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car155a's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kizzabell's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
baggirlreads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. Honestly this book had me HOOKED! It still took me a few days, but I read the last half of it in one day. There wasn't anything special about the writing, but the plot was just too good to not give it 4 stars. The characters were very human; definitely annoying at times. I felt the happiness and sadness with the book, which is very important to me in a good book! The ability to make me feel...
As I was reading it, I didn't think I would like it - I didn't WANT to like it. I was picking out things that would bother me, but I just couldn't stop reading it. At first it really bothered me that I was getting two stories at once, one in 2019 from the perspectives of Jenny and Candice, and one in 1940 from Jenny's perspective. Eventually I got hooked on both stories and I wanted to see how each ended! I maybe would have preferred a more singular story, but I enjoyed both very much so that's not as much of a critique as I thought it would have been when I started the book.
Lastly, I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but the plot twists really shocked me! I know I definitely could have predicted the one if I had a better memory for details, but my jaw actually dropped at the twists; they were so unexpected!
Overall, it was a very compelling story with realistic characters and lots of emotional scenes and plot twists. Definitely recommend :)
As I was reading it, I didn't think I would like it - I didn't WANT to like it. I was picking out things that would bother me, but I just couldn't stop reading it. At first it really bothered me that I was getting two stories at once, one in 2019 from the perspectives of Jenny and Candice, and one in 1940 from Jenny's perspective. Eventually I got hooked on both stories and I wanted to see how each ended! I maybe would have preferred a more singular story, but I enjoyed both very much so that's not as much of a critique as I thought it would have been when I started the book.
Lastly, I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but the plot twists really shocked me! I know I definitely could have predicted the one if I had a better memory for details, but my jaw actually dropped at the twists; they were so unexpected!
Overall, it was a very compelling story with realistic characters and lots of emotional scenes and plot twists. Definitely recommend :)
imme2461's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!
Lifetimes are often created by patterns. Patterns that can and do change as is shown in this beautiful story. The beautiful, the good, the bad, the ugly all intermingle as so wonderfully portrayed in both Jenny's and Candice's stories. The "Memory Box" by Kathryn Hughes amazes and shocks as the lives of two women, almost a hundred years apart, enfold in this novel. Memories of the past and the present combine to create the future. Sharing the memories is a gift this writer gives to the reader in this heartwarming book.
Lifetimes are often created by patterns. Patterns that can and do change as is shown in this beautiful story. The beautiful, the good, the bad, the ugly all intermingle as so wonderfully portrayed in both Jenny's and Candice's stories. The "Memory Box" by Kathryn Hughes amazes and shocks as the lives of two women, almost a hundred years apart, enfold in this novel. Memories of the past and the present combine to create the future. Sharing the memories is a gift this writer gives to the reader in this heartwarming book.
ruby_99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
beckys_book_blog's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in just over a day (which is very fast for me!) It gripped me from the very beginning and I couldn't put it down.
Jenny has just reached 100 years old and is in a care home. She forms a connection with a young carer called Candice who works there and she gradually shares her story with her (through her memory box). This begins at the start of World War Two when she is in her twenties. The story is dual time frame and moves between the present (2019) and Jenny's life through the War starting in Wales and then in Italy.
Candice has her own struggles in the present with her overly controlling and toxic boyfriend. Together they travel to Italy for a commemorative trip.
I loved the two main characters and slowly becoming immersed in each of their lives. There was certainly a lot of turmoil and a few big secrets in Jenny's life. Some of the memories were heart wrenching and there were a few big twists that I didn't see coming at all. I equally enjoyed reading about Candice's life in the present and I was really rooting for her to achieve her life ambitions and get her life back on track.
An emotional and beautifully written story which I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
Jenny has just reached 100 years old and is in a care home. She forms a connection with a young carer called Candice who works there and she gradually shares her story with her (through her memory box). This begins at the start of World War Two when she is in her twenties. The story is dual time frame and moves between the present (2019) and Jenny's life through the War starting in Wales and then in Italy.
Candice has her own struggles in the present with her overly controlling and toxic boyfriend. Together they travel to Italy for a commemorative trip.
I loved the two main characters and slowly becoming immersed in each of their lives. There was certainly a lot of turmoil and a few big secrets in Jenny's life. Some of the memories were heart wrenching and there were a few big twists that I didn't see coming at all. I equally enjoyed reading about Candice's life in the present and I was really rooting for her to achieve her life ambitions and get her life back on track.
An emotional and beautifully written story which I would definitely recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley for this advanced reading copy.
seaswift14's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
themaxdog's review
3.0
Full review now up on the blog: https://www.thewritinggreyhound.co.uk/2021/11/book-review-memory-box-kathryn-hughes.html
Emotional and packed full of twists and turns, The Memory Box is a timeless story set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
This is a timeslip novel, told in two parts. First and foremost is Jenny's story. She is a 100-year-old lady living in a retirement home, determined to finally set the ghosts of her past free. To do so, Jenny takes a trip to Italy to confront her past and finally seek some answers. Her young carer, Candice, accompanies her.
Candice is an aspiring beautician, working in the care home where Jenny lives to try and make ends meet. She's living with her boyfriend Beau, yet trouble is brewing under the surface of their relationship. Will the Italian holiday bring about change for both women?
Both Jenny and Candice are strong women and interesting, multi-faceted characters. Jenny has so many tales to tell - not surprising, given her age! Candice is hardworking and determined, yet always makes time for Jenny and the other residents.
As Jenny begins to recount her past to Candice, both get drawn into the secrets of the past. It's a twisty journey with plenty of surprises; at times sweet, at others heartbreaking.
The story is beautifully written, with poignant prose and some great descriptions. The characters are full of life and just jump off the page. In fact, the book finished far too soon. I'd love to read more about these characters!
The Memory Box is an enjoyable read and an emotional rollercoaster of a story!
Emotional and packed full of twists and turns, The Memory Box is a timeless story set against the backdrop of the Second World War.
This is a timeslip novel, told in two parts. First and foremost is Jenny's story. She is a 100-year-old lady living in a retirement home, determined to finally set the ghosts of her past free. To do so, Jenny takes a trip to Italy to confront her past and finally seek some answers. Her young carer, Candice, accompanies her.
Candice is an aspiring beautician, working in the care home where Jenny lives to try and make ends meet. She's living with her boyfriend Beau, yet trouble is brewing under the surface of their relationship. Will the Italian holiday bring about change for both women?
Both Jenny and Candice are strong women and interesting, multi-faceted characters. Jenny has so many tales to tell - not surprising, given her age! Candice is hardworking and determined, yet always makes time for Jenny and the other residents.
As Jenny begins to recount her past to Candice, both get drawn into the secrets of the past. It's a twisty journey with plenty of surprises; at times sweet, at others heartbreaking.
The story is beautifully written, with poignant prose and some great descriptions. The characters are full of life and just jump off the page. In fact, the book finished far too soon. I'd love to read more about these characters!
The Memory Box is an enjoyable read and an emotional rollercoaster of a story!
natalier3's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, new author for me here!
This book intrigued me, and I am huge fan of the dual timeline narrative, so I was so excited to get approved on NetGalley. A few weeks ago, I was casually browing my Goodreads books when I saw that Hughes is from Altrincham, my hometown! I sent her a Tweet and we had a great chat about growing up there.
I felt this book calling me, so I started it earlier than I had planned, but I got hooked in straight away. Jenny, the 100 year old woman with a difficult past, also walked with a limp and used a crutch like myself so I definitely identified with this character! She was superbly written, as were the others. I have to say it, Beau made my blood boil throughout and I can't think of a less appropriate name for him than Beau!
The dual timeline was executed very well, with the characters and timelines well defined so there was no confusion about when events took place.
I have to say, there wasn't as much of a mention of the actual memory box until later in the book, but the twist at the end made me gasp!
I loved this book and would recommend it to historical fiction fans and those who like dual timeline narratives.
This book intrigued me, and I am huge fan of the dual timeline narrative, so I was so excited to get approved on NetGalley. A few weeks ago, I was casually browing my Goodreads books when I saw that Hughes is from Altrincham, my hometown! I sent her a Tweet and we had a great chat about growing up there.
I felt this book calling me, so I started it earlier than I had planned, but I got hooked in straight away. Jenny, the 100 year old woman with a difficult past, also walked with a limp and used a crutch like myself so I definitely identified with this character! She was superbly written, as were the others. I have to say it, Beau made my blood boil throughout and I can't think of a less appropriate name for him than Beau!
The dual timeline was executed very well, with the characters and timelines well defined so there was no confusion about when events took place.
I have to say, there wasn't as much of a mention of the actual memory box until later in the book, but the twist at the end made me gasp!
I loved this book and would recommend it to historical fiction fans and those who like dual timeline narratives.
megs2kool's review
3.0
While the premise of the book was exciting and I was looking forward to reading it, the whole thing just seemed a bit dry to me. I couldn't really connect with the characters all that well, and some of the language/wording it used would take me out of my "reading zone" to have to think about what that word could mean. It made falling into my reading pattern difficult. Plus, most of the "big reveals" were not all that surprising to me. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.