As I have just finished the last section of my book, so many things have happened. Some were surprising things and some were not. The book was not the worst book I have ever read, especially considering how the beginning was.
Two common themes within the book that were portrayed throughout the book were to keep going even if you think you will fail. Multiple situations have shown that which will most likely be talked about later. Another theme was to do what makes you happy, even if that means cutting people off. That was one of the biggest themes within the book, which will also probably be talked about later. All themes within the book could be taken literally and into the real world. Trying again and again results in success. Success also means to do what truly makes you happy and to truly find yourself. Doing what makes you happy means taking risks as well. Nothing will work out in the long run if you do not do what’s best for you. Not for others.
I will give a summary of the book to make the post make a little bit more sense, in case some have some questions of course. If you really do not feel like reading about the book, or if you want to read the book, definitely skip a couple of paragraphs. Which would be the next 4 paragraphs.
David and Norah are happily married and successful with a happy life. She then became pregnant, with twins. There was a catch though. One of the twins had come out with Down Syndrome. Down Syndrome back then was not something people liked to talk about or deal with. It was something that they had felt was embarrassing to the point that they had given their children away.
A similar situation had taken place with Phoebe, the daughter who was born with Down Syndrome. She was taken by a nurse, named Caroline, who was supposed to take her to an institution. She never did, instead, she raised Phoebe. David had told Norah that Phoebe had passed. She did not know she was still alive until David passed, decades later.
^This picture is what makes me think of Caroline and Phoebe, as Caroline took Phoebe in when she did not need to.
Once she found out she was shocked. Later, though, she came to her senses and saw Phoebe. She reminded her a lot of Paul, and Paul saw himself within her too. Paul is the normal brother, as to what Norah soon referred him to. They later built a semi-decent relationship with one another, and they all became content with their lives.
Once Norah had found out David passed, she went on to marry another guy. He was not really within the book much, which was kind of boring, to be honest. Along with Paul’s girlfriend, who sounded like a huge drama queen. She was arguing with him about the fact he brought up marriage and then she wanted to talk about children, like slow your roll. You are not even married yet lol. Which nothing is wrong with having children before marriage, but Paul wants to wait. I hope Paul comes to his senses in the future. Al, Caroline’s husband, was still in the picture. It turns out, he was not a creepy guy. He was one to turn out to be a good guy. I know was kind of in shock, to be honest. I don’t know, maybe it is just me but the people to just show up and be extremely nice to people they have never met before is kind of weird to me.
My favorite character within the book I would say is Caroline. She was super strong-witted and never failed to stop providing for Phoebe, even if times were tough for her. She did what was best for not only herself but for Phoebe as well. She is so selfless and it is so admiring. I think more people should act like Caroline. Maybe the world would be a better place then. That is definitely too much to ask for but maybe there is hope?
If I were to tell someone about this book, rather than giving them a huge summary, I would tell them that is a pretty slow-paced book up until the end. Nothing is solved until the last couple of chapters of the book. Some people within the book will definitely surprise you. Which is normal with all things.
^This is what I feel lthe book is like when it drags on. Definitely want to be the rabbit in that given moment.
Overall I would give the book a solid 5/10. It was not the worst book I have read but I definitely was not eager to read it all the time. How was I supposed to know I would not like it much if I did not read it, and sometimes you just have to read what is given to you. If you like a slow-paced, historical, mystery book, definitely give it a try.