With one diagnosis, editor James Daniels learns that he's literally running out of time. Looking at his life, he sees one regret: Andy, the one that got away. Andy was the first man that James ever loved, but Andy has been gone for years, and might not want to be found.But as his cancer progresses and James starts to lose his grip on time and memory, it might just be that time and memory are losing their grip on James, too.
It's the biggest and most important re-write of his life. Restoring love from nothing but memory might be possible, if the past isn't too far gone to fix. ~ Goodreads
Source: Purchased (Kindle Unlimited – $0.00)
Review:
Clocking in at 46 pages, I wasn’t going to review In Memoriam on the blog. I mean, what can you say without spoiling only 46 pages of story?
However, I read In Memoriam back in August and I still keep thinking about it so I’ll do my best to give my thoughts without giving up the whole game.
James, a book editor, is diagnosed with brain cancer and only has a short time to live. His biggest regret is letting the love of his life, Andy, go. Through his journals he relives the romance and it’s end, while hiring someone to look for James before he dies.
You are never quite sure whether James is misrembering, dreaming an alternative reality as his mind deteriorates, or if he’s truly getting a second chance to rewrite history but it’s oddly compelling anyway. I wasn’t frustrated at all and just went for the ride.
I can see how this might not appeal to some. It’s a strange, trippy, non linear story that has very dark humor, a touch of magic/time travel and a hopeful but not entirely solid ending (spoiler: it does end on a hopeful note!) but I loved it.
There’s so much packed into those 46 pages and if you’re looking for something different, this is a quiet little story that is somehow still loud with it’s emotional impact, if that makes sense.
I’m not even sure I fully understand what happened but like I said – I’m still thinking about James months later.
Only 46 pages?? How do you fit something like this into so few pages? It sounds interesting, though. I'm all about strange, trippy books. ;)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I'm feeling compelled to Google whether or not he finds Andy, but I shall refrain. Maybe.
You can google but it's not a straight up yes or no answer lol
DeleteIt's not all tied up in a happy little bow but I think it was a really solid story despite being only 46 pages.
Oh! Oh! This is me now: http://www.doyoudog-ear.com/
ReplyDeleteI am doing a hard pass lately on all tragic illness books but sounds like this really made an impact on you!
ReplyDeleteJen Ryland
This has a tragic illness but isn't really a tragic illness book - in fact there is a lot of humor. It's actually too weird and trippy to classify. lol
DeleteThis sounds really fascinating; I might have to check it out! It's always good when a book or character keeps you thinking of them a month or two later.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net
It's really different but I think you would like it Lauren.
DeleteHmmm, I really do not know
ReplyDeleteNot for you lol
DeleteThe hardest reviews for me are ones with such few pages or the ones I felt like OMG AMAZING haha
ReplyDeleteOh man...AMAZING reviews are soooo damn hard! I just ramble.
DeleteSounds good for when you want a quick read.
ReplyDeleteIt worked for me considering how short it was. Surprised me TBH
DeleteI've always found that narratives written by great authors with so few words generally have the most impact on me too. I might grab a copy of this as well to read in between books this weekend. Great review Karen, so glad you enjoyed it and it made such an impact <3
ReplyDeleteLet me know what you think if you try it. It's so weird that it's hard to know who to recommend it to. Mileage will vary on this one.
DeleteWhen such a short read lingers on your mind long after reading you know you're on to a winner. Not ever author succeeds in making a short story both memorable and succeeds in you connecting with the characters so this one certainly sound like it did both. It may not have been a story to satisfy all but you sound like it worked for you and it sounds good for a short read. Great review.
ReplyDelete