The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman
Publisher: Ebury (30th Jan 2014)
Received a copy for review from publisher.
Blurb:
The name of your first-born. The face of your lover. Your age. Your address...
What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?
Is it possible to rebuild your life? Raise a family? Fall in love again?
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold on to the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?
What would happen if your memory of these began to fade?
Is it possible to rebuild your life? Raise a family? Fall in love again?
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementoes will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold on to the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?
I’ve only read one book by this
author and it was Married By Christmas, written by her alter-ego, Scarlett
Bailey. So I’m quite ashamed to admit that The
Memory Book is my first book by Rowan Coleman and after reading it, I might
as well get every one of her previous books because I flipping loved it!
The
Memory Book follows
the story of Claire Armstrong who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s,
where she has no control over her memories and recollections. Enter the memory
book, where she and her family pen their special memories together with her,
making the most of their time together and cherishing every moment.
It’s my first time reading from the perspective
of a character that has Alzheimer’s, and I’m telling you, it’s really an
eye-opener. Claire has Alzheimer’s and she’s easily confused. It’s quite
amazing how Rowan Coleman manages to introduce a heroine, which is quite special
in this case that, it’s the readers who know what she’s going through and what’s
going on in her Alzheimer-addled head. In many cases in the book, I really felt
for her. Can you imagine living every day where you can’t fully rely on your
brain to not cock up? How would you feel if you wake up one day and have the
shock of your life when a stranger, who is your husband, kisses you good
morning?
It is quite evident that Rowan
Coleman is a household name when it comes to the genre and she knows what she’s
writing. This is because The Memory Book has
definitely blown me away, I reckon I might have missed out a lot for not
reading her previous books! After reading The
Memory Book, I can’t wait to get my hands on her other books, really. If
they are as good as this one, oh! I’ve found another favourite author!
All in all, everything worked for me.
I adored the heroine, she’s such a strong, independent woman who I think
everyone would like and root for, the characters in the book are really
well-written and of course, there’s a Ryan Gosling in the book so I guess it
sums it all up? Come on, who doesn’t like a hero that is inspired by the
Gosling? I know I do!
The
Memory Book is an
exceptionally powerful story about motherhood, family bonds and acceptance. Wonderfully
insightful and achingly honest, I think it’s probably one of my favourites this
year. One that shouldn’t be missed! Highly recommended! Perfect for fan of The Notebook.
Rating: 9/10
Rating: 9/10
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| The perfect pair to play Claire and Greg has to be these two! |
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