Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Burden of Memory

Burden of Memory
by Vicki Delany

Moira Madison, a member of a wealthy Canadian family, has lived a long and successful life on her terms. Much to her socialite mother's dismay, Moira trained as a nurse and joined the Canadian Army Nursing Sisters during World War II. Later she participated in international medical charities. Moira, now in her eighties, wants to tell her life story. She hires biographer, Elaine Benson, for the job. Elaine moves into Moira's Lake Muskoka cottage to interview Moira and research family records and letters for the memoir. When Moira's sisters and their families come for Thanksgiving Elaine learns just how strongly they oppose Moira's book. They are afraid that Moira will disclose embarrassing family secrets. The book alternates between two time periods; Moira's life today and her years as a Canadian Army Nursing Sister where she met the love of her life and she learned a dark secret about her brother that she keeps long after his death. Vicki Delany gives the reader a strong sense of place. Not only of shimmering Lake Muskoka with its grand cottages built by prominent families but also of the uncertainty and heartbreak in Europe during the war years. -- recommended by Donna G. - Virtual Services Department

[ official Burden of Memory page on the official Vicki Delany web site ]

Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

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