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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
The topic of Keeping Lucy is meaningful and I think would appeal to many readers. Before the 1970s parents of special needs children were often encouraged to institutionalize those kids, both because their abilities to provide the needed care were questioned, and because society as a whole had made the choice to hide away evidence of biological imperfection. This is a story of one mother who fought against the norm, and dared to see her daughter with Downs Syndrome as precious.
I loved the message, and the emotion and characters in the book were well-done. The plot, however, was somewhat ridiculous. I won't give anything away here, but the mother's choices were stupid, and I couldn't help but thinking constantly that she was just creating more problems for herself (but without those problems it would have been a very short book!).
3 stars.
I loved the message, and the emotion and characters in the book were well-done. The plot, however, was somewhat ridiculous. I won't give anything away here, but the mother's choices were stupid, and I couldn't help but thinking constantly that she was just creating more problems for herself (but without those problems it would have been a very short book!).
3 stars.
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Last year I read my first book, [b:Rust & Stardust|36249634|Rust & Stardust|T. Greenwood|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1508012065s/36249634.jpg|57897346], by this author and it was phenomenal. So, I was very happy to receive this new publication from Netgalley to read and review.
Inspired by real events, Keeping Lucy is the story of one mother’s near impossible choice between her institutionalized child and the family who put her daughter there.
Although not in the same caliber as R & S, I still enjoyed it. It was well-written, and I though the connection between the then and now stories where especially well done. I felt for Ginny (the mother), but have to admit that I was also very frustrated with her passiveness. I realize this story is set in the 1970's but as Marsha (her best friend) shows us there are always other choices you can make.
This was a quick, engaging read and I think if you like [a:Kristina McMorris|4384611|Kristina McMorris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1291922747p2/4384611.jpg] you should give this a try. I will be looking out for her next book.
Inspired by real events, Keeping Lucy is the story of one mother’s near impossible choice between her institutionalized child and the family who put her daughter there.
Although not in the same caliber as R & S, I still enjoyed it. It was well-written, and I though the connection between the then and now stories where especially well done. I felt for Ginny (the mother), but have to admit that I was also very frustrated with her passiveness. I realize this story is set in the 1970's but as Marsha (her best friend) shows us there are always other choices you can make.
This was a quick, engaging read and I think if you like [a:Kristina McMorris|4384611|Kristina McMorris|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1291922747p2/4384611.jpg] you should give this a try. I will be looking out for her next book.
Fun Fact. I have an incomplete set of Tarot cards that I use for bookmarks. I randomly draw a card when I’m ready to stop reading. You’d be surprised at how often the card reflects the story. The chariot is about moving on, forward-thinking, and travel. Keeping Lucy had all that and more. 3.75 stars. I believe now I have read most of T.Greenwood’s novels. She is a wonderful writer. She seems to have gotten even better. She has shed her flowery descriptions and replaced them with clean forward-moving prose. In this book, I was reminded of how powerful women have always been, and continue to be. Unfortunately, if this gets made into a movie it will probably only be shown on Lifetime. So while we are a potent gender our work, our issues, and our strength will continue to be marginalized.
As a parent to a child who has special needs, this was a tough read, at times.
This book has not received the praise it deserves. Such a heart-wrenching story that left me speechless.
T. Greenwood has done it again. Her last novel, Rust & Stardust, was another 5-star read from me last year. I have been anxiously awaiting this one and it didnt disappoint. I finished in just a few days. This is a beautifully written novel about just how far a mother will go for her child. As a mother of a special needs child, this especially hit home for me. Trigger warnings here for child abuse descriptions...some points pretty severe. This was wonderful.
emotional
informative
sad
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
“She softens people,takes away their sharp edges”- highlights the lovability of children with Down Syndrome and the negative perceptions of many during ‘60’s and ‘70’s
A body forgets, but the heart remembers.
Such a dramatic move in the first part of the story, one that haunted me. Not sure how many people could have made this decision and lived with it. It touched a very real and sensitive issue and gave you a sense of hope for anyone facing a hardship.
It did not take me long to appreciate this story. It seemed like a litany of the flawed decisions of flawed characters. It is about actions taken. These actions have great effect upon their perpetrators and those who love them. My persistence was rewarded. Pain, loss, secrets, wanting to rescue loved ones from the secret that they do not know. These and many more themes persist, weaving a deep story throughout this lifelike narrative. It is not formulaic, but it is real—of the substance of living and loving.
This is a riveting story, told in prose that is almost lyrical in its beauty. The suspense is thrilling...as a reader I was sucked in by the compelling writing. It reads very fast, with the reader eagerly turning each page to learn more. In short, almost a detective story...but with a heart.
The novel shows how one decision, seemingly for the good, carries with it many ramifications. After finishing the book, I thought to myself...it would be interesting to know how everyone's lives would have been different had Lucy stayed with her family at home. Another story perhaps? Very touching, poignant.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Tammy Greenwood for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/
Such a dramatic move in the first part of the story, one that haunted me. Not sure how many people could have made this decision and lived with it. It touched a very real and sensitive issue and gave you a sense of hope for anyone facing a hardship.
It did not take me long to appreciate this story. It seemed like a litany of the flawed decisions of flawed characters. It is about actions taken. These actions have great effect upon their perpetrators and those who love them. My persistence was rewarded. Pain, loss, secrets, wanting to rescue loved ones from the secret that they do not know. These and many more themes persist, weaving a deep story throughout this lifelike narrative. It is not formulaic, but it is real—of the substance of living and loving.
This is a riveting story, told in prose that is almost lyrical in its beauty. The suspense is thrilling...as a reader I was sucked in by the compelling writing. It reads very fast, with the reader eagerly turning each page to learn more. In short, almost a detective story...but with a heart.
The novel shows how one decision, seemingly for the good, carries with it many ramifications. After finishing the book, I thought to myself...it would be interesting to know how everyone's lives would have been different had Lucy stayed with her family at home. Another story perhaps? Very touching, poignant.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Tammy Greenwood for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.
#NetGalley
All my reviews can be found on my blog: https://shelleyann01.blogspot.com/