Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
I was actually a little terrified of this novel at first. I have a cousin and a sister in law with Down Syndrome and I thought this would be so hard to read . But the author didn't spend too much time on the school and the horror that awaited there. We do get a bit of insight into the cruelty that happens in that "school" throughout the book. What we don't get a lot of - and I was hoping for- was about Lucy. This book seemed to focus more on Ginny and all she goes through and that was disappointing.
3 or maybe a 3.5, I can’t decide. Something about the story felt a little far fetched and though it said “based on a true story”, upon further reading I think only minimally so. There were a few plot lines that didn’t make sense to me, but it was still a compelling story about a woman standing up for what was right despite the consequences.
A little rose-colored. Especially the ending. All the bad stuff happens off-screen, too. I don't *want* bad endings or graphic violence, it was just too movie of the week.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the free book.
This book, set in the early 70s, was a wild ride. Ginny never felt right about her baby being taken to an institution after she was born with Down Syndrome, but her husband and father-in-law had other ideas. The book follows her courageous journey to take her daughter and not return her. Along the way, she examines her marriage, friendship, and parenting of her six year old son. I liked the reflections in this story. They were vulnerable and honest. I do wish there was some more focus on the horrible treatment of these children. This book revolves around a major injustice - inhumane treatment. I wish there had been more revelation around this - especially with Ab. But it was a story that I didn't want to stop once started.
This book, set in the early 70s, was a wild ride. Ginny never felt right about her baby being taken to an institution after she was born with Down Syndrome, but her husband and father-in-law had other ideas. The book follows her courageous journey to take her daughter and not return her. Along the way, she examines her marriage, friendship, and parenting of her six year old son. I liked the reflections in this story. They were vulnerable and honest. I do wish there was some more focus on the horrible treatment of these children. This book revolves around a major injustice - inhumane treatment. I wish there had been more revelation around this - especially with Ab. But it was a story that I didn't want to stop once started.
Books inspired by true events are always fascinating to me. While reading Keeping Lucy I was simultaneously heartbroken at how children with Down Syndrome were treated back in the day and so incredibly thankful that we’ve come so far. No longer are children with disabilities banished to homes or hospitals but are an active and integral part of our society. And we, as a society, are better for it.
Ginny’s beautiful daughter Lucy is born with Down Syndrome and taken from her immediately to go to Willowridge, a home for the “feeble minded.” Two years later there is an expose in the paper about the deplorable conditions at Willowridge. Ginny and her best friend go to see the conditions for themselves and set on a course to save Lucy.
This beautiful novel about love and motherhood captivated me from start to finish. I was deeply invested in Lucy’s rights and her safety. While hard to read at times, this is a real and raw look at the deplorable conditions some children were sent to live in. I work in Special Education and had a deep investment in this book from the start. Thank you @stmartinspress for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
Ginny’s beautiful daughter Lucy is born with Down Syndrome and taken from her immediately to go to Willowridge, a home for the “feeble minded.” Two years later there is an expose in the paper about the deplorable conditions at Willowridge. Ginny and her best friend go to see the conditions for themselves and set on a course to save Lucy.
This beautiful novel about love and motherhood captivated me from start to finish. I was deeply invested in Lucy’s rights and her safety. While hard to read at times, this is a real and raw look at the deplorable conditions some children were sent to live in. I work in Special Education and had a deep investment in this book from the start. Thank you @stmartinspress for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
Keeping Lucy is based on true events, making the novel even more intense and heart-wrenching. When Ginny’s and Ab’s daughter Lucy is born with Down Syndrome, Ginny’s husband Ab and his father decide that the best thing to do is to send her away to a special “school”. Two years later, news stories emerge exposing the atrocious conditions of the so-called “school”, and Ginny knows she must go to her daughter. This novel depicts a woman finding her voice and strength after years of being on the sideline. I also appreciate the strong theme of female friendship between Ginny and her best friend Marsha, whom goes above and beyond to help her throughout this journey. I liked the structure of the novel, with chapters from Ginny’s and Ab’s developing relationship in the 1960’s, and from 1971 when Ginny starts her relationship with her daughter Lucy; I think it helped to have that background information dispersed throughout the novel. This is a moving book that is difficult to put down; 4.5 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I read this in two sittings, it was that easy and fast. I’m horrified this was based on a real institution and class action suit. Such a compelling story.
3.5 *s.
In 1969, it was not uncommon for babies born with Down's Syndrome to be taken at birth and placed in homes for the "feeble-minded". Ginny's son was placed in such a home, but two years later she learns that the home is filled with neglected children. She and her best friend head there to check out the conditions and are appalled. They flee with the child and wild race across the states ensues.
Historically, I found this novel very interesting, but I found too much time spent on the fleeing with the child. It almost felt like a Thelma and Louise style adventure.
In 1969, it was not uncommon for babies born with Down's Syndrome to be taken at birth and placed in homes for the "feeble-minded". Ginny's son was placed in such a home, but two years later she learns that the home is filled with neglected children. She and her best friend head there to check out the conditions and are appalled. They flee with the child and wild race across the states ensues.
Historically, I found this novel very interesting, but I found too much time spent on the fleeing with the child. It almost felt like a Thelma and Louise style adventure.
I listened to this book in a day--the story was captivating. It is very sad to realize that the 1970s were not that long ago, along with the gross mistreatment of those with disabilities (not that there isn't mistreatment now). This was a true love story; of a mother who would do anything for a daughter, and changing the heart of her husband along the way. While we didn't get to see justice for Lucy and the others abused at her "school," I can only hope it would have happened. The audio narration was really good, and I enjoyed the pace of the story.
While Ginny was never who Ab's parents hoped for him to marry, they did and have a perfect little boy Peyton. When Ginny gives birth to their second child however, Ab and his family are horrified to see that little Lucy has Down Syndrome. It's 1969, and Ab's father quickly whisks the baby away to a "school" meant for children like her. Ginny wakes up to find her baby girl is gone, and all attempts to see her as the months go by get brushed off by her husband.
Two years later, Ginny's best friend Marsha shows up with several newspaper articles. The "school" is all over the papers being exposed for abuse and neglect. Ginny and Marsha quickly head off with Peyton to see for themselves. Ginny is allowed to take Lucy out for the weekend, but after what she has seen while picking her up, she knows she can never let her child return to that hell. Ginny must finally stand up to her husband and her in-laws all while running away and hoping the law doesn't get involved.
I could not stop reading this one once I started. My heart broke for the conditions Lucy was kept in, but this book was truly about the strength of a mothers love and what lengths she will go to for her children. Marsha is officially the best friend ever. I mean I have some great friends that would do anything for me, but I'm not sure any would go this far. She was a fantastic character and I loved her for everything she did for Ginny. I felt like there was a lot of growth for Ab through this book. He started so strong against his parents, but ended up giving in and letting them rule his life. I enjoyed seeing how he dealt with that over time.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for allowing me to read and review this book in advance.
Two years later, Ginny's best friend Marsha shows up with several newspaper articles. The "school" is all over the papers being exposed for abuse and neglect. Ginny and Marsha quickly head off with Peyton to see for themselves. Ginny is allowed to take Lucy out for the weekend, but after what she has seen while picking her up, she knows she can never let her child return to that hell. Ginny must finally stand up to her husband and her in-laws all while running away and hoping the law doesn't get involved.
I could not stop reading this one once I started. My heart broke for the conditions Lucy was kept in, but this book was truly about the strength of a mothers love and what lengths she will go to for her children. Marsha is officially the best friend ever. I mean I have some great friends that would do anything for me, but I'm not sure any would go this far. She was a fantastic character and I loved her for everything she did for Ginny. I felt like there was a lot of growth for Ab through this book. He started so strong against his parents, but ended up giving in and letting them rule his life. I enjoyed seeing how he dealt with that over time.
Thank you to Netgalley and St Martins Press for allowing me to read and review this book in advance.