Monday, April 5, 2010

Book Review: The Memory Thief

**This book review is purely my opinion of the book after having read it. I would love to start some discussions about other readers opinions. Thanks.**

This is a review of The Memory Thief, by Rachel Keener. Copyright © 2010; fiction. List price: $13.99. ISBN 978-1-59995-112-6.

Synopsis:

Hannah and Angel have lived totally different lives – Hannah was raised in a strict, religious family, and Angel was raised by poor alcoholics. Yet, both women have experienced the pain of a dysfunctional family, and each struggles to find her own identity. Their paths, by rights, should not have intersected, but the world is a small place. When their lives collide, both Hannah and Angel will learn who she is, and how to heal the wounds life inflicts.

Analysis:

This story is a beautiful, painful tale of misguided love, strength, dependence, and courage. It is as much a cautionary tale as it is a weaving of the past and present on lives. Through Hannah, Angel, and even Mrs. Reynolds’ stories, the reader is simultaneously warned against secret-keeping and lies, and encouraged to keep fighting, to keep hoping. Without hope, without the will to fight, if we subscribe to the lies we are told and allow the infection to spread and fester, our souls will hide away in self-protection. But, with love, with the truth in the open, the infection heals and the soul can emerge, fragile but ready to soar again.

This story, told from several viewpoints, allows the reader to connect dots throughout the story. Many times, the reasons behind events, feelings, actions and reactions of the characters throughout this book are explained or alluded to simply by switching viewpoints to another character. For instance, throughout the story, the reader may feel antagonistic or judgmental against Mrs. Reynolds, as we should, for she certainly has her faults. Near the end of the book, however, we learn a little about what makes Mrs. Reynolds so strict and, let’s face it, a little crazy. It does not, by any means, excuse her behavior; if anything, it adds humanity to the character and perhaps evokes sympathy we might not otherwise feel toward this seemingly callous woman. Interestingly, the author keeps this information to herself until the point at which the lives of the characters have unraveled to the point of near-catastrophe, and the secrets and lies have all but destroyed them.

From the beginning, it is apparent that, although Hannah and Angel have led extremely different lives, with totally different upbringings and families, they have something important in common: neither is allowed to become who she is really meant to become. Both are placed into an ill-fitting mold of someone else’s design, and beaten, literally or figuratively, into submission into these molds. Before long, each is convinced that The Mold is The Truth. The discomfort she feels as a result of her subconscious knowledge that something in her life is not as it should be, is pushed to the back of her mind. It resurfaces, as these things always do, with destructive consequences.

Hannah is the linchpin to the story – her journey is the framework; the beginning and end for each character hangs on Hannah’s story like vines on lattice. The reader is introduced to a shy, sheltered girl who is teased for being different. Immediately, we identify with her, and feel the fire of righteous indignation as we follow her through decades of a ruined life. We exult in her discovery of a talent, and pray that it will be her saving grace. We cautiously hope that finding true love will be the key to unlocking the cage that holds her true self captive, and as the truth of Hannah’s journey comes to light, we sit on the edge of our chairs, waiting for Hannah to see the light herself. For me, Hannah feels like a contemporary; she might be a friend or an acquaintance. I can see myself identifying with her on some level.

Angel is the catalyst of the story. She is the spark that sets change into motion, and when her path finally crosses Hannah’s, the effect is explosive. Throughout Angel’s tale, we pity the girl’s upbringing, cringe at her family’s obvious neglect, and worry for her mental and physical safety and well-being. We want to simultaneously shake her, and take her under our wing. We want to smack her parents and call the authorities, and we hope that someone in Angel’s life will realize that all is not well at home. When her path takes an unexpected turn, we begin to see how things might work out for Angel, if she would only get out of her own way. In the end, Angel brings out the mother in me – I want to protect her, heal her, show her the way to a better life.

Keener has created a beautiful tapestry of lives in this story. Her use of language and accents, her descriptions of people and locations, bring the story to life and add richness to the characters. This book is a great book club book, or vacation read. Be ready with the tissues.

2 comments:

  1. Melissa,
    Thank you for such an insightful review. You did a wonderful job peeling back the layers of Memory Thief. It's a great feeling to know my novel was enjoyed and fully understood as well.

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  2. Rachel,
    Thank you. You're a gifted writer; I'm looking forward to reading "The Killing Tree" as well. Please keep these books coming!

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