The Unfinished Child
Margaret and Donald Harrington are thrilled to be having their first baby. But in the 1940s, a baby born with Down syndrome was considered more of a curse, and their daughter, Carolyn, is immediately sent to an institution. In 2002, Marie and her husband, Barry, are less than thrilled with her surprise pregnancy. It further complicates Marie’s relationship with her best friend, Elizabeth, whose own infertility has driven a wedge between her and her husband, Ron. The stories of these three Edmonton women living in two different times converge when Marie discovers that her unborn child has Down syndrome. This is not a feel-good book, and Shea does not shy away from the harsh realities of institutional life, but the characters are engaging, complicated women struggling with issues outside of their control. For such a highly emotional story line, the pace moves quickly without becoming overwrought or maudlin. Book groups could have heated discussions about the decisions each character makes—and whether or not the decisions were truly the will of each woman. This controversial story will appeal to readers of Jodi Picoult. --Susan Maguire