Book #5: Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain
I just finished Necessary Lies by Diane Chamberlain, a historical fiction novel set against the backdrop of North Carolina's eugenics program.
Jane Forrester is a motivated woman of the '60s. Despite her husband wanting her to be the typical housewife, Jane wants a career. She interviews as a social worker and is hired immediately. As part of her assignment, she meets the Hart family. Jane is chastised for not being able to separate her emotions from her work, especially when she learns that the state of North Carolina still has a eugenics program.
I really enjoyed this book. From the writing style to the character development, Chamberlain is a great storyteller. Though I never know from historical fiction how much of it is an accurate portrayal versus poetic license, I never realized that the eugenics program went on so recently in the US. There's something terrifying about that.
I really enjoyed Chamberlain's writing style.
Do you have any suggestions of other, similar books?
Jane Forrester is a motivated woman of the '60s. Despite her husband wanting her to be the typical housewife, Jane wants a career. She interviews as a social worker and is hired immediately. As part of her assignment, she meets the Hart family. Jane is chastised for not being able to separate her emotions from her work, especially when she learns that the state of North Carolina still has a eugenics program.
I really enjoyed this book. From the writing style to the character development, Chamberlain is a great storyteller. Though I never know from historical fiction how much of it is an accurate portrayal versus poetic license, I never realized that the eugenics program went on so recently in the US. There's something terrifying about that.
I really enjoyed Chamberlain's writing style.
Do you have any suggestions of other, similar books?