Quarter 3 Reading
The Memories Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
Biography
This novel takes place in 1964, the year where he delivers his own twins. Dr. David Henry helps his wife, Norah give birth to their twins with the assistance of nurse Caroline Gill. Their first child, Paul was born. Then came the daughter. David realized that she had Down Syndrome and didn't want it to hurt Norah. He told Caroline to bring her to an institution. Later realizing that she couldn't bring her and leave her in an institution, later names Phoebe. She kept her saying that she ran away from Phoebes father because he wanted to institutionalize her. Caroline and Phoebe begin there life together.
Dr. David Henry
Living in poverty when he was younger and watch his sister die slowly because of a heart condition and see his mother in grief. He decided to have a better life and become a doctor. He met his wife, Norah and began a family with her. He delivered his own twins but kept a secret about the other twin saying she has died but actually has Down Syndrome. He receives letters from Caroline and pictures of his daughter. Still keeping it hidden from Norah. Keeping it from her there relationship gets worse and they end up having a divorce. Later when he was thinking of telling her the truth about Phoebe he passes away from a heart attack.
Phoebe
Her biological parents were Norah and David. She also had a twin brother named Paul. Caroline was the nurse that took her into her house and raised her because David wanted her to go to an institution. She never met her dad but later on when Norah found out she was still alive she went to go see her with Paul.
Caroline Gill
Caroline was a nurse with Dr.David Henry. She took in Phoebe and told everyone she was her own daughter. She raised her and sent pictures and letters to David. As did David too along with some money. She started a new life with Phoebe. Al, then entereed her life and proposed to her twice she ended up rejecting both times. As time moves on she ends up marrying him and spending her life with him.
Theme #1
This whole book represents all individual lessons with all characters. In the end after Dr.David Henry has a heart attack and Norah finds out about Phoebe. Hiding this secret that their other child is alive destroyed their relationship, ending it with a divorce and David has held this guilt for most of his life. This shows that you shouldn't hide stuff especially holding the guilt for so long.
Theme #2
When Caroline was given Phoebe to take to an institution, mentally Caroline couldn't do it. She thought it was the wrong thing to do. In the end it ended up being one of the best decisions of her life. Lesson learned is never give up on someone on who they were born as. Try to make a life of what you have. Caroline's life sprouted as soon as she took Phoebe in.
Theme #3
Norah and David never really had a dream relationship you wish to have after you have children. There relationship went downhill because there relationship lived with a lie. If you start to hide things you will start to change. The theme here is basically to not lie to your partner. These bad stuff can happen and you will start to change.