My Name Is Memory by
Ann Brashares
My rating:
5 of 5 stars
Title: My Name Is Memory
Author: Ann Brashares
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Tagline: "Sometimes love lasts more than a lifetime."
Publisher: Riverhead Hardcover (June 2010)
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN: 9781594487583
Source: Library
Available on: Amazon
Rating: 5/5
Plot: 18/20
Setting: 17/20
Writing: 19/20
Characters: 17/20
Creativity: 20/20
Total: 91/100 = 5 of 5 stars
Description:
From the New York Times-bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Last Summer (of You and Me) comes an imaginative, inspired, magical book-a love story that lasts more than a lifetime.
Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together, and he remembers it all. Daniel has "the memory", the ability to recall past lives and recognize souls of those he's previously known. It is a gift and a curse. For all the times that he and Sophia have been drawn together throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. A love always too short.
Interwoven through Sophia and Daniel's unfolding present day relationship are glimpses of their expansive history together. From 552 Asia Minor to 1918 England and 1972 Virginia, the two souls share a long and sometimes torturous path of seeking each other time and time again. But just when young Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally begins to awaken to the secret of their shared past, to understand the true reason for the strength of their attraction, the mysterious force that has always torn them apart reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.
A magical, suspenseful, heartbreaking story of true love, My Name is Memory proves the power and endurance of a union that was meant to be.
Plot: Good: This is a story of love, vengeance, guilt, and fear. Daniel feels guilty because he killed the woman he loves and is scared to lose her again. Joaquim wants retribution against his brother for getting in his way. Lucy is scared because she doesn't understand the love she feels for Daniel.
Bad: The ending of this story bothered me, it was just too much of a cliff hanger. I also don't understand why Daniel loves Sophia/Lucy. Daniel had already made up his mind that he loved her even before he knew her. Does he love her because she is beautiful and he feels guilty that he killed her?
Setting: Good: Ann Brashares does a great job in taking us to different times and places without losing us along the way.
Bad: I would have liked more description of the locations and a better view of their life in those times.
Writing: Good: It is beautifully written with a believable voice.
Bad: A bit more of humor or lightness would have been good, I felt depressed, worried or scared for most of the book.
Characters: Good: I really like the mysterious character of Ben and the way he deals with his "memory". Ben adds a nice contrast to the way Daniel deals with his.
Bad: I don't really understand the reason behind Joaquim's hatred towards Daniel. I like to know the reasons behind the actions of my characters and him I just don't fully understand. Daniel's lack of action also bothered me but I guess the story would have ended in the first chapters if he was more proactive.
Creativity: Good: The way reincarnation and soul-mates are portrayed in this book is unlike anything I have read.
Bad: None, I love the originality of this story.
EXTRAS
Cover Art: I don't love the cover. The water concept is nice because it ties to the story but it just doesn't grab my attention.
Action: Most of the story is calm and reflective, it isn't until close to the end when it becomes action packed and then it ends.
Romance: If you like the concept of soul-mates then this is the book for you.
Overall: I recommend this book and I can't wait until the second in this series.
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