Title: My Name is Memory
Author: Ann Brashares
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 24 June 2010
Hardback: 416 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
RATING: 9/10
BACK COVER SUMMARY:
Daniel tells me that he’s always loved me. That I feel the same. That I always have. Not just in this life, but in my last life, and all my lives before. But I don’t remember him. He says he is always searching for me. Always hoping that one day I will remember. But it is only he that carries the memory of our love. I know that finding true love is never easy. Perhaps you have fought for it. Perhaps, like Daniel, you have endured the pain of it being unrequited. But I hope your quest ends happily. I hope you never have to face the heartbreak that inevitably awaits us. This is our extraordinary, unforgettable story.
REVIEW:
I was so looking forward to reading this book. Hooked as soon as I read the back cover. Thankfully ‘My Name is Memory‘ did not disappoint.
It tells the haunting love story of Daniel and Lucy. For centuries Daniel has lived with a gift. A gift that he calls ‘the memory’. He remembers every single one of his past lives right up to his very first in 541AD. He has been poor, he has been wealthy, he has suffered, he has been lucky, he has lived in many different countries and amongst many cultures. But in each of these lives, one thing remains true. He loves Lucy.
This love has consumed Daniel, affecting all of his decisions in nearly all of his lives. However, despite this overriding passion, they have only had two lives in all of these centuries where they were ever had the small chance to be together. The first when Lucy was Sophia, the abused wife of his brother. The second when she was Constance, the nurse who cared for him as a soldier on his death bed in the first World War. Until now their love has been both doomed and unrequited.
One of the most heart wrenching lives for me was when Daniel was a young boy and Lucy an elderly woman. His devotion to her even then unquestionable.
This story begins with Lucy and Daniel in high school. While Lucy finds Daniel fascinating, she has no idea who he is. Daniel sees this life as the first ever where they possibly stand a chance of being together, so desperately tries to be patient and keep his distance. The main story follows Lucy and Daniel through high school and college, but is interspersed with Daniel’s fascinating recollections of some of his past lives.
Daniel is utterly compelling throughout the book, and I engaged with his narrative far more than Lucy’s at first. But Lucy really comes into her own in the second half of the novel, growing as a character. It is easy to forget of course that why they are of a similar age, Daniel has many years of maturity on her and this is cleverly portrayed. The book builds slowly, layering up the story carefully and with passionate intensity. Because of this it is more about the love story and the relationship between Daniel and Lucy than any true action.
However, in the last 100 pages things take a sinister turn. While his talent is incredibly rare, Daniel is not the only one with ‘the memory’. Just when happiness might be in his grasp, and age old enemy comes looking for his ultimate vengeance.
I finished this book with a gasp, incredulous that the the author could leave me that way. I’ve heard that this book is the first in a trilogy and I desperately hope so, already longing to read the next instalment!
People have drawn comparisons between it and ‘The Time Traveller’s Wife‘ which is one of my all time favourite books. There are certainly similarities in the soul-consuming love that both books depict. I would say it you loved the first then you will love ‘My Name is Memory‘ also.
VERDICT:
This is a poetic and beautiful love story that will make your heart ache. I loved this book and it has quickly propelled itself into one of my favourite books of the year so far.
SOURCE: Thank you to Hodder for sending BCC this book for review.
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You can find out more about the author here:
11 Comments
I will give the book a second try after this review. I got an ARC months ago and I just got so bored reading it. Great Review!
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I like the sound of this one, but although I enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife, I did have a few issues with it and I suppose it's for that reason I'm reluctant to read this…
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Luckily this book is next on my reading pile, I'm a little excited to read itnow
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wow, I think I may just bump this one up in my reading pile
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Sounds quite similar to the Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson. I quite enjoyed that, so I might seek this one out.
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I really like the sound of this and the cover is lovely, shall look out for it!
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This sounds like a really good read . I must stop putting books on my 'To read@ pile. Never mind i will just have to make more room for them.
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@windowpane memoirs I guess I can understand where you may have got bored with it, as it does build quite slowly. But as it did I found Daniel's stories fascinating. I genuinely loved it so worth giving it another go
@BookChickCity the love story is intense like the TTW but while you jump back for Daniel's recollections of his past lives, it is more linear. So hopefully you won't have the same issues. Or maybe I'm just a sucker for love stories!
@Clover ooh I hope you like it as much as I did
@Bella I loved it, but I do like all consuming love stories. I hope you enjoy
@Stephanie I've not come across The Gargoyle but I'll look out for it thanks.
@Dot I think the paperback has a different cover actually. So you may want to look out for the hardback. It's a lovely story
@Carol810 you and me both
but always good to have lots of books to read than none!
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There were parts of this that were slow, but overall, I loved it. Ann Brashares is one of my new favorite writers.
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This one is definitely on my wish list! The cover you feature here (I assume it is the UK cover), is much better than the one here in the US…..
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@Lorielle yes there were a couple of parts that were slow. But they didn't bother me too much because I enjoyed Daniel's back story.
@Julie P yes it's the UK hardback cover. I like it better than the US one too
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