When Madeline Was Young

Title: When Madeline Was Young

Author: Jane Hamilton

Summary: Mac Maciver is a doctor who is confiding his family story - as he has learned it - to us, his audience. His family was a special case in that his parents did in-house care for his father's first wife - Madeline - after she had a bike accident which resulted in severe head injury sometime in the mid- 50's. Madeline was essentially 'young' Mac's entire life, and he describes what that was like, and what it was like to have a mother that accepting and loving. He also shares how difficult it was to explain his families situation to people as he grew up, moved away from home, dated, and married. And throughout the book, he also shares how his relationship with his cousin Buddy both anchored and changed his life.

Recommendation: I really wouldn't recommend this book. It was an interesting read, but more as an image of family life in the 60's and 70's and the political climate at the time than anything else.

Hearts: 2