You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good book! Wish it was twice as long.
I need to sign up for the IVS (international voluntary services) if it still exists.
Payton had a teddy bear named, Brownie, like I did.
That's neat how Ginny started producing milk again when she got near Lucy, even after two years of it drying up. Does that happen IRL?
I need to sign up for the IVS (international voluntary services) if it still exists.
Payton had a teddy bear named, Brownie, like I did.
That's neat how Ginny started producing milk again when she got near Lucy, even after two years of it drying up. Does that happen IRL?
Such a great book full of strength and a mother's love! It was heartbreaking to think of how people with disabilities were treated back then! I loved the characters and the author kept me interested from start to finish!
This is the first book I have read by this author. You can bet that it won't be the last one. I could not stop reading this book. In fact, I started and finished it in one afternoon.
Ginny and Marsha were like the original Thelma and Louise. I loved these two women. Marsha was the strong, solid shoulder that Ginny needed. If not for her, Ginny would have lost her battle against her husband and his family and maybe never seen Lucy again. Speaking of Lucy, she really blossomed into a beautiful butterfly by the end of the story. Yes, sweet Lucy the moon is yours.
I did not know this book was based around true events. It makes this story that more intriguing and sad at the same time. Even today, people judge others with a disability. I have a friend that has CP and you would never know that it affects her. She could still play when we were younger and now she is married. Keeping Lucy will tug at your heart strings and maybe having you shed a few tears of happiness in the process.
Ginny and Marsha were like the original Thelma and Louise. I loved these two women. Marsha was the strong, solid shoulder that Ginny needed. If not for her, Ginny would have lost her battle against her husband and his family and maybe never seen Lucy again. Speaking of Lucy, she really blossomed into a beautiful butterfly by the end of the story. Yes, sweet Lucy the moon is yours.
I did not know this book was based around true events. It makes this story that more intriguing and sad at the same time. Even today, people judge others with a disability. I have a friend that has CP and you would never know that it affects her. She could still play when we were younger and now she is married. Keeping Lucy will tug at your heart strings and maybe having you shed a few tears of happiness in the process.
Check out my special Q&A Elevator Interview with T. Greenwood! Meet the master storyteller, learn more about the inspiration behind this extraordinary novel, KEEPING LUCY, down syndrome, plus fun facts about the author and more!
Sparked by the horrific conditions at Belchertown State School for the Feebleminded, a state-run institution in Belchertown, Massachusetts. A perfect blending of fact and fiction.
I loved KEEPING LUCY!
Many of you have read (2018) T. Greenwood's award-winning, Rust & Stardust, a fictional retelling of the kidnapping said to have inspired Nabokov's classic Lolita. My Top Books of 2018.
T. Greenwood returns with KEEPING LUCY, a story once again inspired by true devastating events.
"The Moon for all her light and grace
Has never learned to know her place."
—Robert Frost
In 1969, A mother heartbroken when Lucy, born with Down Syndrome is snatched from her and institutionalized. Two years later, she discovers the school, Willowridge has neglected the children and her worst nightmares become a reality.
With her six-year-old son Peyton in tow, Ginny and her best friend, Marsha takes Lucy. Racing from their home in Massachusetts, they travel through the beaches of Atlantic City, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, to a roadside mermaid show in Florida.
From social injustice to overcoming insurmountable obstacles, including her husband, legalities, authorities, and her high powered father-in-law attorney representing the school. In KEEPING LUCY, Greenwood presents a searing portrait of how far a mother's love can take her.
You are going to fall in love with little Lucy and admire the courage of Ginny and Marsha while following this entertaining and suspenseful road trip.
Based on actual events from a tragic time in history, a remarkable reimagining, and blending of fact and fiction. Told with compassion, lyrical prose, pitch-perfect pace, and memorable characters —only T. Greenwood can master.
These characters linger long after the book ends. I particularly loved Ginny's friend, Marsha. She and Ginny are opposites; however, they balanced one another. What a great friend to have especially when Ginny did not drive. They risked it all. And the memorable road trip and all the people (strong women) they met along the way. Reminds me of Catherine Ryan Hyde's [b:Take Me with You|19355355|Take Me with You|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395611800l/19355355._SX50_.jpg|27416593] and Sonja Yoerg's [b:True Places|39904267|True Places|Sonja Yoerg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532295349l/39904267._SY75_.jpg|61749932].
KEEPING LUCY brilliantly showcases a woman who courageously stood up to fight for her rights and her daughter against all odds, in a time when their voices were seldom heard. T. Greenwood once again is at the top of her game! Highly Recommend! Top Books of 2019
An avid fan, having the pleasure of reading all her books—each year she continues to be on my Top Authors and Books of the Year. I hope you enjoy KEEPING LUCY as much as I did.
JDCMustReadBooks
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early reading copy.
Down Syndrome:
In the US, until the 1980s and in some cases as late as the 1990s, the way in which people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities were treated represents a shameful chapter of inhumanity and discrimination in our country. They were kept in inhumane institutions often as infants or young children where they were deprived of education, healthcare, and even plumbing. They suffered cruel and unusual punishment for innocents whose only crime is to have been born differently.
But society began to shift during the 1970s and 1980s – people with Down syndrome and other differently-abled populations were deemed “human” and institutions inhumane. The institutions were closed down, and it was now expected that people with Down syndrome would live at home, go to school and have fundamental human and civil rights. Today, the average lifespan of someone with Down syndrome is 60 years old.
These gains have been made because of the human and civil rights movement for the differently-abled that various individuals and organizations fearlessly led in the 1970s and the 1980s.
I was married and had my children during the 1970s and recall these events. During this time period when we built our first house, banks and mortgage companies did not accept a woman's salary during childbearing years. I cannot even imagine having your child ripped from you at birth.
For further reading: Down Syndrome Human and Civil Rights Timeline
Sparked by the horrific conditions at Belchertown State School for the Feebleminded, a state-run institution in Belchertown, Massachusetts. A perfect blending of fact and fiction.
I loved KEEPING LUCY!
Many of you have read (2018) T. Greenwood's award-winning, Rust & Stardust, a fictional retelling of the kidnapping said to have inspired Nabokov's classic Lolita. My Top Books of 2018.
T. Greenwood returns with KEEPING LUCY, a story once again inspired by true devastating events.
"The Moon for all her light and grace
Has never learned to know her place."
—Robert Frost
In 1969, A mother heartbroken when Lucy, born with Down Syndrome is snatched from her and institutionalized. Two years later, she discovers the school, Willowridge has neglected the children and her worst nightmares become a reality.
With her six-year-old son Peyton in tow, Ginny and her best friend, Marsha takes Lucy. Racing from their home in Massachusetts, they travel through the beaches of Atlantic City, the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, to a roadside mermaid show in Florida.
From social injustice to overcoming insurmountable obstacles, including her husband, legalities, authorities, and her high powered father-in-law attorney representing the school. In KEEPING LUCY, Greenwood presents a searing portrait of how far a mother's love can take her.
You are going to fall in love with little Lucy and admire the courage of Ginny and Marsha while following this entertaining and suspenseful road trip.
Based on actual events from a tragic time in history, a remarkable reimagining, and blending of fact and fiction. Told with compassion, lyrical prose, pitch-perfect pace, and memorable characters —only T. Greenwood can master.
These characters linger long after the book ends. I particularly loved Ginny's friend, Marsha. She and Ginny are opposites; however, they balanced one another. What a great friend to have especially when Ginny did not drive. They risked it all. And the memorable road trip and all the people (strong women) they met along the way. Reminds me of Catherine Ryan Hyde's [b:Take Me with You|19355355|Take Me with You|Catherine Ryan Hyde|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1395611800l/19355355._SX50_.jpg|27416593] and Sonja Yoerg's [b:True Places|39904267|True Places|Sonja Yoerg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532295349l/39904267._SY75_.jpg|61749932].
KEEPING LUCY brilliantly showcases a woman who courageously stood up to fight for her rights and her daughter against all odds, in a time when their voices were seldom heard. T. Greenwood once again is at the top of her game! Highly Recommend! Top Books of 2019
An avid fan, having the pleasure of reading all her books—each year she continues to be on my Top Authors and Books of the Year. I hope you enjoy KEEPING LUCY as much as I did.
JDCMustReadBooks
A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an early reading copy.
Down Syndrome:
In the US, until the 1980s and in some cases as late as the 1990s, the way in which people with Down syndrome and other intellectual disabilities were treated represents a shameful chapter of inhumanity and discrimination in our country. They were kept in inhumane institutions often as infants or young children where they were deprived of education, healthcare, and even plumbing. They suffered cruel and unusual punishment for innocents whose only crime is to have been born differently.
But society began to shift during the 1970s and 1980s – people with Down syndrome and other differently-abled populations were deemed “human” and institutions inhumane. The institutions were closed down, and it was now expected that people with Down syndrome would live at home, go to school and have fundamental human and civil rights. Today, the average lifespan of someone with Down syndrome is 60 years old.
These gains have been made because of the human and civil rights movement for the differently-abled that various individuals and organizations fearlessly led in the 1970s and the 1980s.
I was married and had my children during the 1970s and recall these events. During this time period when we built our first house, banks and mortgage companies did not accept a woman's salary during childbearing years. I cannot even imagine having your child ripped from you at birth.
For further reading: Down Syndrome Human and Civil Rights Timeline
First off, I want to say the writing is good and I enjoyed the references to local authors. I needed more character development and to make better sense on why certain things happened so easily in the story besides friendship and money.
I wanted so much more from this book. I needed more about sweet Lucy and more about Willowridge School. It seemed like most of the story focused on a "getaway" rather than the heart of what could have made a phenomenal retelling.
I wanted so much more from this book. I needed more about sweet Lucy and more about Willowridge School. It seemed like most of the story focused on a "getaway" rather than the heart of what could have made a phenomenal retelling.
A beautiful but sad account that takes place in the late 60’s.
Ginny Richardson has just delivered a baby girl who is quickly taken from her. She is told her daughter is retarded, has heart failure and can never live a normal life. Her daughter who she names Lucy was born with Downs Syndrome. The choice to raise Lucy is taken out of her hands when she is placed in a sanitarium by Ginny’s husband and father in law a well known senator telling her this is best for the child. Three years later an expose on Willowridge, where Lucy is placed, comes out. The reporter tells of horrible living conditions within the sanitarium along with abuse of patients. Against her husband’s wishes Ginny along with her son and her best friend decides to finally go see Lucy and see her living conditions in person. Everything the reporter spoke of was true and even worse than she could of imagined. The minute she lays eyes on Lucy she knows how wrong she’s been and how mislead she was. Lucy is a beautiful little girl with a smile that melts your heart. She is also filthy, unhealthy from lack of care and non vocal. Determined to bring her home where she belongs, Ginny soon discovers obstacles that may land her in jail.
A heart rending read about a mother’s love and the length she’ll go to save her child from injustice and the ignorance that once was believed about these beautiful sweet children.
I’m so glad I read this! Very well written with wonderful feeling and characters!
Ginny Richardson has just delivered a baby girl who is quickly taken from her. She is told her daughter is retarded, has heart failure and can never live a normal life. Her daughter who she names Lucy was born with Downs Syndrome. The choice to raise Lucy is taken out of her hands when she is placed in a sanitarium by Ginny’s husband and father in law a well known senator telling her this is best for the child. Three years later an expose on Willowridge, where Lucy is placed, comes out. The reporter tells of horrible living conditions within the sanitarium along with abuse of patients. Against her husband’s wishes Ginny along with her son and her best friend decides to finally go see Lucy and see her living conditions in person. Everything the reporter spoke of was true and even worse than she could of imagined. The minute she lays eyes on Lucy she knows how wrong she’s been and how mislead she was. Lucy is a beautiful little girl with a smile that melts your heart. She is also filthy, unhealthy from lack of care and non vocal. Determined to bring her home where she belongs, Ginny soon discovers obstacles that may land her in jail.
A heart rending read about a mother’s love and the length she’ll go to save her child from injustice and the ignorance that once was believed about these beautiful sweet children.
I’m so glad I read this! Very well written with wonderful feeling and characters!
This is the second fictionalized story I've read about this horrible "school."
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Historical fiction could possibly be my favorite genre and this book proves my love. To learn about something while being entertained is ideal! In Massachusetts in 1969, Ginny Richardson has married into a wealthy family with expectations for each of the members. When she births a child that is less than perfect, she is taken away and Ginny starts living a new normal. It is brought to her attention two years later that the place that she thought was raising her daughter right is a hell hole and she sets off on an adventure that she didn't think she could even do.
Historical fiction could possibly be my favorite genre and this book proves my love. To learn about something while being entertained is ideal! In Massachusetts in 1969, Ginny Richardson has married into a wealthy family with expectations for each of the members. When she births a child that is less than perfect, she is taken away and Ginny starts living a new normal. It is brought to her attention two years later that the place that she thought was raising her daughter right is a hell hole and she sets off on an adventure that she didn't think she could even do.