Reviews with content warning for Miscarriage - The Things We Keep

It's official. I will not rest until everyone I know has read at least one book by Sally Hepworth! This one is my new favorite of hers. If you want a story to tug at your heart, this is the one for you.

The Things We Keep follows the story of a 38-year-old woman named Anna who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's and has been placed in an assisted living home. There she meets a man named Luke who has Frontotemporal Dementia.. and it's believed that they fall in love. We are also introduced to Eve, the cook at the home, and her daughter, Clementine, who have their own story weaved in as well. The story follows a dual timeline as well as the multiple POVs of Anna, Eve, and Clementine.

This story is, as People magazine put it, "devastatingly beautiful." Sally just writes characters so well. I really feel like I'm doing life with these people and able to empathize with them.

Some things I loved about this one:
- Anna's persistence to hold onto the one thing that brought her joy in a life that was slowly slipping away.
- Luke's positive outlook on life, despite knowing he would soon forget.
- Eve's heart to do whatever it takes to help Anna and Luke be together.
- Clementine's desperation to understand what's going on around her, her boldness, and her character as a whole.
- Being able to see Alzheimer's from the perspective of the one who has the disease as well as the friends and family members who must endure it with their loved ones.
- The idea that love may find a pathway other than memory. That it's still possible for love to find a way, even if we forget.
- The reminder to see the person and not the disease.
- The way that Sally isn't afraid to go there.

I can't say enough good things about this book and every single book I've read by Sally thus far. I am still baffled at how it's possible for me to be able to connect with each and every character and story she writes in some way.

If I haven't already convinced to read this book, I'll leave you with this quote:

“When you get to my age,' he says, his face softening, 'you don't waste time with regrets. In the end, you just remember the moments of joy. When all is said and done, those are the things we keep.”

Content Warnings

lisasilv's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What a lovely, thoughtful, well written story. There is enough variety in the voices (one per chapter) to keep things interesting but not so much as to confuse the reader. The story touches on some tough issues and does so incredibly well. So glad to have picked this as my first read of 2023.

Content Warnings

katiescott's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

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