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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.
leona_omahony's review against another edition
5.0
I have read and loved all of this authors previous books, so I was very excited for this one. Oh my word this was just an absolute gem of a read. I adored it. I loved the dual time line of this book and of heading about Jennys life as a young woman in the 1940’s. The characters were all wonderful and the author described them so well. I was completely taken by surprise at one point which I love in a book.
srivalli's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
One Liner: Effective in some ways.
Jenny is living at an elder care center and has just celebrated her 100th birthday. As her favorite caretaker Candice takes out an old wooden box from the drawers, Jenny feels the memories rushing in. She knows there’s something she needs to do, and that involves traveling to Italy.
Being a child of delicate health, it took persistence and grit for Jenny to outlive many others. She hopes for an additional couple of months to lay the past to rest. Jenny asks Candice to accompany her to Italy. It’s for physical support as well as to help Candice see the truth of her relationship with a douche bag manipulative jerk of a boyfriend Beau (eww!).
How will the trip to a place full of past events and memories help both women come to terms with their lives? Can Jenny find her peace? Can Candice force herself to see the truth she so desperately wants to ignore?
The Memory Box has a dual time is as smooth as butter. The story weaves in and out between the 1940s and 2019. The first-person narration by Jenny and the third-person narrative to show Candice’s life seamlessly blend across the chapters.
Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to shake Candice to make her see what everyone around her saw. There were enough red flags to supply for a global red-themed party, and still have some left to spare.
The book starts slow and picks up a little pace as the story moves ahead. The focus isn’t much on the setting but rather the thoughts of the characters. Jenny feels real with her strengths, flaws, and uncertainties. Candice, well, there are girls like her. I think the author drove her point straight in about toxic relationships using Candice and Beau.
The actual story takes place after 65-70% of the book. Things crucial to the book enter the picture and bring the threads together. I guessed all the twists except for one, and I must admit I’m not fully convinced about it. It works more as a plot device, IMO. Also, a couple of things were a tad too convenient. I do like happy endings, so I’m not complaining as such.
While Jenny’s arc was pretty much stable, Candice’s arc seemed confusing in the second half. I was pretty much fed up with her by then, or it would’ve annoyed me more. That girl could do with some solid dumping of sense into her brain.
The reason the book still has it rounded off to 4 stars is the portrayal of toxic love and gaslighting in relationships. It irked me to no end to see Candice make excuses and deny the truth, and that I would say is the biggest achievement. That part is very realistic.
To sum up, The Memory Box is not a must-read historical, but it has some valuable relationship lessons that can start a discussion.
Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheMemoryBox #NetGalley
One Liner: Effective in some ways.
Jenny is living at an elder care center and has just celebrated her 100th birthday. As her favorite caretaker Candice takes out an old wooden box from the drawers, Jenny feels the memories rushing in. She knows there’s something she needs to do, and that involves traveling to Italy.
Being a child of delicate health, it took persistence and grit for Jenny to outlive many others. She hopes for an additional couple of months to lay the past to rest. Jenny asks Candice to accompany her to Italy. It’s for physical support as well as to help Candice see the truth of her relationship with a douche bag manipulative jerk of a boyfriend Beau (eww!).
How will the trip to a place full of past events and memories help both women come to terms with their lives? Can Jenny find her peace? Can Candice force herself to see the truth she so desperately wants to ignore?
The Memory Box has a dual time is as smooth as butter. The story weaves in and out between the 1940s and 2019. The first-person narration by Jenny and the third-person narrative to show Candice’s life seamlessly blend across the chapters.
Can’t tell you how many times I wanted to shake Candice to make her see what everyone around her saw. There were enough red flags to supply for a global red-themed party, and still have some left to spare.
The book starts slow and picks up a little pace as the story moves ahead. The focus isn’t much on the setting but rather the thoughts of the characters. Jenny feels real with her strengths, flaws, and uncertainties. Candice, well, there are girls like her. I think the author drove her point straight in about toxic relationships using Candice and Beau.
The actual story takes place after 65-70% of the book. Things crucial to the book enter the picture and bring the threads together. I guessed all the twists except for one, and I must admit I’m not fully convinced about it. It works more as a plot device, IMO. Also, a couple of things were a tad too convenient. I do like happy endings, so I’m not complaining as such.
While Jenny’s arc was pretty much stable, Candice’s arc seemed confusing in the second half. I was pretty much fed up with her by then, or it would’ve annoyed me more. That girl could do with some solid dumping of sense into her brain.
The reason the book still has it rounded off to 4 stars is the portrayal of toxic love and gaslighting in relationships. It irked me to no end to see Candice make excuses and deny the truth, and that I would say is the biggest achievement. That part is very realistic.
To sum up, The Memory Box is not a must-read historical, but it has some valuable relationship lessons that can start a discussion.
Thank you, NetGalley, Mobius Books, and Headline Review, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
#TheMemoryBox #NetGalley
goosecreekgirl01's review against another edition
5.0
Kathryn Hughes books are amazing! I have read them all and they just keep getting better each time. This story had everything needed to make a story great, plus I love how the past always influences the present and everything comes full circle. Jenny had such a life story to tell Candice and there were so many revelations in the last part of the book, so surprising and I didn't see any of them coming. Then ending for Jenny, Louis and Candace was amazing! If you have never read Kathryn Hughes you should !! One of the best!! Thank you Netgalley for an ARC for my honest review!! An awesome story!!!!
claremabel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? No
4.0
yhtak's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
cliona160's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
leannedryburgh's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0