The Housekeeper's Secret


 Very intriguing non fiction memoir.

Part 1 is the story of Sandra and her dysfunctional family being raised in Chicago.  Her father is emotionally and verbally abusive to the children and their mother.  He is wealthy, but not happy.  

A housekeeper is hired and she stays with them for the next 30 years.  She never gives any personal information and closes up when questions are asked about her former life, but she is warm and helpful and supportive of the six children.  All the family adore her.

Finally, after many years, the wife has the courage to divorce her husband and she and Lou (the housekeeper) move together to a small town home where they live in peace and harmony.  

Part 2 tells the story of the Housekeeper's secret.  On her death bed, she asks Sandra to write her story.  However, Sandy has no information about Lou and her background.  Through a series of interesting coincidences, she learns about Lou and her story.  Which is truly amazing.  She was abused, raped, horribly beaten, and gave birth to five children, none of whom she was allowed to keep.  Additionally, she was in a mental home for 13 years (where four of her children were born!)

Yet, she had been so patient, so calm, so loving, so good with the Schnakenburg family in spite of the horrors of her background.

I give the book 4 stars.  

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