THE HIDDEN CHILD by Louise Fein

 

“The Hidden Child is a heart-wrenching depiction of a golden couple in the 1920s…. Shocking, emotive, and compelling, but ultimately a story of hope. I loved it.” -- Deborah Carr, USA Today bestselling author of The Poppy Field 

In this new historical novel by the author of Daughter of the Reich, Londoners Eleanor and Edward Hamilton have it all. But the 1929 financial crash is looming, and they’re harboring a shameful secret. How far are they willing to go to protect their charmed life? 

Eleanor Hamilton is happily married and mother to a charming four-year-old girl, Mabel. Her husband, Edward, is a leading light in the burgeoning Eugenics movement, which is designing the very ideas that will soon be embraced by Hitler.

But when their daughter develops debilitating epileptic seizures, their world fractures. Mabel’s shameful illness must be hidden or Edward’s life’s work and the family’s honor will be in jeopardy.

When Eleanor discovers Edward has been keeping secrets, she calls into question everything she believed about genetic inferiority, and her previous unshakeable faith in her husband disintegrates. Alarmed, distressed, and no longer able to bear the family’s burden, she takes matters into her own hands.

Inspired by her personal experience, author Louise Fein illuminates moral and ethical issues of an era shaped by xenophobia, prejudice, fear, and well-intentioned yet flawed science. Vividly rendered, deeply affecting, and impeccably researched, The Hidden Child is a sweeping story and a richly drawn portrait of a family torn apart by shame, deceit, and dangerous ideals.

MY THOUGHTS 

This is a very difficult book to read in parts. It's about things  that happened during the twenties and in parts used children as subjects. I hated that. Set in England. I hated reading about these things, but it was real. It should not be hidden. It should be talked about. Let's not do this again. I sometimes wonder if it is happening or if there are people who are doing these things still. Or that want too. I sure hope not.

When Eleanor and  her husband, Edward, met she was working for him. Eleanor was very much interested in Eugenics because of a tragedy that happened when she was younger. Her and Edward start seeing each other and end up married. They have a baby girl, Mabel. When Mabel is four years old she starts having seizures. She's diagnosed with epilepsy much to Edward's shame. He wants it hid because of the work he is trying to do. Because of the things he wants to do. Because to me he is a very selfish, self centered person. Eleanor loves her little girl and the diagnosis does not deter her in the least. She's also pregnant again. After several miscarriages she is trying hard to stay calm so she can have a healthy baby. 

Rose is Eleanor's young sister. She's totally different from Eleanor. She's a kind of free spirited young woman who wants to be a journalist. She's also met someone and is in love. She doesn't want to get married though. Just have a love affair and live her life. She loves her sister and her niece dearly and she loves her brother in law. Edward has helped Rose a lot. He's a rich man who is a war hero from the first world war.  Edward has many secrets though. 

While I didn't like Edward at all I do believe he loved his daughter. I think he's afraid of what will happen. He's afraid of what people will say. But that also makes him very selfish. His family should be the most important of all.   He does some things that are just not right and that makes him very unlikable. You should never hide your child. You should not be ashamed of that child. Even his secrets are partial lies when he finally shares that part with his wife. I just didn't much care for him. I was aggravated with Eleanor at a few points too. She didn't seem to care for her new born baby. But then again she was going through a lot and needed some help.   I did like her for the most part. I like most of the major characters.

There were between chapters where epilepsy tells their part. That was very interesting. A bit different but so informing too. Even though I hate that it exists I did enjoy reading these. They tell a lot. This author has a great imagination. 

This book is good. It's a lot to take in in parts but you will learn a lot too. The chapters that are from Eleanor are the best. The ones from Edward got a bit tedious at times. Make you a little upset with him. Different point of views are always good though.  The things that happened in this book will stick with you. Make you think. Possibly make you appreciate what you have. Even the rich at times have problems that money can't fix. Of course the money makes it easier I suppose.  I enjoyed reading this book. It had some things that I had not known about going on and learning is a big plus when i read. Well done.

Thank you #NetGalley, #LouiseFein, #WilliamMorrowandCustomHouse for this ARC. This is my own true feelings about this book.

4/5 stars and I do recommend this book. It's very good. Well written and held my interest. It made me have such deep emotions.