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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
It's funny how a situation makes you reevaluate every decision you have made in your life up to that point. That's another thing I enjoyed about this story. It forced Ginny to step back and realize that she did not have to take everything that was thrown her way. She didn't have to settle for what others wanted or decided for her.
This story makes you think about decisions you'd make as a parent and show you that even when you feel powerless, it only takes a small amount of courage to do what you believe is the right thing to do.
See full review:
http://readerthenblogger.com/2019/08/23/keeping-lucy-by-t-greenwood-arc-review/
This story makes you think about decisions you'd make as a parent and show you that even when you feel powerless, it only takes a small amount of courage to do what you believe is the right thing to do.
See full review:
http://readerthenblogger.com/2019/08/23/keeping-lucy-by-t-greenwood-arc-review/
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
4⭐️Great story of a mom who fights to save her baby with Down Syndrome from an institution. Enjoyed the writing style and how the book flowed. Would recommend.
Wife and mother, Ginny, just gave birth to her second child. She is thrilled to wrap her arms around her daughter until the doctor tells her something is wrong, whisks her daughter away, and put her into a drug induced sleep. When she awakes her daughter is gone and her husband breaks the news that she has down syndrome. He tells her that she has been sent away to a school where she will be cared for. Two years later, Ginny, finds that the highly recommended "school" where her daughter has been living is not what she thought it was. She sets out to get her daughter back and is willing to risk almost anything to protect her.
I really loved this book. From the first chapter I was drawn in and while parts were difficult to read because of the subject matter, I had to keep turning the pages to find out what would happen. The writing was strong, I loved the characters, and I could understand the situations they faced. I highly recommend to readers who enjoy a well written story about motherhood and relationships.
I really loved this book. From the first chapter I was drawn in and while parts were difficult to read because of the subject matter, I had to keep turning the pages to find out what would happen. The writing was strong, I loved the characters, and I could understand the situations they faced. I highly recommend to readers who enjoy a well written story about motherhood and relationships.
When I added Keeping Lucy to the list of books I was anticipating most for 2019, I mentioned that it sounded like an intense tale of a mother’s love that would make me feel all the feels. And that’s exactly what it delivered.
In this historical fiction novel, Ginny gives birth to a baby girl, Lucy, who has Down syndrome, and is pressured to give her up to a special school for the “feeble-minded.” Two years later she discovers the school is not as it appeared to be and goes to check on her baby girl. Inspired by an actual state-run institution in Massachusetts that was exposed for its horrific living conditions, this story examines the fallout when those conditions are discovered.
Although the bulk of Keeping Lucy takes place around 1970, much of it felt more 1950s era to me, despite the historical fact grounding it in the time period. Mostly because Ginny’s character seems stuck in an earlier decade, especially early on in the book. However, it was great to see her character growth as the story progressed and toward the end, the setting felt more appropriate. This also moved at a faster paced than I expected it to, with plotting that helped to urge it onward quickly.
Ultimately, Keeping Lucy was powerful, emotional, and heartbreaking, and I couldn’t stop myself from crying on several occasions. Although this is historical fiction inspired by true events, several moments will require the reader to suspend disbelief. If this sounds like your kind of book, go ahead and give it a chance.
*Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc of this edition via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In this historical fiction novel, Ginny gives birth to a baby girl, Lucy, who has Down syndrome, and is pressured to give her up to a special school for the “feeble-minded.” Two years later she discovers the school is not as it appeared to be and goes to check on her baby girl. Inspired by an actual state-run institution in Massachusetts that was exposed for its horrific living conditions, this story examines the fallout when those conditions are discovered.
Although the bulk of Keeping Lucy takes place around 1970, much of it felt more 1950s era to me, despite the historical fact grounding it in the time period. Mostly because Ginny’s character seems stuck in an earlier decade, especially early on in the book. However, it was great to see her character growth as the story progressed and toward the end, the setting felt more appropriate. This also moved at a faster paced than I expected it to, with plotting that helped to urge it onward quickly.
Ultimately, Keeping Lucy was powerful, emotional, and heartbreaking, and I couldn’t stop myself from crying on several occasions. Although this is historical fiction inspired by true events, several moments will require the reader to suspend disbelief. If this sounds like your kind of book, go ahead and give it a chance.
*Thanks to the publisher for providing an arc of this edition via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another 5 star read. October has been a really good reading month, probably even the best of the year (so far!)
Keeping Lucy absolutely ruined me for a couple days. I wasn't ready to start another book, I just could not get these characters out of my head. I found myself pondering it while I was working, while in the shower, and while having dinner out with my love. This novel absolutely stuck with me.
Ginny is a powerhouse of a character, and I adored her. I think we can all see bits of ourselves, as women, in her. She fell for a wonderful man who let life get to him. She ended up in a life she never asked for, nor wanted. Everything is flipped on its head when she gives birth to Lucy, a child with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome as most people are familiar with it.
The rest of the book leads us down a thrilling road trip with Ginny's best friend, Marsha. Marsha is another powerhouse of a character, and I adored her. She was tough everywhere Ginny was soft, but incredibly likeable and realistic.
Lucy girl was the highlight. T. Greenwood wrote Lucy as a beautiful, sweet little girl who also happens to have Trisomy 21. A lot of other (problematic) books make the person all about their disability. There is no separation. Lucy is her own self. I adored her.
I highly recommend this to anyone, although it needs to be said it is gut wrenching and deals closely with child abuse and neglect. It's not for everyone.
Keeping Lucy absolutely ruined me for a couple days. I wasn't ready to start another book, I just could not get these characters out of my head. I found myself pondering it while I was working, while in the shower, and while having dinner out with my love. This novel absolutely stuck with me.
Ginny is a powerhouse of a character, and I adored her. I think we can all see bits of ourselves, as women, in her. She fell for a wonderful man who let life get to him. She ended up in a life she never asked for, nor wanted. Everything is flipped on its head when she gives birth to Lucy, a child with Trisomy 21, or Down Syndrome as most people are familiar with it.
The rest of the book leads us down a thrilling road trip with Ginny's best friend, Marsha. Marsha is another powerhouse of a character, and I adored her. She was tough everywhere Ginny was soft, but incredibly likeable and realistic.
Lucy girl was the highlight. T. Greenwood wrote Lucy as a beautiful, sweet little girl who also happens to have Trisomy 21. A lot of other (problematic) books make the person all about their disability. There is no separation. Lucy is her own self. I adored her.
I highly recommend this to anyone, although it needs to be said it is gut wrenching and deals closely with child abuse and neglect. It's not for everyone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Forced institutionalization
This new #bookreview is for “Keeping Lucy” by T. Greenwood, is due to be released on August 3. This novel is about a woman who only wants one thing – to save her Down Syndrome daughter from a horrible institution. Set in the 60s and 70s, it is semi-historical and semi-contemporary, as well as fully an adult coming of age, women’s novel (no romance). https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2019/07/26/travels-with-light/
Thanks to St Martin's Press for the free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
When I picked up RUST & STARDUST by T. Greenwood I fell in love with the writing and the story we got to experience. So when I saw KEEPING LUCY was coming out, I immediately knew I had to get a copy. I was not disappointed. A moving story about the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child – even from her husband and in-laws.
It’s 1969, and we open with Ginny going into labor two weeks early and during a Blood Moon. Which everyone around her warned her would happen. We experience her confusion and panic when the doctor explains to her in her groggy state that her daughter was born with defects, what they called mongoloid. She isn’t allowed to see her daughter for days and they continue to force her to rest. Her husband, Ab, finally is at her bedside and explains that he and his parents have sent their newborn daughter, Lucy, to an institution that cares for children “like her”.
Fast-forward two years, and her world turns upside down when an article is written about the institution she was sent to and they inhumane conditions the children live in. Determined to save her daughter, and finally meet her, Ginny, her best friend Marsha, and her six year old son, Peyton, all make the journey to get Lucy. After seeing what poor health Lucy is in and the obvious neglect she has been subjected to, Ginny makes the decision to keep Lucy and check her out for good. Things get complicated when we learn that her husband signed Lucy over to the state – Ginny is no longer seen as her mother or guardian and can be arrested for kidnapping if she doesn’t return Lucy. Here starts the desperate journey to keep Lucy safe.
Greenwood takes us across the country as Ginny tries to stay a step ahead of her husband. There was that slight feeling of cat-and-mouse, but this would definitely fall under the fiction category. You just feel for Ginny and her undying need and desire to keep her only daughter. As I was reading, I completely forgot the time period and was shocked how people treated children with mental/physical disabilities. I loved seeing Ginny grow in her independence from page one until the end. Having never gone against what her husband wanted, this was a story of growth and finding her strength. I’ll continue to pick up whatever Greenwood releases, and I would highly recommend this one for your summer TBR!
When I picked up RUST & STARDUST by T. Greenwood I fell in love with the writing and the story we got to experience. So when I saw KEEPING LUCY was coming out, I immediately knew I had to get a copy. I was not disappointed. A moving story about the lengths a mother will go to to protect her child – even from her husband and in-laws.
It’s 1969, and we open with Ginny going into labor two weeks early and during a Blood Moon. Which everyone around her warned her would happen. We experience her confusion and panic when the doctor explains to her in her groggy state that her daughter was born with defects, what they called mongoloid. She isn’t allowed to see her daughter for days and they continue to force her to rest. Her husband, Ab, finally is at her bedside and explains that he and his parents have sent their newborn daughter, Lucy, to an institution that cares for children “like her”.
Fast-forward two years, and her world turns upside down when an article is written about the institution she was sent to and they inhumane conditions the children live in. Determined to save her daughter, and finally meet her, Ginny, her best friend Marsha, and her six year old son, Peyton, all make the journey to get Lucy. After seeing what poor health Lucy is in and the obvious neglect she has been subjected to, Ginny makes the decision to keep Lucy and check her out for good. Things get complicated when we learn that her husband signed Lucy over to the state – Ginny is no longer seen as her mother or guardian and can be arrested for kidnapping if she doesn’t return Lucy. Here starts the desperate journey to keep Lucy safe.
Greenwood takes us across the country as Ginny tries to stay a step ahead of her husband. There was that slight feeling of cat-and-mouse, but this would definitely fall under the fiction category. You just feel for Ginny and her undying need and desire to keep her only daughter. As I was reading, I completely forgot the time period and was shocked how people treated children with mental/physical disabilities. I loved seeing Ginny grow in her independence from page one until the end. Having never gone against what her husband wanted, this was a story of growth and finding her strength. I’ll continue to pick up whatever Greenwood releases, and I would highly recommend this one for your summer TBR!
I appreciated the way that the author handled the topic of Down syndrome. This was a difficult diagnosis for a child to receive in the 60s and 70s, and even now, many people don’t see value in a child diagnosed with Down syndrome and often consider abortion. I loved watching Ginny’s relationship with her daughter develop over time.
In the period this book took place, I couldn’t believe her child was taken away from her without her consent. It angered me and broke my heart. Her mother wanted Lucy so desperately, but the doctors and society decided for her. My favorite part of the book was how far Ginny Richardson was willing to go to fight for her daughter.
That being said, I assumed this book would be more about the historical abuse at Willowbrook State School. Instead, it read more like a domestic thriller and focused more on the mother's story rather than Lucy's story.
You may want to pick this one up if you loved Lisa Wingate’s book Before We Were Yours.
In the period this book took place, I couldn’t believe her child was taken away from her without her consent. It angered me and broke my heart. Her mother wanted Lucy so desperately, but the doctors and society decided for her. My favorite part of the book was how far Ginny Richardson was willing to go to fight for her daughter.
That being said, I assumed this book would be more about the historical abuse at Willowbrook State School. Instead, it read more like a domestic thriller and focused more on the mother's story rather than Lucy's story.
You may want to pick this one up if you loved Lisa Wingate’s book Before We Were Yours.