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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
This story was interesting due its sensitive subject matter. It definitely is a story that will pull at your heart strings. The execution was not a 100 percent, which is why I did not rate it above a three. What I loved about this story was the setting. It is during the late 1960’s and into the early 1970’s, I enjoyed many of the references to that time period, and often felt myself transported to that time. I also enjoyed the subject of having a child with special needs and how difficult that is, and the learning/growth process that the main character went through as she traveled with her child and etc. What I did not love was the pacing during the middle. It felt as if the characters were just doing and saying the same things over and over again. I kept waiting for some real confrontation between the Ginny and her husband to occur, but unfortunately it came right at the end. Once the main conflict was revealed the story just fell flat. Everything suddenly ended in a nice little bow (which I felt was almost too perfect of an ending). Despite the lull at the middle and end, this was an easy book to read, and I enjoyed the themes it presented overall. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for the honest review.
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was my first book to read of T. Greenwood, Keeping Lucy. I loved it! T. Greenwood takes you back to the 60's and early 70's when institutions were the thing to do with your "unwanted" children. We meet Virginia, or Ginny as she is called for much of the book, and she is pregnant with her second child. Ginny and Ab are living the perfect life with one son and another child on the way. Like many women in this time, Ginny was a stay at home mom and she loved the thought of possibly having a daughter soon. Shortly after her shower, her daughter is born and is quickly taken away. Ginny is sedated without her consent and sleeps through most of her time in the hospital. She only sees her daughter briefly. Ginny is told her daughter will most likely die very soon and that putting her in Willowridge is the best for all. Greenwood shows us what a mothers love can do. We find Ginny taking Lucy two years later from the institution and running with her. This book pulls at your heartstrings and doesn't let go. You will root for Ginny the whole way through. I highly recommend this book! I read this book in two days. Very easy read. Greenwood does jump from past to present time, but the chapters are clearly labeled and I was able to keep up with no problem. Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley
#NetGalley
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style and the story felt a little too "neat" considering everything involved.
This was a really nice read. Solidly written, dealing with some heavy topics, but not overly dramatic. Nothing too special, but just really, really nice.
This was another book that I couldn't put down! The story gripped me from the very beginning and I wanted to know what was going to happen. I didn't realize so much of the story would be Ginny's trip with Lucy, rather than a legal battle, but that's because I went in blind and I loved it. I loved the way the story was written, alternating between when Ginny and Ab first met and started their family to the present.
I also really like how this took place in 1971, which was a different world than the one today. Someone couldn't be tracked by their cell phone in a matter of minutes. Getting in touch with people was much more difficult.
This story was emotional and really got me thinking about what I would do in a number of situations. Obviously we know more about Down Syndrome now than they did then, but it doesn't change how to view the situations that Ginny was in, including her relationship with Ab.
I would recommend this book and I'm adding this author to one of my favorites.
I also really like how this took place in 1971, which was a different world than the one today. Someone couldn't be tracked by their cell phone in a matter of minutes. Getting in touch with people was much more difficult.
This story was emotional and really got me thinking about what I would do in a number of situations. Obviously we know more about Down Syndrome now than they did then, but it doesn't change how to view the situations that Ginny was in, including her relationship with Ab.
I would recommend this book and I'm adding this author to one of my favorites.
It is incredible just how powerful a mother's love can be. This Historical novel sheds light the tragic past of the horrific conditions of state institutions and the treatment of those with Down syndrome. I listened to the audio version of this book and I couldn't stop. I highly recommended this book.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and T. Greenwood. As always, an honest review from me.
Like:
- Another great historical fiction novel by T. Greenwood
- Such a sign of the times
- The police officers and friends that take a risk to help Lucy’s mom do what’s right for her daughter
Love:
- Based on true stories of that time period - love it!
- Her books are always great, very relevant to today even though they take place decades ago
- Make you feel so intensely - feel bad for Lucy and her mother and all the families that had to experience this in real life
- Completely captures my attention and makes me feel immersed in the book
Dislike:
- The horrific ways that children with disabilities were treated in institutions during that time period
Wish that:
- The ending was longer - very abrupt and leaves a lot unfinished
Overall, Keeping Lucy is a heartbreaking, relevant and almost indescribably great book filled with such love from a mother to a child. Another great read by T. Greenwood. She’s quickly becoming one of my must read authors!
Like:
- Another great historical fiction novel by T. Greenwood
- Such a sign of the times
- The police officers and friends that take a risk to help Lucy’s mom do what’s right for her daughter
Love:
- Based on true stories of that time period - love it!
- Her books are always great, very relevant to today even though they take place decades ago
- Make you feel so intensely - feel bad for Lucy and her mother and all the families that had to experience this in real life
- Completely captures my attention and makes me feel immersed in the book
Dislike:
- The horrific ways that children with disabilities were treated in institutions during that time period
Wish that:
- The ending was longer - very abrupt and leaves a lot unfinished
Overall, Keeping Lucy is a heartbreaking, relevant and almost indescribably great book filled with such love from a mother to a child. Another great read by T. Greenwood. She’s quickly becoming one of my must read authors!
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
medium-paced