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Sunday, August 02, 2009

The Story of Forgetting

by Stefan Merrill Block

This is one of my two favorite books for 2009 - the other is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Of course, they are totally different stories, time periods, settings, characters and writing; but both memorable and masterfully told.

The Story of Forgetting is told from two different perspectives. Abel, a 70-year-old twin, tells his story looking back at the past while he waits for the return of his daughter. Seth is living a mystery that he is trying to solve and he narrates alternating chapters revealing his teenage struggles and his goal to solve his mother disease.

Each chapter ends with a remembrance by one of the narrator's of the story they both know about the imaginary land of Isodora.

I don't want to tell you very much of the storyline because so much of the goodness was in being surprised and/or predicting what was coming. I was surprised more often than correct. I finished the book with a big sigh of satisfaction. Then today I discovered this was Stefan Block's first book. Oh, goody - more to come. I hope.

This is a drama. I wanted to make that clear since I did hint to Seth trying to solving a mystery. More accurately he wants to learn all about his mother's disease in the hope's of finding a remedy and he wants to solve the secrets of his mother's past.

The Story of Forgetting is a book that will stay with me. I have marked several passages with bookdarts so I can pick up this book and read through those parts and bring back some of the feelings I had as a I read. And someday I will reread this book.

13 comments:

Holly (2 Kids and Tired) said...

This one sounds terrific. Great review.

Natasha @ Maw Books said...

I'm starring this review. The cover alone makes me intrigued.

Anna said...

This sounds worth checking out. Thanks for the review.

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Thoughts of Joy said...

I've been interested in this book since it came out. I'm so glad to see that you found it to be a winner!

Myke Weber said...

You have caused me to look forward eagerly to reading this one. Hang on to it, I want to be next.

Jeanette said...

Thanks for your thoughts on this book. I have not seen it before but it sounds really interesting. Adding to my TBR list.

Booklogged said...

Holly, thanks.

Natasha, I like the cover, too. So simple but effective.

Anna, if you do read it please let me know what you think.

Joy, it's a bit different than most books and I like different.

Candleman, I am definitely hanging on to it so you are welcome to read it next.

Jeanette, thanks for stopping by and commenting. If you can find time to squeeze it in to your reading, let me know. Would love to hear your thoughts.

bermudaonion said...

This sounds really good - I like books that are unpredictable.

Zibilee said...

This looks like a really fascinating book, and I like the fact that it can be a bit unpredictable at times. I am going to be putting this on my wish list. Thanks for the great review!

Becca said...

Great review! I have this on my TBR list.

Les said...

Marking passages is always a sign of good book. You've piqued my curiosity and this is going on my must read soon list. Great review!

Have you read Kathryn Stockett's The Help? That on my "best of 2009." I think you'd like it.

Sheila (bookjourney) said...

I love book s that are written with a different style and this sounds like one. :)

Thanks for posting!

Toni said...

This sounds great. Thanks for the review and the heads up for a good book.