Reading
Just finished reading The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards. Quoting from the book
'This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins. His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own.' The book describes the path of life for all those whose lives were affected by the lie. Beautifully written. Really enjoyed it
Now reading The Secret Scripture by Sebastian Barry. This book is about an old woman in a Roscommon mental hospital where she was committed as a young woman. The hospital is about to be closed and her psychiatrist is tidying up his case notes. He is intrigued about the old woman's story and why she is here. Meanwhile the old lady recounts her life in a secret journal which she keeps locked away. I'm half way through it. I know from the cover that the psychiatrist finally discovers the circumstances of her arrival at the hospital, which leads to a shocking secret. Can't yet guess what this is. The book is set in Sligo. Having lived there for eight years, I recognise many of the places mentioned therein.
Heard Sebastian Barry being interviewed when he won the 2008 Costa Book Awards for this book. He had previously been shortlisted but didn't win the 2008 Man Booker prize. He said he finally got to deliver his previously written but until now unused acceptance speech.
Anyone with good reading recommendations, please let me know
