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heather626's review
5.0
The Memory Collectors by Kim Neville is an amazing book. I had not read any reviews about this book before I started. I had no idea in what I was in for. Evelyn has a special ability to sense the feelings left behind on objects we own; both good and bad. She meets up with Harriet, a hoarder, who wants to make all of her treasures in to a beautiful museum of sorts. You learn of everyone's past and where their lives have taken them.
Neville introduces you to all sorts of interesting characters as you learn about Evelyn and Harriet's past.
I loved The Memory Collectors. It definitely makes me thing about my own vintage finds and what interesting lives they have already lived. Kim Neville's writing is easy to follow and flows very nicely. The chapters are a nice length, nothing to terribly long. I will definitely be looking for more works by her and will be recommending this book to others. Special thanks to NetGalley, Kim Neville, and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Neville introduces you to all sorts of interesting characters as you learn about Evelyn and Harriet's past.
I loved The Memory Collectors. It definitely makes me thing about my own vintage finds and what interesting lives they have already lived. Kim Neville's writing is easy to follow and flows very nicely. The chapters are a nice length, nothing to terribly long. I will definitely be looking for more works by her and will be recommending this book to others. Special thanks to NetGalley, Kim Neville, and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
harrowhcrk's review
3.0
**thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What if our emotions left behind something on the things we touch—and what if someone could sense those leftover emotions? Ev has always viewed her gift as more of a curse, something to avoid. But then she meets Harriet, someone who shares her gift, and realizes she’s not alone.
This book is, more than anything, a story of growth. Every character is complicated and complex, with all their negative traits just as clear as their positive ones. Watching Ev grow throughout the story was inspiring and heartwarming and felt very real. I’ve never read a book like this before. The unique premise drew me in from the beginning, and I was not let down. Magical realism isn’t a genre I’m particularly familiar with, and yet many of the themes in this book were right up my alley.
My only complaint is that, for the most part, there’s not any big overarching conflict. In some ways, I loved this, I loved how the characters were at the forefront of the story and when I hit the climax of the story I was holding my breath the whole time. It made this an easy read, but I’ve always preferred something a little more fast-paced—I suppose it all comes down to personal preference.
Overall, The Memory Collectors is a creative piece of magical realism and an excellent choice for an easy read.
What if our emotions left behind something on the things we touch—and what if someone could sense those leftover emotions? Ev has always viewed her gift as more of a curse, something to avoid. But then she meets Harriet, someone who shares her gift, and realizes she’s not alone.
This book is, more than anything, a story of growth. Every character is complicated and complex, with all their negative traits just as clear as their positive ones. Watching Ev grow throughout the story was inspiring and heartwarming and felt very real. I’ve never read a book like this before. The unique premise drew me in from the beginning, and I was not let down. Magical realism isn’t a genre I’m particularly familiar with, and yet many of the themes in this book were right up my alley.
My only complaint is that, for the most part, there’s not any big overarching conflict. In some ways, I loved this, I loved how the characters were at the forefront of the story and when I hit the climax of the story I was holding my breath the whole time. It made this an easy read, but I’ve always preferred something a little more fast-paced—I suppose it all comes down to personal preference.
Overall, The Memory Collectors is a creative piece of magical realism and an excellent choice for an easy read.
sbojo32's review
2.0
I really wanted to like this book but it was just too much. So much description of various objects and not enough character development. There were gaping plot holes and storylines that were brought up and then discarded. It seemed a bit disjointed - they were working on a museum (The Dragon) and then that got forgotten for the last third of the book until the end.
Ev took sailing lessons and some possibly interesting characters were included... and then that storyline went way (save for a brief mention). There was so much more that could have been done with Noemi and just wasn't.
Overall this was a disappointment.
Ev took sailing lessons and some possibly interesting characters were included... and then that storyline went way (save for a brief mention). There was so much more that could have been done with Noemi and just wasn't.
Overall this was a disappointment.
holdenprobably's review
5.0
This book is delicious.
(real review coming soon but I truly have been waiting to hold this book - my auntie’s debut novel - in my hands for my whole life)
(real review coming soon but I truly have been waiting to hold this book - my auntie’s debut novel - in my hands for my whole life)
naphoeleon's review
3.0
**thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
What if our emotions left behind something on the things we touch—and what if someone could sense those leftover emotions? Ev has always viewed her gift as more of a curse, something to avoid. But then she meets Harriet, someone who shares her gift, and realizes she’s not alone.
This book is, more than anything, a story of growth. Every character is complicated and complex, with all their negative traits just as clear as their positive ones. Watching Ev grow throughout the story was inspiring and heartwarming and felt very real. I’ve never read a book like this before. The unique premise drew me in from the beginning, and I was not let down. Magical realism isn’t a genre I’m particularly familiar with, and yet many of the themes in this book were right up my alley.
My only complaint is that, for the most part, there’s not any big overarching conflict. In some ways, I loved this, I loved how the characters were at the forefront of the story and when I hit the climax of the story I was holding my breath the whole time. It made this an easy read, but I’ve always preferred something a little more fast-paced—I suppose it all comes down to personal preference.
Overall, The Memory Collectors is a creative piece of magical realism and an excellent choice for an easy read.
What if our emotions left behind something on the things we touch—and what if someone could sense those leftover emotions? Ev has always viewed her gift as more of a curse, something to avoid. But then she meets Harriet, someone who shares her gift, and realizes she’s not alone.
This book is, more than anything, a story of growth. Every character is complicated and complex, with all their negative traits just as clear as their positive ones. Watching Ev grow throughout the story was inspiring and heartwarming and felt very real. I’ve never read a book like this before. The unique premise drew me in from the beginning, and I was not let down. Magical realism isn’t a genre I’m particularly familiar with, and yet many of the themes in this book were right up my alley.
My only complaint is that, for the most part, there’s not any big overarching conflict. In some ways, I loved this, I loved how the characters were at the forefront of the story and when I hit the climax of the story I was holding my breath the whole time. It made this an easy read, but I’ve always preferred something a little more fast-paced—I suppose it all comes down to personal preference.
Overall, The Memory Collectors is a creative piece of magical realism and an excellent choice for an easy read.
jennrobyn's review
4.0
Okay ya. This book was great! Fans of magical realism will want to read this one when it releases March 16. Bonus points if you live in Canada and/or have been to Vancouver, where the book takes place. It was SO cool to read about one of my favourite cities and be able to know exactly what Neville was talking about when she mentioned landmarks an different areas of the city.
With a delightful cast of characters trying to help one another to heal and find closure after tragic losses, The Memory Collectors was like nothing I’ve read before. And it made me ponder how much meaning objects, that others left behind, might impact my life and the way that I feel
With a delightful cast of characters trying to help one another to heal and find closure after tragic losses, The Memory Collectors was like nothing I’ve read before. And it made me ponder how much meaning objects, that others left behind, might impact my life and the way that I feel
bittie_bee's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
3.5
alidavignon's review
3.0
It was good and fun. There were magical powers and interesting people. Sort of chaotic but not necessarily in a bad way
andreanourse's review
4.0
(thank you @atriabooks for the free book)
I loved how the entire story was woven together and how the characters developed over the course of the book. I’m not sure I’ve read anything like this book before.
Evelyn and Harriet both carried their secrets and pain while also carrying the strong emotions of others. The bright objects and stains give them a way to hide from their painful histories.
It did take me a bit to get into the story but once I did, I was hooked.
I loved how the entire story was woven together and how the characters developed over the course of the book. I’m not sure I’ve read anything like this book before.
Evelyn and Harriet both carried their secrets and pain while also carrying the strong emotions of others. The bright objects and stains give them a way to hide from their painful histories.
It did take me a bit to get into the story but once I did, I was hooked.