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jula94's review
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
natsomji's review against another edition
4.0
For an author to write from the perspective of so many diverse characters and perceptions is a feat; to do so while feeling like you can relate to each character personally is truly beautiful. Although I'm lucky enough to not have known what living in a conflict / post conflict environment is like, the emotion conveyed from this book leaves the reader feeling the same pain, hollowness, sadness, joy and hope that surrounds each character. Such an intricate weaving of so many lives, pasts and presents as well as so many moral dilemmas to ponder over, this one is really one of those books that stays with you.
melloves2read's review against another edition
3.0
Good writing but I felt she took on too many stories. They came together at the end, but there was too much lead up to it.
mergwenthur's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow! This book was amazing, I was expecting it to be some sort of love/yearning story of perhaps boy-tries-to-win-girl but it was so much more than that !!
I read the lives of multiple people and witnessed how they are interlocked with one another. Towards the end of the book I struggled to put it down!
When I read the parts on the connections it shocked me as I wasn't expecting that at all!
This was written so beautifully. The author told the story without saying it directly.
Would definitely recommend.
I read the lives of multiple people and witnessed how they are interlocked with one another. Towards the end of the book I struggled to put it down!
When I read the parts on the connections it shocked me as I wasn't expecting that at all!
This was written so beautifully. The author told the story without saying it directly.
Would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, War, Violence, Pregnancy, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Death, Blood, Torture, Sexual assault, and Medical content
fizreads's review against another edition
5.0
See this review and others on my blog:https://fizwrites.wixsite.com/website/post/the-memory-of-love-book-review
I was actually intimidated to pick up this novel because I have had this on my shelf since early last year but I have only just picked it up. But there was nothing to be intimidated about because it has quickly became a book I love.
I think out of everything, it is the writing that is absolutely stunning. It is a book set in Sierra Leone in the late 1960’s and it’s set in the backdrop of civil war and the postcolonial struggles that society was adjusting too.
The only issue I had with this novel was probably the point of views. I can see why the point of views were necessary for the plot but I would have preferred had it been just Elias and Adrian’s- I don’t think Kai’s was really necessary. Honestly I would have loved seeing a point of view from the women, specifically Saffia’s because women were central to the plot and narrative and the fact we had a lack of a women’s voice kind of disappointed me.
The novel itself was written so beautifully we have this main story which has a story within it and I love those types of narratives. It is a tale of obsession, of love, of betrayal that is so effortlessly juxtaposed and it is just so beautiful but so depressing at the same time. If ever the government look into de-colonising the curriculum this novel is amazing to have as a set text. Not only are the themes and issues are important and timely but the analysis you can get out from it is truly just astonishing, as I was reading I kept on thinking about analysis and themes and how they interweave, it was my literary geekiness coming out. Especially those harmattan lilies- if you read this book you know what I am talking about.
The storyline is written so intricately that such a small detail or memory, event is vital for the plot. There is so much in this book it explores betrayal, loss, and of course love. It explores post traumatic stress and the dangers of it. I would highly recommend this novel! 4.85 rounded up.
This novel was also picked for the Jubilee read in which they celebrate great books across the Commonwealth. See the full list here-https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Ynpj933DJ2YG5nsMS6fn8k/a-literary-celebration-of-queen-elizabeth-iis-record-breaking-reign
Favourite quotes-
'Beginnings are so hard to trace. Perhaps we three would each put the beginning in a different place, like blindfolded players trying to pin the tail on a donkey'.
'And when he wakes from dreaming of her, is it not the same for him? The hollowness in his chest, the tense yearning, the loneliness he braces against every morning until he can immerse himself in work and forget. Not love. Something else, something with a power that endures. Not love, but a memory of love'.
'There is a quality to grief, I know. Like the first rains after the dry seasons. At first it fails, slides off the soil, rolling away in the dust of disbelief. But each day brings fresh rain'.
'I knew how much pain she suffered. I also knew she would survive. For in the end, people always do'.
'The more education a person has recieved, the more capable of articulating their experiences they are. Also of intellectualising them, of course. Those with less education tend to express their conflicts physically through violence or psychosomatically: deafness, blindness, muteness, paralysis, hallucinations - visual and olfactory'.
I was actually intimidated to pick up this novel because I have had this on my shelf since early last year but I have only just picked it up. But there was nothing to be intimidated about because it has quickly became a book I love.
I think out of everything, it is the writing that is absolutely stunning. It is a book set in Sierra Leone in the late 1960’s and it’s set in the backdrop of civil war and the postcolonial struggles that society was adjusting too.
The only issue I had with this novel was probably the point of views. I can see why the point of views were necessary for the plot but I would have preferred had it been just Elias and Adrian’s- I don’t think Kai’s was really necessary. Honestly I would have loved seeing a point of view from the women, specifically Saffia’s because women were central to the plot and narrative and the fact we had a lack of a women’s voice kind of disappointed me.
The novel itself was written so beautifully we have this main story which has a story within it and I love those types of narratives. It is a tale of obsession, of love, of betrayal that is so effortlessly juxtaposed and it is just so beautiful but so depressing at the same time. If ever the government look into de-colonising the curriculum this novel is amazing to have as a set text. Not only are the themes and issues are important and timely but the analysis you can get out from it is truly just astonishing, as I was reading I kept on thinking about analysis and themes and how they interweave, it was my literary geekiness coming out. Especially those harmattan lilies- if you read this book you know what I am talking about.
The storyline is written so intricately that such a small detail or memory, event is vital for the plot. There is so much in this book it explores betrayal, loss, and of course love. It explores post traumatic stress and the dangers of it. I would highly recommend this novel! 4.85 rounded up.
This novel was also picked for the Jubilee read in which they celebrate great books across the Commonwealth. See the full list here-https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2Ynpj933DJ2YG5nsMS6fn8k/a-literary-celebration-of-queen-elizabeth-iis-record-breaking-reign
Favourite quotes-
'Beginnings are so hard to trace. Perhaps we three would each put the beginning in a different place, like blindfolded players trying to pin the tail on a donkey'.
'And when he wakes from dreaming of her, is it not the same for him? The hollowness in his chest, the tense yearning, the loneliness he braces against every morning until he can immerse himself in work and forget. Not love. Something else, something with a power that endures. Not love, but a memory of love'.
'There is a quality to grief, I know. Like the first rains after the dry seasons. At first it fails, slides off the soil, rolling away in the dust of disbelief. But each day brings fresh rain'.
'I knew how much pain she suffered. I also knew she would survive. For in the end, people always do'.
'The more education a person has recieved, the more capable of articulating their experiences they are. Also of intellectualising them, of course. Those with less education tend to express their conflicts physically through violence or psychosomatically: deafness, blindness, muteness, paralysis, hallucinations - visual and olfactory'.
herondaleducks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
So I'll start by saying that the writing of this book is beautiful, well crafted and lovely to read. It's incredibly well researched, and it vividly captured the essence of Sierra Leone. Granted I didn't know much about the country before I finished this, but the characters and the atrocity of war that the author described was burned into my brain. I found myself reading about it on Google afterwards.
I always think that is the sign of a good book, when you can't stop thinking about it after you've finished. I'm in awe and think this will be one of my most memorable reads of 2022.
There is a reason this isn't 5 stars, the main character Elias Cole who fills most of the initial 100 pages before we get to know other characters properly, is vile.
I understand why the author has developed him so, it is important to the story line, but I almost DNF'd at 50 pages because I couldn't stand him. AT ALL.
I need to rant about this, but I am infuriated that he couldn't accept responsibility in part for Julius death (I loved Julius, he was magnificent), I was appalled at the insidious way he pursued Saffia, and then to have a mistress at the end after all of that, it was outrageous. He was a deeply unlikable character, and I know it was a device to show the cowardly people in war who are inadvertently responsible for awful crimes because they want to keep themselves safe, but erghhhh.
Kai was sublime, my heart broke for him, loved him, I lived for his chapters and thoughts and feelings.
I was a bit meh about Adrian especially when the stupid plot device about a character with 2 names came to fruition, I totally saw it coming, however how, HOW, could Adrian say he was in love with Mamakay and then abandon his bloody child in another country and pretend they don't exist. Poor Kai, dumped with the unloved children, losing the love of his life, experiencing the most traumatic scene I have read in a long time, absolutely horrific war crimes.
I guess all my ranting, it just demonstrates how well written this is, that I was so completely emotionally invested. Please give it time, get past the first 100 pages, swallow your hate of Elias Cole, keep going. It is completely and utterly worth your time!
I always think that is the sign of a good book, when you can't stop thinking about it after you've finished. I'm in awe and think this will be one of my most memorable reads of 2022.
There is a reason this isn't 5 stars, the main character Elias Cole who fills most of the initial 100 pages before we get to know other characters properly, is vile.
I understand why the author has developed him so, it is important to the story line, but I almost DNF'd at 50 pages because I couldn't stand him. AT ALL.
Kai was sublime, my heart broke for him, loved him, I lived for his chapters and thoughts and feelings.
I was a bit meh about Adrian
I guess all my ranting, it just demonstrates how well written this is, that I was so completely emotionally invested. Please give it time, get past the first 100 pages, swallow your hate of Elias Cole, keep going. It is completely and utterly worth your time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Rape, Alcohol, Genocide, and Gun violence
crescentpages's review
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
franfernandezarce's review against another edition
3.0
in Aminatta Forna's novel, love is defined by the sense of loss it creates once it's gone. by framing its affective core around the aftershocks of relationships (what love leaves behind), the story creates a sense of foreboding and expectation for the next thing to come over the present situation of its characters. once that which has been expected does happen, the waiting period has rendered the possibility of a plot twist mute. one wishes Forna would concentrate more on the exultation of her prose--at times, truly beautiful--than in planting seeds for coming plot twists that feel undeserved, if not unnecessary.
using Sierra Leone's civil war to situate three different points of view, never taking the reader by the hand to carefully explain the political ramifications of the conflict unless they directly affect a character's story, The Memory of Love is deeply tethered by its main characters' memories and inner thoughts in a way that it can establish three distinctive voices without confusion. it never quite discloses everything it might do--a clear narrative stance stemmed from its discussion on PTSD and trauma. Sierra Leone is a deeply traumatised country, one character asserts while another does everything possible to feel grateful for having merely survived, the past being the past, the loss of the life that once was inevitable.
there are no judgement calls in Forna's writing. the tension added to her narrative devices luckily not extending towards the novel's core. trauma is something one lives with just as love is nothing but the possibility of losing something precious.
using Sierra Leone's civil war to situate three different points of view, never taking the reader by the hand to carefully explain the political ramifications of the conflict unless they directly affect a character's story, The Memory of Love is deeply tethered by its main characters' memories and inner thoughts in a way that it can establish three distinctive voices without confusion. it never quite discloses everything it might do--a clear narrative stance stemmed from its discussion on PTSD and trauma. Sierra Leone is a deeply traumatised country, one character asserts while another does everything possible to feel grateful for having merely survived, the past being the past, the loss of the life that once was inevitable.
there are no judgement calls in Forna's writing. the tension added to her narrative devices luckily not extending towards the novel's core. trauma is something one lives with just as love is nothing but the possibility of losing something precious.
potatodel's review against another edition
2.0
It probably took me way too much time to read it to appreciate this book in it’s own rights, but I could not go past my annoyance at Elias Coles’ attitude with Saffia. The sociological and historical background made me want to finish it, but I only cared about secondary characters in the story. I did enjoy the writing and I really liked to read on the medical context and the attitude towards psychiatrist in Sierra Leone.
I also have to say that the amount of research behind this book is very impressive, which probably worked in making the context so rich.
I also have to say that the amount of research behind this book is very impressive, which probably worked in making the context so rich.
kate_in_a_book's review against another edition
4.0
The story is set in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, post civil war, pre Ebola, so approximately when it was written (this book was published in 2010 so presumably written in about 2008). The civil war is a scar for the native characters, creating a distance that can never be breached by the primary non-native character, a white British doctor.
Adrian Lockheart is a psychologist on secondment to Sierra Leone. It is his second assignment to Africa, and he spends much of the novel dwelling on his reasons for being there. He has a wife and daughter back home in England, but his marriage is failing and over the years he has lost the feeling that he is actually helping his patients.
But at least at home he had patients. At first, his only regular patient in Freetown is a dying man. Elias Cole just needs someone to talk to and Adrian is happy to comply. The old man’s memories form a second thread through the novel. Cole tells the tale of how he met the love of his life, Saffia, who unfortunately for him was married to a colleague of his at the university. The story of his love begins in 1969, with the Apollo missions key early events. But slowly the reality of living in a military dictatorship intervenes, and the tale of Cole’s love for Saffia is inextricably linked with political and moral choices that Adrian doesn’t fully understand.
See my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2016/10/22/he-would-name-classify-and-diagnose-every-nuance-of-the-human-soul/
Adrian Lockheart is a psychologist on secondment to Sierra Leone. It is his second assignment to Africa, and he spends much of the novel dwelling on his reasons for being there. He has a wife and daughter back home in England, but his marriage is failing and over the years he has lost the feeling that he is actually helping his patients.
But at least at home he had patients. At first, his only regular patient in Freetown is a dying man. Elias Cole just needs someone to talk to and Adrian is happy to comply. The old man’s memories form a second thread through the novel. Cole tells the tale of how he met the love of his life, Saffia, who unfortunately for him was married to a colleague of his at the university. The story of his love begins in 1969, with the Apollo missions key early events. But slowly the reality of living in a military dictatorship intervenes, and the tale of Cole’s love for Saffia is inextricably linked with political and moral choices that Adrian doesn’t fully understand.
See my full review: http://www.noseinabook.co.uk/2016/10/22/he-would-name-classify-and-diagnose-every-nuance-of-the-human-soul/