The Memory Book by Rowan Coleman

Started: 31st December 2018
Completed: 4th January 2019
Published: 30th January 2014

Claire was a teenage mum, who decided not to tell the father when she became pregnant, and to bring up the baby alone with the aid of her parents. When her daughter Caitlin is 15 she has some building work done and she and the builder, Greg, fall in love and get married - she has finally found ‘the one’. They have another daughter, Esther and she finally feels content.

Unfortunately when Esther is 3, she starts to realise that she has Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease like her father had. Her mother Ruth moves in to look after her and Esther, as her husband Greg has to work.

As Claire’s brain dies, the things she doesn’t remember increase, and the times she slips into a confused state last longer and longer. When she can remember things, she often tries to do too much.

The story is told from different perspectives. Hers, her mum’s, Caitlin’s and so on. You learn Caitlin has her own problems and doesn’t feel able to go to her mum for help. As Claire forgets her husband Greg, things become increasingly strained at home as Claire feels she is living with a stranger. They start a Memory Book in order to help Claire stay in the present and try to remember things.

I found the story line very troubling, and as a woman of a certain age, you find yourself wondering if you are just forgetful or whether it’s more ominous!

Fantastic book but quite hard to read, emotionally, in places due to the story line.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Memory-Book-feel-good-uplifting-story-ebook/dp/B00FM12KSC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546793093&sr=8-1&keywords=the+memory+book+Rowan

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