles or why she is so selfish. I think Norah is just one of those people who HAS to keep secrets in order to enjoy life.. I mean she thinks David is all secretive yet has no absis for this. I want Paul to meet his sister so bad!!!