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caterina_1212's review
Compelling enough idea, I wanted to be into it more. It was like the going back and forth in time wasn't showing me any of the key interesting parts.
candicelouise's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
It felt like a preface to a larger series. Or it felt like the pilot to a show. Or it felt like an episode of black mirror where there are so many things unsaid you feel like you need to decide the implications yourself. I'm left enthralled by the world created and the thoughts provoked. But, I am left wanting more and unfulfilled in the whole story. Maybe that is the whole point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
k_lew's review
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review
4.0
At first I wasn't sure whether this novel was going to grab me, but then, it did. The premise is intriguing: there's a new drug developed for people with Alzheimer's that captures people's memories and then delivers them to those same people in pill form. Naturally, the drug is craved by people who want to delve into the lives of others.
Lucien's recent loss of his mother leads him to take his grandmother's pills, so he can remember his mother as his grandmother does. Sophie has someone else's memories forced on her by a manipulator who plays with the drug. Both find themselves at the Center, where a questionable psychiatrist helps people reject other's memories and regain their own.
By far the most compelling parts of the novel are Lucien's memories as his grandmother Florence, as he lives her life filled with surprises he never knew about. Sophie's story is grittier but less satisfying. There's a partially developed tangent about the doctor's entry into her daughter's memories that has the possibility of exploring the manipulative side of these drugs, but it is not fleshed out.
The exploration of someone else's memories could be a cluttered mess, but Meredith Westgate keeps them crisp and enthralling. She's a good writer and I look forward to where her imagination takes her--and us--next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this title in exchange for an honest review~
Lucien's recent loss of his mother leads him to take his grandmother's pills, so he can remember his mother as his grandmother does. Sophie has someone else's memories forced on her by a manipulator who plays with the drug. Both find themselves at the Center, where a questionable psychiatrist helps people reject other's memories and regain their own.
By far the most compelling parts of the novel are Lucien's memories as his grandmother Florence, as he lives her life filled with surprises he never knew about. Sophie's story is grittier but less satisfying. There's a partially developed tangent about the doctor's entry into her daughter's memories that has the possibility of exploring the manipulative side of these drugs, but it is not fleshed out.
The exploration of someone else's memories could be a cluttered mess, but Meredith Westgate keeps them crisp and enthralling. She's a good writer and I look forward to where her imagination takes her--and us--next.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this title in exchange for an honest review~
friya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
"how strange, to have faith in what you cannot remember; to have no choice but to trust some consistency of self."
raegold's review
3.0
This is a hard one for me to review. I like the premise - a story about addiction to a new memory drug - but it was just a little flat. Lucien and Sophie are both recovering from addiction. We learn about their “before” addiction, and them trying to piece together life after treatment. I think the thing missing was their relationship. But maybe that was intentional, since their memories were altered?
the_spines's review
3.0
The middle of this book was really good, but the end lost me a bit. Needed to be a little more clear about how "Mem" works.
l14nn3's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this book on a whim when it was available in my library's app and I'm so glad I read it!
It's beautiful. Sort of like Limitless with this future drug thing, but more parallels drawn between dance, photography, painting, writing, filmmaking, and other arts. It feels sort of like they're tracing the motions of these arts with lyrical writing and a sweet story.
It's beautiful. Sort of like Limitless with this future drug thing, but more parallels drawn between dance, photography, painting, writing, filmmaking, and other arts. It feels sort of like they're tracing the motions of these arts with lyrical writing and a sweet story.
mthobe27's review
4.0
Interesting concept around seeing life through other people’s eyes and how their memories could affect your life. A little slow in parts, and I wish certain story lines peaked sooner but well written and thought provoking story.