When Madeline Was Young by Jane Hamilton is the story of a Midwest family through the generations narrated by Mac, the son who grew up with Madeline, a sister figure with mental retardation. Madeline was actually Mac's father's first wife who was left with the mental capacities of a 7-year-old after a bike accident. Mac's father remarried and he and his new wife take care of Madeline as if she were their child. This is a powerful story of family, loyalty, love and war.