During a snowstorm in 1964, Dr. David Henry delivers his own twin children, but when he realizes that the girl twin has Down syndrome he sends her away with a nurse and tells his wife that the girl died. This dark secret cripples the family in subtle but terrible ways. David, guilt-stricken, becomes icy and removed, finding solace only in his photography. His wife throws herself into her career and also a series of affairs. Paul, their son, turns to music to escape the unloving home. Meanwhile, Phoebe grows up in the home of the nurse, a lonely romantic who secretly loves David. Kim Edwards explores the psychological reverberations of the pivotal action with insight and heart.

In a tale spanning twenty-five years, a doctor delivers his newborn twin daughter during a snowstorm and, rashly deciding to protect his wife from the baby's affliction with Down Syndrome, turns her over to a nurse, who secretly raises the child. A first novel.

In a tale spanning twenty-five years, a doctor delivers his newborn twin daughter during a snowstorm and, rashly deciding to protect his wife from the baby's affliction with Down Syndrome, turns her over to a nurse, who secretly raises the child. A first novel.