Review: The Unfinished Child by Theresa Shea

The Unfinished Child

by Theresa Shea

Publisher: Brindle & Glass

Pages: 304

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  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.

Kritters Thoughts:  Part current story, part a little historical and a completely fantastic book!  Dealing with the social issue of how developmentally disabled children were treated in the past and thankfully the societal changes that have been made - I loved this book!

Three women tell their parts of the story and eventually it all intersects!  The historical character is a woman who gives birth to her first child who ends up having Down Syndrome and at that time most children were signed over to a treatment center and raised there.  Two other women are life long friends, one has two children and a whoopsie on the way while the other has battled with infertility and has decided to try to live with life as it is.  

I loved the flow of this book, it read so easily.  It was a simple and great book.  I was entranced by the characters so quickly and was completely invested in them and their stories.  I wanted to know how these friends would survive this life speedbump.  

I read it in two sittings and would recommend it to all readers, it isn't too historical if you aren't into that genre.  

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from TLC Book Tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.