Skip to main content

Review - My name is memory - Ann Brashares

From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, inspired, magical book-a love story that lasts more than a lifetime.

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.

Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

A magical, suspenseful, heartbreaking story of true love, My Name is Memory proves the power and endurance of a union that was meant to be.


***
This is possibly the best book I have read so far this year. It literally blew me away in its awesomeness.

The main driving force of this story and the thing I loved the most about it is Daniel's ongoing love for Lucy a soul he keeps finding time and time again in the many different lives he has lived. The love he had for came across throughout the book beautifully. It really made you think about the whole concept of soul mates as they seemed destined for each despite the various circumstances they were in, in the different lives they were born into.

I really enjoyed the idea reincarnation used as the book's premise. I loved the idea that Daniel could remember all of his lives and enjoyed the chapters where he went back to explain his different lives and what he and Lucy/Sophia had been through. I liked the idea that he picked up something (be a language or a skill) with every life and carried them through to the next one. I loved the idea that he kept associating with the same souls time and time again (not just Lucy).

I must admit that I saw the twist coming but it didn't make it any less thrilling to read. There was no way anyone was prising the book out of my hands at this point as I was desperate to know what happened.

The only thing I didn't like is the way the book ended as it seemed to cut short. I am hoping that this means there will be an equally superb sequel as I really want to sees what happens next (in his life or beyond) with Daniel and Lucy.

To sum up a fantastic book, beautifully written, totally engaging with an intelligent and gorgeous storyline.

Comments

Unknown said…
I agree about the ending. The book felt incomplete. I really did not get on with this at all but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I felt that the book was just too slow and convulted.
I adored everything about this book and like you I could have chucked the book against the wall at the end. Apparently it is going to be a trilogy and the film rights have been optioned *cheers*
Caroline said…
I'm with Becky on that one, I would have prefered the book to be a stand alone and to be complete. I'm not liking the fact that it will be turned in a trilogy, the love story didn't need that!
Though I thought the writing was beautiful and I liked the sense of history and reincarnation there was!
It's great that you enjoyed it so much!
Sounds like a good one, I look forward to it :) (sometime this month, I really must!)