The Unfinished Child - Softcover

Theresa Shea

Softcover

ISBN 10: 192736602X ISBN 13: 9781927366028

Publisher: Brindle & Glass Publishing, 2013

Synopsis

When Marie MacPherson, a mother of two, finds herself unexpectedly pregnant at thirty-nine, she feels guilty. Her best friend, Elizabeth, has never been able to conceive, despite years of fertility treatments. Marie's dilemma is further complicated when she becomes convinced something is wrong with her baby. She then enters the world of genetic testing and is entirely unprepared for the decision that lies ahead.

Intertwined throughout the novel is the story of Margaret, who gave birth to a daughter with Down syndrome in 1947, when such infants were defined as ""unfinished"" children. As the novel shifts back and forth through the decades, the lives of the three women converge, and the story speeds to an unexpected conclusion.

With skill and poise, debut novelist Theresa Shea dramatically explores society's changing views of Down syndrome over the past sixty years. The story offers an unflinching and compassionate history of the treatment of people with Down syndrome and their struggle for basic human rights. Ultimately, The Unfinished Child is an unforgettable and inspiring tale about the mysterious and complex bonds of family, friendship, and motherhood.

About this title

About the Author

Theresa Shea has published poetry, fiction, essays, reviews, and articles in a number of Canadian magazines and journals. Born in Maryland and raised throughout the United States, she moved to Canada in 1977 and currently lives with her husband and three children in Edmonton, Alberta.

Reviews

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

Edition details

• Publisher: Brindle & Glass Publishing
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 192736602X
• ISBN 13: 9781927366028
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 312