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Friday 30 January 2009

Review ~ The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards




Official synopsis:- This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, 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. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted story of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love.

Personal Review:- I love the story line, the whole concept of the consequences of decisions and lies and how it has a "domino" effect. It makes you really think about how a decision that you think is fair and right can change your life forever and not for the better, it makes you think of how precious and sensitive our lives are. The theme of down syndrome is very sad too, it makes you ponder what would you do in such a situation? 

However, despite my love for the story line and it's concept and themes I was quite disappointed with the progress of the novel, I felt it very slow and felt that the ending had really much to be desired. I felt that Edwards didn't tie the loose ends well. For example; the novel was mainly about Dr David Henry's decision, why he made such a choice, what his motives were and how it affected him and in turn affected his entire family in the long run and yet he just dies! After reading the book I was thinking constantly "Why did she end it like that?" "Why did that happen to (character's name)?" Whilst it was a happy enough ending it just wasn't the happy ending that I would have desired, but then each reader have their own theories and thoughts on how one story should begin, progress and end, hence it just didn't appeal to me personally, which doesn't necessarily mean it won't appeal to you. The best way to describe the ending is "rushed" as if she just needed to finish it off due to deadline and hence, wherever the characters were in their lives at that stage got finished off.

Having said that, whilst I won't read it again I'm still pleased to have read it. The concept and themes are wonderful and one of those books that have several "morals" to the story and very thought provoking, I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and just wished that it was implemented better. The actual writing is good, not literary masterpiece but nonetheless its a light read without the need of too much concentration but not too simplified that you loose interest whilst reading.

Monday 26 January 2009

Happy Australia Day!!!



Happy Australia Day Everyone!!!

Today being Australia day I thought that I'd write my list of what I love about Australia. Having lived here since I was 12 and turning 13 the following month of our arrival, hence being here for 13 years I've got to say that despite the fact that I've loved other countries I couldn't imagine choosing to live elsewhere.

What I love about Australia:-
- I love how it's so multi-cultured
- I love how the Universities have HECS which for those that don't live in Oz is a system that allows people to "borrow" in effect a loan from the Government to be able to study the degree of their choice, and it doesn't have to be paid till your making $30,000 per annum
- Medicare system, despite people constantly complaining about it, I've found that the Health Care system in Australia is quite good
- Centrelink system which is good for those unemployed or those unable to work due to children, disabilities etc
- Our Educational system, our Public Schools are quite good and we pretty much don't have to spend money as text books are provided etc.

I think in general Australia is quite a lucky country and I think that we take it for granted at times but I for one am very happy that  I live here.

Wednesday 7 January 2009

Happy New Year!!!

It's been exactly one week till the turn of the year...2009 so I thought it's time to quickly drop by and wish all a Happy New Year and may the upcoming year be filled with lots of love, laughter, joy and happiness.

I also want to apologise for the lack of post since Christmas day. I've been very pre-occupied with many different books and novels, so much so that it has taken over my internet browsing "hobby". It's quite early and I have not slept hence I will save the incoherent posting for now, but stay tuned as I will write reviews and summaries of the novels I've read of late including that of the Twilight series and just recently completed, hence my late or shall I say very early morning retirement, Charlotte Bronte's "Jane Eyre".

Goodnite or shall I say Good morning for now, as you are bound to see my post is starting to become incoherent already and I will be posting soon regarding the books I've read, till then...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

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