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In Memory of Us
What does it mean to remember?
Joined at birth, then pulled apart, Selina and Zora’s relationship is marked by a pattern of closeness and separation. Growing up in 50s’ and 60s’ London under the shadow of Enoch Powell, they are instinctively dependent on each other, and yet Zora yearns for her own identity. But in the eyes of the people around them, the twins are interchangeable.
They come as a pair.
They are Selzora.
Now in her seventies and living with the early stages of dementia, Selina is tracing shards of memory. She is intent on untangling the traumatic events of the past that changed the twins’ lives. Perhaps Lydia, who has reintroduced herself to Selina with sharp, cool charisma, will help her find answers. But even as Selina struggles to make sense of her memories, it’s all too clear that Lydia is hiding something.
In Memory of Us is a profound evocation of memory, and the strategies employed for illusion and survival in the wake of racism. It offers an often-overlooked insight into life as a Black Briton after the Windrush generation.
Joined at birth, then pulled apart, Selina and Zora’s relationship is marked by a pattern of closeness and separation. Growing up in 50s’ and 60s’ London under the shadow of Enoch Powell, they are instinctively dependent on each other, and yet Zora yearns for her own identity. But in the eyes of the people around them, the twins are interchangeable.
They come as a pair.
They are Selzora.
Now in her seventies and living with the early stages of dementia, Selina is tracing shards of memory. She is intent on untangling the traumatic events of the past that changed the twins’ lives. Perhaps Lydia, who has reintroduced herself to Selina with sharp, cool charisma, will help her find answers. But even as Selina struggles to make sense of her memories, it’s all too clear that Lydia is hiding something.
In Memory of Us is a profound evocation of memory, and the strategies employed for illusion and survival in the wake of racism. It offers an often-overlooked insight into life as a Black Briton after the Windrush generation.
- GenresFiction
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2024
13 people are currently reading
233 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Roy
16 books33 followersJacqueline Roy was born and raised in London. Her father was Jamaican and her mother was English. She lectured in English at Manchester Metropolitan University for many years, teaching Postcolonial Literatures and Creative Writing. She writes fiction for both adults and children.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 18, 2024
Jacqueline Roy launched herself onto my radar with The Gosling Girl, so I was thrilled to read this next novel.
Roy seems to find plots that fascinate me. The Gosling Girl involved a woman trying to integrate herself into society after prison time, and this book concerns conjoined twins who are now separated.
The twins are wonderful characters, completely different and it was so interesting to see how they interacted as they grew up.
There is dual perspective, and a dual timeline which was brilliantly executed and I enjoyed both equally. Selina has dementia and looks back on her memories trying to find out what happened in their childhood.
I loved this book, the characters, plot and timelines gripped me throughout and I can't wait to see what Roy brings us next.
Roy seems to find plots that fascinate me. The Gosling Girl involved a woman trying to integrate herself into society after prison time, and this book concerns conjoined twins who are now separated.
The twins are wonderful characters, completely different and it was so interesting to see how they interacted as they grew up.
There is dual perspective, and a dual timeline which was brilliantly executed and I enjoyed both equally. Selina has dementia and looks back on her memories trying to find out what happened in their childhood.
I loved this book, the characters, plot and timelines gripped me throughout and I can't wait to see what Roy brings us next.
June 25, 2024
Wowzeeeee. I loved this! I went into the black owned bookstore in Brighton and said choose me something. And this was it and I LOVED IT. Big ups!!!!
I’m not even gonna tell u what happens just read it. X
I’m not even gonna tell u what happens just read it. X
January 30, 2024
Zora and Selina are identical twins. They are so alike in many ways that people have given them a nickname 'Selzora'. Growing up in the 50s and 60s wasn't an easy time, especially with being identical, racism, having a white mother and a black father. W.hen the twins made friends with nine-year-old Lydia, it wasn't long before Lydia started playing Selina and Zora off against each other. But she didn't stop there, but I don't do spoilers, so you need to read the book to find out. As Selina's dementia progresses she gets in touch with Lydia to see if she could help with things that she's not clear about, but Selina decides not to tell Lydia about her dementia. Is Lydia going to tell Selina the whole truth about what happened. I loved everything about this book, the writing style made the book easy to read but also you don't want to put it down until you are finished
December 4, 2023
I worry that I'm just getting soft in my diary age, because this type of book hits harder than it would have a few years back.
I can feel the longing , the loss, the grief, whilst another part of my brain is just desperate to know what happened with x and y and z.
Surprises throughout, and one that's almost certainly going to pull some heartstrings
I can feel the longing , the loss, the grief, whilst another part of my brain is just desperate to know what happened with x and y and z.
Surprises throughout, and one that's almost certainly going to pull some heartstrings
August 17, 2025
I loved this story. Really beautifully written with two different timelines and perspectives. My first Jacqueline Roy novel but it won't be the last.
February 2, 2024
In Memory of Us, by Jacqueline Roy, alternates between the present day, in which septuagenarian Selina is trying to piece together her memories in the face of advancing dementia, and scenes from her past, many of which involve her identical twin sister Zora, their older brother Cal, and their childhood friend, Lydia.
Born to an English mother and a Jamaican father in London in the 1950s, Selina and Zora stand out due to the colour of their skin, in addition to their twinhood.
As young children, the pair find comfort and sanctuary in one another. However, as they grow older, Zora, as the more outgoing and adventurous twin, starts to crave individuality and independence from timid, clingy Selina.
Privileged, scheming Lydia takes advantage of the emerging fissures between them – and ultimately changes the course of their lives. But can Selina, back in contact with Lydia after a gap of many years, remember how?
I found so much to love in In Memory of Us. Right from the start, I was captivated by the twins’ characters and relationship and, of course, the mystery of Selina’s out-of-reach memories and the promise (very much fulfilled!) of breath-taking revelations.
I’ve been drawn to novels about second-generation immigrants growing up in England after WWII since I took a “postcolonial” module as part of my English Literature A Level (think White Teeth and The Buddha of Suburbia), so this book’s setting and themes such as race and class were right up my street.
While racism is a nasty constant for its main characters, In Memory of Us is far from being a heavy read. Roy takes care to highlight the joys as well as the pain in the twins’ lives, and her sparkling prose, wry humour, and vivid descriptions had me flying through the pages.
This is all the more impressive when you consider how the narrative frequently jumps back and forth in time (with some especially skilful links between consecutive sections), and the deliberate inconsistencies in Selina and Zora’s recollections of the same scenes that, at first, make you go “hold on a minute…” and flick back a few pages.
This brings me to my absolute favourite thing about In Memory of Us: the way the author explores various types of memory (dis)function while telling a coherent and gripping story. Selina’s dementia, which causes her to forget words, people, and where she is place- and time-wise, is the most obvious example.
The novel also encompasses false memories (where we “remember” an event we’ve been told we were part of); imperfect recall (where our imagination fills in the gaps in a remembered scene); the suppressive effects of trauma on memory; and the stories we tell ourselves about the past – whether we’re trying to absolve or blame ourselves. These are all things I find fascinating.
Not unrelatedly, I’d say that Selina is underestimated – by herself and others – throughout the book, due to her negative self-perception and the inevitable comparisons with Zora. To me, she comes across as resourceful, tenacious, and more capable of making her voice heard than she thinks.
In Memory of Us is highly engaging and moving, and brilliantly written.
Born to an English mother and a Jamaican father in London in the 1950s, Selina and Zora stand out due to the colour of their skin, in addition to their twinhood.
As young children, the pair find comfort and sanctuary in one another. However, as they grow older, Zora, as the more outgoing and adventurous twin, starts to crave individuality and independence from timid, clingy Selina.
Privileged, scheming Lydia takes advantage of the emerging fissures between them – and ultimately changes the course of their lives. But can Selina, back in contact with Lydia after a gap of many years, remember how?
I found so much to love in In Memory of Us. Right from the start, I was captivated by the twins’ characters and relationship and, of course, the mystery of Selina’s out-of-reach memories and the promise (very much fulfilled!) of breath-taking revelations.
I’ve been drawn to novels about second-generation immigrants growing up in England after WWII since I took a “postcolonial” module as part of my English Literature A Level (think White Teeth and The Buddha of Suburbia), so this book’s setting and themes such as race and class were right up my street.
While racism is a nasty constant for its main characters, In Memory of Us is far from being a heavy read. Roy takes care to highlight the joys as well as the pain in the twins’ lives, and her sparkling prose, wry humour, and vivid descriptions had me flying through the pages.
This is all the more impressive when you consider how the narrative frequently jumps back and forth in time (with some especially skilful links between consecutive sections), and the deliberate inconsistencies in Selina and Zora’s recollections of the same scenes that, at first, make you go “hold on a minute…” and flick back a few pages.
This brings me to my absolute favourite thing about In Memory of Us: the way the author explores various types of memory (dis)function while telling a coherent and gripping story. Selina’s dementia, which causes her to forget words, people, and where she is place- and time-wise, is the most obvious example.
The novel also encompasses false memories (where we “remember” an event we’ve been told we were part of); imperfect recall (where our imagination fills in the gaps in a remembered scene); the suppressive effects of trauma on memory; and the stories we tell ourselves about the past – whether we’re trying to absolve or blame ourselves. These are all things I find fascinating.
Not unrelatedly, I’d say that Selina is underestimated – by herself and others – throughout the book, due to her negative self-perception and the inevitable comparisons with Zora. To me, she comes across as resourceful, tenacious, and more capable of making her voice heard than she thinks.
In Memory of Us is highly engaging and moving, and brilliantly written.
January 19, 2024
4.5
In Memory Of Us is an emotional, absorbing and thought provoking read which has definitely stayed with me.
The story follows two sisters Zora and Selina, previously co-joined mixed race twins . Zora’s chapters focus on their life in the past as they try to negotiate life in Britain after the war while Selina’s focus on her life in the present as a 70 year old struggling with memory loss. Out of these two timelines I did prefer the one set in the past as it was intriguing and horrifying to follow the two girls through their lives. I was shocked to learn about the casual racism that existed in this period with adult spitting on children and the twins constantly being told to go home when they had actually been born in Britain.
There are lots of different subjects mentioned in this book which I found very interesting to explore alongside the characters. Along with racism, memory is also explored throughout the book both how everyone’s memories can be different and how important it is to keep them safe as you can lose them as you get older. I really felt for Selina who is suffering from an unnamed condition, which I assumed to be dementia. It was heartbreaking to see how much she had forgotten and how confused she is about certain things.
I thought the story had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. Even when there wasn’t I just enjoyed hanging out with the twins and experiencing life from their point of view. There are lots of unexpected twists that took me by surprise, including one that made me cry as it was truly heartbreaking. The ending was very emotional and I closed the book with a lump in my throat, sad that I had to leave the twins behind.
Huge thanks to Anne from Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour and Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book.
In Memory Of Us is an emotional, absorbing and thought provoking read which has definitely stayed with me.
The story follows two sisters Zora and Selina, previously co-joined mixed race twins . Zora’s chapters focus on their life in the past as they try to negotiate life in Britain after the war while Selina’s focus on her life in the present as a 70 year old struggling with memory loss. Out of these two timelines I did prefer the one set in the past as it was intriguing and horrifying to follow the two girls through their lives. I was shocked to learn about the casual racism that existed in this period with adult spitting on children and the twins constantly being told to go home when they had actually been born in Britain.
There are lots of different subjects mentioned in this book which I found very interesting to explore alongside the characters. Along with racism, memory is also explored throughout the book both how everyone’s memories can be different and how important it is to keep them safe as you can lose them as you get older. I really felt for Selina who is suffering from an unnamed condition, which I assumed to be dementia. It was heartbreaking to see how much she had forgotten and how confused she is about certain things.
I thought the story had a great pace to it and there always seemed to be something happening to keep me reading. Even when there wasn’t I just enjoyed hanging out with the twins and experiencing life from their point of view. There are lots of unexpected twists that took me by surprise, including one that made me cry as it was truly heartbreaking. The ending was very emotional and I closed the book with a lump in my throat, sad that I had to leave the twins behind.
Huge thanks to Anne from Random Things Tours for inviting me on the tour and Simon and Schuster for my copy of this book.
January 18, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.
Oh my heart! I went in expecting a read that would be emotional but this one really packed punch.
The writing was absolutely stunning! I was sucked in immediately and my attention never wavered. Such raw and real emotions within the writing - it would evoke strong feelings in anyone.
The characters were so wonderfully written, so well fleshed out and realistic. The book does such an amazing job of exploring complex relationships, especially those of identical twins. As well as some really hard hitting factors of race, especially when growing up in the 50’s & 60’s.
Selina’s decline throughout the book was heartbreaking but written wonderfully. You felt her frustration and her fight to cling onto her memories. I found myself really rooting for her and feeling all her pain.
The story unfolds at a really good pace. Flitting between Selina in the present day and Zora in the past. This gave such a unique view of the story and their backgrounds. I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what had happened, why, who - everything. So many unexpected twists towards the end, it blew my mind - and thoroughly broke my heart.
The book was insightful, harrowing and an all round beautiful read. Massively recommend to anyone who loves a raw and complex read. I’d love to read more from the author in the future.
Oh my heart! I went in expecting a read that would be emotional but this one really packed punch.
The writing was absolutely stunning! I was sucked in immediately and my attention never wavered. Such raw and real emotions within the writing - it would evoke strong feelings in anyone.
The characters were so wonderfully written, so well fleshed out and realistic. The book does such an amazing job of exploring complex relationships, especially those of identical twins. As well as some really hard hitting factors of race, especially when growing up in the 50’s & 60’s.
Selina’s decline throughout the book was heartbreaking but written wonderfully. You felt her frustration and her fight to cling onto her memories. I found myself really rooting for her and feeling all her pain.
The story unfolds at a really good pace. Flitting between Selina in the present day and Zora in the past. This gave such a unique view of the story and their backgrounds. I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what had happened, why, who - everything. So many unexpected twists towards the end, it blew my mind - and thoroughly broke my heart.
The book was insightful, harrowing and an all round beautiful read. Massively recommend to anyone who loves a raw and complex read. I’d love to read more from the author in the future.
January 26, 2024
Selina and Zora are identical twins, so alike they’re nicknamed Selzora. As they grow up together in 60s and 70s Britain, they endure the casual and overt racism of that generation, knowing they are different for more than their twinship, but proud of who they are. But as they mature, Zora begins to pull away from Selina, becoming closer to their friend, “bad” girl Lydia.
Now in her 70s, Selina has the beginnings of dementia, and is gradually forgetting details from the past. What caused her and Zora to fall out with Lydia? What happened to their brother, Cal? Where is Zora now?
Determined to fill in the gaps in her memory, she makes contact with Lydia, who is as bright and brittle and manipulative as ever. And gradually, a truth emerges that may destroy their new-found friendship all over again.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks to the past from both Selina and Zora’s point of view. But their version of events often differs. Who do we believe? We can’t wholly trust Selina, who has dementia, but can we wholly trust Zora either? It’s a wonderful exploration of the power of memory and how important past events are in shaping the person we become. It’s also a very thoughtful insight into how dementia affects the mind, and how frightening it must be to live in that twilight world, where nothing quite makes sense.
The other important issue in this book is that of racism, which underpins the twins’ experiences and the tragedy that both divided and united them. It’s dealt with sensitively but so poignantly – author Jacqueline Roy has a sure touch in bringing it to the forefront, exploring what it is like to be judged for your colour, without every turning her characters into powerless victims.
I loved this story on so many levels. The plot is excellent, well-paced and dramatic. The structure is exactly what is needed to absorb the reader into the story with Selina, giving a real insight into what it must be like for her trying to grasp at memories.
Selina and Zora’s story will make you laugh, cry and rant at the injustice of a world where racism is still an issue 50 years on. More than that, it will stay with you long after the final page.
Now in her 70s, Selina has the beginnings of dementia, and is gradually forgetting details from the past. What caused her and Zora to fall out with Lydia? What happened to their brother, Cal? Where is Zora now?
Determined to fill in the gaps in her memory, she makes contact with Lydia, who is as bright and brittle and manipulative as ever. And gradually, a truth emerges that may destroy their new-found friendship all over again.
The story is told in a series of flashbacks to the past from both Selina and Zora’s point of view. But their version of events often differs. Who do we believe? We can’t wholly trust Selina, who has dementia, but can we wholly trust Zora either? It’s a wonderful exploration of the power of memory and how important past events are in shaping the person we become. It’s also a very thoughtful insight into how dementia affects the mind, and how frightening it must be to live in that twilight world, where nothing quite makes sense.
The other important issue in this book is that of racism, which underpins the twins’ experiences and the tragedy that both divided and united them. It’s dealt with sensitively but so poignantly – author Jacqueline Roy has a sure touch in bringing it to the forefront, exploring what it is like to be judged for your colour, without every turning her characters into powerless victims.
I loved this story on so many levels. The plot is excellent, well-paced and dramatic. The structure is exactly what is needed to absorb the reader into the story with Selina, giving a real insight into what it must be like for her trying to grasp at memories.
Selina and Zora’s story will make you laugh, cry and rant at the injustice of a world where racism is still an issue 50 years on. More than that, it will stay with you long after the final page.
January 26, 2024
📖BOOK REVIEW📖
In Memory of Us by Jacqueline Roy
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@randomthingstours
@simonschusteruk
Review
Thank you to Anne @randomthingstoursfor for organising this blog tour!
Wow, what an incredible book bursting with so much emotion that just leaves you sitting in silence with your own thoughts after reading the last page.
A truly wonderfully written book with sadly so much fact and truth for so many people experiencing the same issues, especially on the topic of racism and how people can subtly weave it in to the present day.
The story follows two twin sisters, Selina and Zora, and the story is written from individual narratives but in different time frames - Zora is set in the past whilst they are growing up, and Selinas is set in the present as she struggles with her memory.
Both perspectives interweaved compliments each other perfectly and you really get to see how they came to be where they are now and the experiences that shaped them.
I was truly sucked in to this book and devoured it really quickly, I felt so invested in the characters and their story I didny want it to end but it really makes you think about life. As a mum to dual heritage children (half white English / Nigerian) I always like to explore books like this as there will be experiences my daughters will have that I won't have and there are too many ignorant people in the world.
Beautifully written, overflowing and a book that will stay with me for a long time.
In Memory of Us by Jacqueline Roy
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
@randomthingstours
@simonschusteruk
Review
Thank you to Anne @randomthingstoursfor for organising this blog tour!
Wow, what an incredible book bursting with so much emotion that just leaves you sitting in silence with your own thoughts after reading the last page.
A truly wonderfully written book with sadly so much fact and truth for so many people experiencing the same issues, especially on the topic of racism and how people can subtly weave it in to the present day.
The story follows two twin sisters, Selina and Zora, and the story is written from individual narratives but in different time frames - Zora is set in the past whilst they are growing up, and Selinas is set in the present as she struggles with her memory.
Both perspectives interweaved compliments each other perfectly and you really get to see how they came to be where they are now and the experiences that shaped them.
I was truly sucked in to this book and devoured it really quickly, I felt so invested in the characters and their story I didny want it to end but it really makes you think about life. As a mum to dual heritage children (half white English / Nigerian) I always like to explore books like this as there will be experiences my daughters will have that I won't have and there are too many ignorant people in the world.
Beautifully written, overflowing and a book that will stay with me for a long time.
February 1, 2024
In Memory Of Us is a beautifully written, emotional, poignant, powerful, and thought-provoking story following twins Selina and Zora as they navigate rampant racism, tragedy, grief, mental health issues, sexuality and illegitimate children post Windrush generation in 1950's/60's Britain.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
The story is told from each twins' pov with Zora's chapters focusing on her life as it was. With Selina's story focusing on her life as it is now whilst in the early throes of dementia. Going backwards and forwards as she tries to make sense of her old memories whilst having to confront the tragedy that befell her family after one fateful night and the far-reaching repercussions that affected the family as a whole and individually. Whilst trying to function in the new, vulnerable, confusing, and uncertain world she is facing now.
Jacqueline writes with honesty, validity, and insightfulness. Effortlessly capturing the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of each character, how they think, and the way in which they face the challenges that life throws at them and the reasoning behind it. Culminating in a heartwrenching ending that leaves you in awe of the way in which the brain can create memories and illusions in order to allow us to keep functioning and moving forward.
Jacqueline is a natural storyteller and handles the subjects contained within with honesty relatability and sensitivity. Creating a feeling of sympathy and empathy in her readers.
A story that will stay with me and a highly recommended read from me.
January 28, 2024
Having read and enjoyed her previous book, The Gosling Girl, I was keen to read this new book by Roy. And once again she has written a thought-provoking novel, wholly engrossing and one that leaves you thinking long after you put it down.
It is the story of twins Selina and Zora, who grew up in London in tbe 1950s and 1960s as the children of a British mother and Jamaican father. Told in a dual narrative, the story moves between the present day as Selina, now in her seventies, tries to piece together her childhood while suffering from dementia and memory loss, and Zora’s perspective back in their childhood in the 1950s and 1960s.
There is so much that is heartbreaking about this story, from the shocking casual racism the twins endured as children to the devastating impact as Selina struggles with her failing memory. There is also a fascinating insight into the complex relationship of twins, in this case very different but inexorably linked.
Roy’s skill lies in bringing the characters to life in a way that ensures this is a story full of raw emotion that as a reader you cannot fail to be drawn into - and with some surprises along the way it is a storyline that you want to keep reading to find out more. It is moving, it is compelling - and another fabulous read from Roy.
It is the story of twins Selina and Zora, who grew up in London in tbe 1950s and 1960s as the children of a British mother and Jamaican father. Told in a dual narrative, the story moves between the present day as Selina, now in her seventies, tries to piece together her childhood while suffering from dementia and memory loss, and Zora’s perspective back in their childhood in the 1950s and 1960s.
There is so much that is heartbreaking about this story, from the shocking casual racism the twins endured as children to the devastating impact as Selina struggles with her failing memory. There is also a fascinating insight into the complex relationship of twins, in this case very different but inexorably linked.
Roy’s skill lies in bringing the characters to life in a way that ensures this is a story full of raw emotion that as a reader you cannot fail to be drawn into - and with some surprises along the way it is a storyline that you want to keep reading to find out more. It is moving, it is compelling - and another fabulous read from Roy.
October 22, 2024
Selina and Zora are twins. Born joined at the hip, they were separated in an operation Zora claims to remember every detail of, that left them with matching scars. In Memory of Us is their story, told from both their points of view.
Zora's chapters are about the twins' early years, growing up in the fifties and sixties with their older brother Cal and their best friend Lydia. The children of a white mother and a Jamaican father, they were a tight-knit family living in south London:
"Our mother had pale, slightly freckled skin, and long, thick hair, parted in the middle. Each morning, she would brush it with impatient strokes. She disliked its auburn colour, but we knew it was beautiful – our mum was beautiful. Her smile was warm (though she didn’t allow herself to smile often enough) and she had long, slim legs; her hips swung elegantly when she walked. Our father was tall and muscular with tight black curls, brown skin and glasses that gave him the look of a Caribbean Clark Kent. I often hoped he’d turn into Superman. And then there was our brother: kind, generous Cal, the only other person we wanted to play with."
On the other hand, Selina is in her seventies, looking back at her life. Struggling to hide her worsening dementia from those she loves, she has sought out Lydia again:
"There was something that altered our friendship, I know there was. Maybe I blocked it out years ago because it was too painful to remember. Or perhaps my illness has recently sucked it away. It’s there, in the back of my mind. It was my reason for getting in touch with Lydia again. I need to find out what happened. There are too many gaps."
Jacqueline Roy is a wonderful storyteller who doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. She weaves her tale from both ends, deftly twisting the threads together until we learn, along with Selina, what happened between the four young people in the past. The result is a compelling read about the fragility and unreliability of memory set against a backdrop of prejudice, simmering unrest and racial violence. Highly recommended.
Zora's chapters are about the twins' early years, growing up in the fifties and sixties with their older brother Cal and their best friend Lydia. The children of a white mother and a Jamaican father, they were a tight-knit family living in south London:
"Our mother had pale, slightly freckled skin, and long, thick hair, parted in the middle. Each morning, she would brush it with impatient strokes. She disliked its auburn colour, but we knew it was beautiful – our mum was beautiful. Her smile was warm (though she didn’t allow herself to smile often enough) and she had long, slim legs; her hips swung elegantly when she walked. Our father was tall and muscular with tight black curls, brown skin and glasses that gave him the look of a Caribbean Clark Kent. I often hoped he’d turn into Superman. And then there was our brother: kind, generous Cal, the only other person we wanted to play with."
On the other hand, Selina is in her seventies, looking back at her life. Struggling to hide her worsening dementia from those she loves, she has sought out Lydia again:
"There was something that altered our friendship, I know there was. Maybe I blocked it out years ago because it was too painful to remember. Or perhaps my illness has recently sucked it away. It’s there, in the back of my mind. It was my reason for getting in touch with Lydia again. I need to find out what happened. There are too many gaps."
Jacqueline Roy is a wonderful storyteller who doesn't shy away from difficult subjects. She weaves her tale from both ends, deftly twisting the threads together until we learn, along with Selina, what happened between the four young people in the past. The result is a compelling read about the fragility and unreliability of memory set against a backdrop of prejudice, simmering unrest and racial violence. Highly recommended.
October 19, 2025
4,5 ⭐
"There was something that altered our friendship, I know there was. Maybe I blocked it out years ago because it was too painful to remember. Or perhaps my illness has recently sucked it away. It's there, in the back of my mind. (...) I need to find out what happened. There are too many gaps."
"It's the thought of losing the familiar that scares me most."
"Where will I go if I have to leave the country of my birth? Will I become an asylum seeker, fleeing persecution, travelling to an unknown place in a boat? Will I be told to go back home again when I arrive?"
"You thought our bond was all we ever needed, but I wanted more: l wanted to be in the world as me, not one of a pair or two of a kind."
"Sometimes I fear I'm nothing more than the sum of my misremembered parts. If that's true, who will I be as memory fades?"
"I knew it had never been illegal for women to be with other women but that didn't mean it wasn't feared almost as much."
"I could see us being divided, and separation from you, the thing I wanted more than anything else, was starting to become the thing I most feared."
"There was something that altered our friendship, I know there was. Maybe I blocked it out years ago because it was too painful to remember. Or perhaps my illness has recently sucked it away. It's there, in the back of my mind. (...) I need to find out what happened. There are too many gaps."
"It's the thought of losing the familiar that scares me most."
"Where will I go if I have to leave the country of my birth? Will I become an asylum seeker, fleeing persecution, travelling to an unknown place in a boat? Will I be told to go back home again when I arrive?"
"You thought our bond was all we ever needed, but I wanted more: l wanted to be in the world as me, not one of a pair or two of a kind."
"Sometimes I fear I'm nothing more than the sum of my misremembered parts. If that's true, who will I be as memory fades?"
"I knew it had never been illegal for women to be with other women but that didn't mean it wasn't feared almost as much."
"I could see us being divided, and separation from you, the thing I wanted more than anything else, was starting to become the thing I most feared."
April 2, 2024
In Memory of Us is my best read of 2024 so far. It is beautifully and cleverly written, with emphasis on various timelines and viewpoints. As an Indo-Caribbean sociologist of race living in the UK, reading about 1960s Britain through the stories of Cal, Zora and Selina felt like exploring topics related to my own work in a literary way. Reading about the rise of the far right in the 1950s and 60s and state-endorsed racism and its impacts on the characters' lives was heartbreaking – but it is a story that needs telling.
The book did seem to pay more attention to Zora's viewpoint, but this reflected her personality and often dismissal of Selina's feelings. I much preferred Selina's character and enjoyed getting to know her throughout the book.
The book did seem to pay more attention to Zora's viewpoint, but this reflected her personality and often dismissal of Selina's feelings. I much preferred Selina's character and enjoyed getting to know her throughout the book.
June 12, 2024
Selina and Zora are separated conjoined twins who were born to a Jamaican father and white mother. Selina and Zora are inseparable as children with an unbreakable bond until Lydia moves close by.
Lydia is manipulative and does everything she can do turn the twins against each other, so much it results in death and abandonment.
Present day Selina is in her 70s and is diagnosed with dementia. Selina knows something happened with Lydia but what was it? Where is Zora?
I read this in one day the writing just flowed and I was absorbed into the story and was not expecting that twist in the end. Jaqueline is a brilliant writer and I hope she continues to gift us with more stories in the near future.
Lydia is manipulative and does everything she can do turn the twins against each other, so much it results in death and abandonment.
Present day Selina is in her 70s and is diagnosed with dementia. Selina knows something happened with Lydia but what was it? Where is Zora?
I read this in one day the writing just flowed and I was absorbed into the story and was not expecting that twist in the end. Jaqueline is a brilliant writer and I hope she continues to gift us with more stories in the near future.
March 18, 2024
Selina and Zora are identical twins growing up in 1960s London with a Jamaican father and an English mother. Told through dual timelines, the book explores the racism their family faces and the impact it has on all of their relationships - particularly how the twins separate and unite over the decades.
Beautifully written and well paced. Would have been five stars if I hadn’t found myself much preferring the past timeline to the present one told via Selina’s struggle with dementia.
Beautifully written and well paced. Would have been five stars if I hadn’t found myself much preferring the past timeline to the present one told via Selina’s struggle with dementia.
January 22, 2024
I’m going to write a proper review tomorrow but just thought I’d share my emotions in the moment, having just this second finished this remarkable book: I’m prostrate on the couch, crying like a big old baby. This book is emotive, unexpected and exquisite. More to come tomorrow when I write my book tour review.
March 11, 2024
incredible. the changing in narratives and the jumps in time were seamless. the story telling was a very technical and it was perfect. then the narrative itself!?!? 😗💨 whew this was just too good. what so many different elements that show the dynamic duality of all of the characters. i will say tho i can’t stand lydia 😡her ass was trouble from the jump
April 8, 2024
Another new author for me; the descriptions of memory, the tricks it can play, and Selina’s experience of the onset of Alzheimer’s were excellent. I found that the white characters were rather one dimensional, with the exception of Lydia, and there was variation in the quality of the descriptive writings, but overall I found this a compelling read.
June 11, 2024
A little. bit heartbreaking
This is an incredible story heartfelt abscesses character carved beautifully with all their imperfections and sharp edges. You can feel the story coming to life and the sadness ebbing from the pages as the tragedy unfolds.
Do read this it’s a keeper.
This is an incredible story heartfelt abscesses character carved beautifully with all their imperfections and sharp edges. You can feel the story coming to life and the sadness ebbing from the pages as the tragedy unfolds.
Do read this it’s a keeper.
August 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this one.
The writing was cleverly done to make us feel something of what it feels like to lose your memory, to drift off mid-conversation, to lose words.
This story shows us how important memory is and how our own memories can be wrong. How events can be mis-remembered and how this can effect our lives.
The writing was cleverly done to make us feel something of what it feels like to lose your memory, to drift off mid-conversation, to lose words.
This story shows us how important memory is and how our own memories can be wrong. How events can be mis-remembered and how this can effect our lives.
January 29, 2024
My first 5 star read of the year. Full review to follow.
February 19, 2024
Fantastic novel. Great imaginative storyline and a real page turner. Loved it, only sad it didn't last longer.
March 26, 2024
A great book.
March 29, 2024
I thought this was a brilliant book. Beautifully written, tender and thought provoking, powerful and gut wrenching, and with twists that made me gasp out loud. I absolutely loved it.
August 25, 2024
Really good read. Took me a few chapters to realise each chapter was a different person/voice/stance.
Thoughtful about relationships/happenstance and life in general.
Thoughtful about relationships/happenstance and life in general.
November 27, 2024
This is special
August 19, 2024
I read this in 2 days and that says it all! I could not put this book down, not only does the writing just flow but the pace 🤌🏾something was always happening which made me want to keep reading.
We follow Selina and Zora or ‘Selzora’ in a dual narrative as they grow up as twins being very different in their nature. We see the obstacles, racism and life they face and when a ‘friend’ Lydia comes into their life and attempts to wedge between them and ultimately changes the whole course of their whole lives.
I couldn’t stand Lydia! The games and manipulation she was always trying to play, even in the present day she was no better..
Selina talks us through life in the present day as she tries to piece her memory and the journey of her life together or lack there of whilst she is facing dementia. The depiction of memory in the face of this illness was truly so heartbreaking as the writing reflects her confusion and state of mind. A life of heartbreak and trying to be your own person but realising you’ll always be a twin and have another half of you out there. I even shed a tear at the end.
The writing style will have you gripped, such an easy read!
We follow Selina and Zora or ‘Selzora’ in a dual narrative as they grow up as twins being very different in their nature. We see the obstacles, racism and life they face and when a ‘friend’ Lydia comes into their life and attempts to wedge between them and ultimately changes the whole course of their whole lives.
I couldn’t stand Lydia! The games and manipulation she was always trying to play, even in the present day she was no better..
Selina talks us through life in the present day as she tries to piece her memory and the journey of her life together or lack there of whilst she is facing dementia. The depiction of memory in the face of this illness was truly so heartbreaking as the writing reflects her confusion and state of mind. A life of heartbreak and trying to be your own person but realising you’ll always be a twin and have another half of you out there. I even shed a tear at the end.
The writing style will have you gripped, such an easy read!
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