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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I was nervous going into this book because the subject matter is just so heavy. I almost didn’t pick it up because I didn’t want to read something too upsetting. I’m so glad I gave it a try, because these beautiful characters are cemented in my heart, and this story took so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. It’s thrilling, heartbreaking, funny, and filled with hope. I highly recommend.
Keeping Lucy came highly recommended to me by many friends, after such great reviews for T. Greenwood’s previous novel.
I was excited to read this, even though I knew it would be a heartbreaking read. I loved Greenwood’s writing and relatable characters, as well as the strong female friendships that she included.
There were some tough parts though, and I actually had to break this up with a lighter read, but overall really enjoyed this book! I was so heartbroken over the fact that facilities like this really existed, and the children were cast aside with no care for their well being.
*Thank you to the publisher for the this gifted finished copy for review.
I was excited to read this, even though I knew it would be a heartbreaking read. I loved Greenwood’s writing and relatable characters, as well as the strong female friendships that she included.
There were some tough parts though, and I actually had to break this up with a lighter read, but overall really enjoyed this book! I was so heartbroken over the fact that facilities like this really existed, and the children were cast aside with no care for their well being.
*Thank you to the publisher for the this gifted finished copy for review.
I was so excited for this book to come out since I absolutely loved Rust and Stardust! The novel is well-written, beautiful, and heart breaking at multiple points in the story. I cried twice in the last quarter of the book. As someone who has a brother with Down Syndrome, it was horrifying to think how these children were treated back then. Although there is still stigma and misunderstanding these days regarding Down Syndrome, it has changed so much with supportive communities and an effort to help young mothers understand the different needs these children have. And yet I could still relate to some of the situations where strangers first saw Lucy and how they reacted when they realized she had Down Syndrome. “Keeping Lucy” is a book about family, loss, and love that I could not put down. It definitely stole my heart, which is why I would rate it 4.5 stars. Why not 5 stars you ask? I just wanted… more. I wanted to learn more about Willowridge State School (aka Willowbrook State School, a real place!) and the awful conditions that Lucy and the other children were in. Regardless, I would still highly recommend this book for the beautiful story-telling!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the free advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review!
DNP. This book is beautiful but it is heartbreaking and the implications are horrific. IF you are in the right space for it this book is amazing but I can't take the nightmares this book is giving me.
Heartwrenching. Heartwarming.
And yet the pacing is what reduced my overall rating of this book. The first two thirds or so ramp up the tension and the emotional turbulence that Ginny, the protagonist, is going through as she attempts to rescue, and then keep custody of, her daughter. Lucy has Down Syndrome, and was forcibly taken from her when she was born in the early 70s and kept in an institution, later exposed for having horrific conditions.
T Greenwood manages during this first portion of the book to balance the action and the human aspect of the story well, however as the story approaches its climax, it begins to fall slightly flat. The resolution happens far too quickly for me, and everything seems perhaps too perfectly wrapped up by the end.
It's an interesting, and horrific story though - especially as it is inspired by real events.
And yet the pacing is what reduced my overall rating of this book. The first two thirds or so ramp up the tension and the emotional turbulence that Ginny, the protagonist, is going through as she attempts to rescue, and then keep custody of, her daughter. Lucy has Down Syndrome, and was forcibly taken from her when she was born in the early 70s and kept in an institution, later exposed for having horrific conditions.
T Greenwood manages during this first portion of the book to balance the action and the human aspect of the story well, however as the story approaches its climax, it begins to fall slightly flat. The resolution happens far too quickly for me, and everything seems perhaps too perfectly wrapped up by the end.
It's an interesting, and horrific story though - especially as it is inspired by real events.
I liked it. They did some terrible things then.
I liked the redemption of the husband.
I liked the redemption of the husband.
3 1/2 stars. This book really dragged during several parts. I would have liked to read more about their life with Lucy beyond Willowridge, not just the adventure of rescuing her from that horrible institution.
I mostly enjoyed this story, but parts of the plot seemed far fetched (like the heroine jumping into a stick shift car and driving off with barely a lurch - with no driving experience ever). Sometimes the book felt more 1950’s than 1971, especially in regards to women’s issues and roles. Hmmm, I am sitting here thinking about what I can write about this book that will help you decide if you should read it. I’m not coming up with anything, and maybe that’s what you need to know?