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Remember Me
Separated from her true love at the age of 18, Liz dreamt of the day he would return to marry her, but fate had other plans. Thirty-seven years later, Liz answers the telephone to hear a voice from the past that still has the power to stop her in her tracks. A true story of love lost and found, this personal memoir journeys across continents and decades to relate the details of the couple’s original love affair and their reunion years later. Poignant and romantic, this story is a testament to the extraordinary powers of the heart.
327 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2000
37 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Liz Byrski
30 books198 followersLiz Byrski is a writer and broadcaster with more than 40 years experience in the British and Australian media. She is the author of eleven non-fiction books and five novels, and her work has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines.
In the nineties Liz was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an advisor to a minister in the Western Australian State Government; she now lectures in Professional and Creative Writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.
Liz was born in London and spent most of her childhood in Sussex. As an only child she spent a lot of time alone, much of it buried in books. She began her working life as a secretary and later moved into journalism working as a reporter on a local newspaper until she took up freelance writing when her children were born. Before moving to Western Australia she also worked as an appeals organiser for Oxfam.
After moving to Perth with her family in 1981 she once again established a freelance career writing for Australian publications including The Australian, Homes and Living, Cosmopolitan and Weekend News.
Liz lives between Perth and Fremantle and in addition to enjoying the company of family and friends, she spends most of her time reading, writing and walking. She has two adult sons and twin grandsons.
In the nineties Liz was a broadcaster and executive producer with ABC Radio in Perth and later an advisor to a minister in the Western Australian State Government; she now lectures in Professional and Creative Writing at Curtin University of Technology in Perth, and has PhD in writing with a focus on feminist popular fiction.
Liz was born in London and spent most of her childhood in Sussex. As an only child she spent a lot of time alone, much of it buried in books. She began her working life as a secretary and later moved into journalism working as a reporter on a local newspaper until she took up freelance writing when her children were born. Before moving to Western Australia she also worked as an appeals organiser for Oxfam.
After moving to Perth with her family in 1981 she once again established a freelance career writing for Australian publications including The Australian, Homes and Living, Cosmopolitan and Weekend News.
Liz lives between Perth and Fremantle and in addition to enjoying the company of family and friends, she spends most of her time reading, writing and walking. She has two adult sons and twin grandsons.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 11, 2023
EXCERPT: Fine rain is falling as I make my way back to Little Smugglers and without going into the house I climb into the car, drive out of the lane, turn left and follow the same route that I used to take to work, and a I reach the green by Felbridge School I see the seat where I sat in the rain to read Karl's letter. I pull the car onto the verge and walk over to sit down as the rain turns from a light film to a stronger shower. So here I am again - in this same place on this same seat in the rain, and in my pocket are his card and photographs.
I look at the pictures and wonder if he will still love me when he sees me face-to-face; when he is confronted with a fifty-four-year-old grandmother instead of a teenager. A dream that I never dared to dream is about to come true and I am indeed 'over the moon' as Jess predicted.
But a morsel of fear also disturbs me. The rain soaks my hair and runs down inside my coat collar trickling down my chest and back making me shiver. What am I afraid of? My old life still waits in Australia. I'm not risking family, home or work, not money or security. My fear is of losing once more what I seemed to have regained. In our telephone conversations the years have evaporated but the love has remained, it feels as it always did but can it survive reality? That's the risk - losing the dream.
ABOUT 'REMEMBER ME': Separated from her true love at the age of 18, Liz dreamt of the day he would return to marry her, but fate had other plans. Thirty-seven years later, Liz answers the telephone to hear a voice from the past that still has the power to stop her in her tracks. A true story of love lost and found, this personal memoir journeys across continents and decades to relate the details of the couple’s original love affair and their reunion years later. Poignant and romantic, this story is a testament to the extraordinary powers of the heart.
MY THOUGHTS: I doubt anyone can read this memoir and not have thoughts of their own first love stirred to life.
Liz bares her soul in her memoir, sharing all her memories, her doubts, her regrets, and her joy as they reunite thirty-seven years later.
I would like to know what happened after Liz joins Karl in San Francisco. Perhaps a follow up memoir is in order please Liz?
🌟🌟🌟.8
I own my copy of Remember Me by Liz Byrski.
I look at the pictures and wonder if he will still love me when he sees me face-to-face; when he is confronted with a fifty-four-year-old grandmother instead of a teenager. A dream that I never dared to dream is about to come true and I am indeed 'over the moon' as Jess predicted.
But a morsel of fear also disturbs me. The rain soaks my hair and runs down inside my coat collar trickling down my chest and back making me shiver. What am I afraid of? My old life still waits in Australia. I'm not risking family, home or work, not money or security. My fear is of losing once more what I seemed to have regained. In our telephone conversations the years have evaporated but the love has remained, it feels as it always did but can it survive reality? That's the risk - losing the dream.
ABOUT 'REMEMBER ME': Separated from her true love at the age of 18, Liz dreamt of the day he would return to marry her, but fate had other plans. Thirty-seven years later, Liz answers the telephone to hear a voice from the past that still has the power to stop her in her tracks. A true story of love lost and found, this personal memoir journeys across continents and decades to relate the details of the couple’s original love affair and their reunion years later. Poignant and romantic, this story is a testament to the extraordinary powers of the heart.
MY THOUGHTS: I doubt anyone can read this memoir and not have thoughts of their own first love stirred to life.
Liz bares her soul in her memoir, sharing all her memories, her doubts, her regrets, and her joy as they reunite thirty-seven years later.
I would like to know what happened after Liz joins Karl in San Francisco. Perhaps a follow up memoir is in order please Liz?
🌟🌟🌟.8
I own my copy of Remember Me by Liz Byrski.
October 20, 2017
I really enjoyed this story, after I finished reading it I emailed Liz to find out if the relationship had lasted but she told me that he wanted the girl she had been at 18 so it did not last. It was a really good read though.
September 28, 2017
I read it in two sittings and can't believe how much I could relate to from being brought up in an Oz household tempered by English and German values. Snippets of memories arose instilled by the March girls lives and more recently of how family values shape lives. Truly well worth rereading over and again. I'm humbled by and appreciate how much Liz was willing to share of herself. The expressed inner and outer life, emotions and self protection walls speak volumes to this little 'writer to be one day'. Now on the hunt for more of her work. Have already ready much of it:) Anyone wanting to learn how to write can pick up many lessons peppered throughout the book too.
September 1, 2017
This was one of my book club books. I'm not really sure how I feel about it. At times I just wanted to shake the main characters, especially when they kept crying.
I felt Liz must have led an extremely protected life as she was growing up in the UK.
I wonder what Liz did if she returned to Fremantle when the relationship broke down.
I felt Liz must have led an extremely protected life as she was growing up in the UK.
I wonder what Liz did if she returned to Fremantle when the relationship broke down.
November 6, 2017
Have just finished the Bolinda audio book edition ... very engaging and well written. An amazing story, if it weren't memoir, I'd write it off as some Mills and Boon fluff. But the story at the heart of the memoir is indeed true. And it's so well constructed and completely engaging.
I might write a more detailed review after I've read the print version, which is what I want to do now. Although audio has its advantages, and has turned out to be a great way of previewing a book, I *do* prefer to read hard copy (or an e-book). Something about words on a page or screen. If I'm listening to a book while doing something else, it's too easy for my mind to wander. But if I sit down to read, my brain is (generally) less distractable.
I might write a more detailed review after I've read the print version, which is what I want to do now. Although audio has its advantages, and has turned out to be a great way of previewing a book, I *do* prefer to read hard copy (or an e-book). Something about words on a page or screen. If I'm listening to a book while doing something else, it's too easy for my mind to wander. But if I sit down to read, my brain is (generally) less distractable.
September 12, 2021
This is a deeply personal and vulnerable real life love story. A book that made be gasp and cry. I was so committed to these two people and their incredible narrative. Beautifully written, as are all of Lizs books I’ve read thus far. Thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life and reminding the world that true love really does exist, even outside of fairy tales ❤️
June 10, 2017
Quite sad really how interference kept them apart. The only side of this I didn't like was the authors telling of the story via "writing letters to the lost beau" that wasps tad annoying and not necessary given they were not real letters but merely her telling him her thoughts.
June 25, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! Finished it in 3 days.
February 27, 2022
You will have realised from the descriptor that this is a departure from my usual crime fiction,
I did not realise until I had nearly finished the book that this is a memoir, written hot on the heels of the author's reunion with Karl Heinz 37 years after they first met. By this time they had both been in other marriages, and the book ends just after their reunion.
Plenty of discussion points in the book. Was their original separation on the grounds that Liz was too young for marriage a valid one? What chance did their reunion have after they had spent so long apart, and had so many experiences that were not shared?
I did not realise until I had nearly finished the book that this is a memoir, written hot on the heels of the author's reunion with Karl Heinz 37 years after they first met. By this time they had both been in other marriages, and the book ends just after their reunion.
Plenty of discussion points in the book. Was their original separation on the grounds that Liz was too young for marriage a valid one? What chance did their reunion have after they had spent so long apart, and had so many experiences that were not shared?
March 7, 2018
An amazing story, only let down by the fact that it was padded out to twice the length it needed to be.
March 30, 2023
A very Mills and Boon style book. Not all romances are interesting enough to merit a whole book, and this one certainly does not. The first part is so hard to get through as it seems to be written by a teenager gushing over and over about her first love. I had to go forward to the present day when he resurfaces and oh no, she reverts back to gushing teenager even though she is 52. It is a bit embarrassing that she mined a private affair into a single article written for a newspaper, then into a whole book.
The level of detail about their brief courtship is too long and frankly, boring. And his excuse for not coming back to her is really quite strange and flimsy. Let’s face it, he found other distractions in California and she won’t admit it. And you have to feel a bit sorry for his daughter. And Liz’s ex-husband, father to her sons? They don’t even get a look-in. Karl married two more times in California! That says a lot. Not much pining for Liz there.
The only really in-depth part of the book is the chapter about uncertainty…how they were both navigating cross-continent commitment. There is a maturity there, but then she abandons everything, including her dog and aging mother in care, to race to a man who dumped her. There is no hesitation in leaving everything, no discussion about him coming to Perth, after all, it was his turn. I think Liz was in love with the idea of love, still clinging to the intense feelings around her teenage love. My bet is, they wouldn’t go the distance.
I see that he is no longer in the picture, so one can assume that she hightailed it back to Australia. I only hope she found her dog and brought him back. If Karl has passed away, my condolences to all concerned.
The level of detail about their brief courtship is too long and frankly, boring. And his excuse for not coming back to her is really quite strange and flimsy. Let’s face it, he found other distractions in California and she won’t admit it. And you have to feel a bit sorry for his daughter. And Liz’s ex-husband, father to her sons? They don’t even get a look-in. Karl married two more times in California! That says a lot. Not much pining for Liz there.
The only really in-depth part of the book is the chapter about uncertainty…how they were both navigating cross-continent commitment. There is a maturity there, but then she abandons everything, including her dog and aging mother in care, to race to a man who dumped her. There is no hesitation in leaving everything, no discussion about him coming to Perth, after all, it was his turn. I think Liz was in love with the idea of love, still clinging to the intense feelings around her teenage love. My bet is, they wouldn’t go the distance.
I see that he is no longer in the picture, so one can assume that she hightailed it back to Australia. I only hope she found her dog and brought him back. If Karl has passed away, my condolences to all concerned.
July 25, 2021
A beautifully written memoir
January 5, 2022
A beautiful story.
July 26, 2023
A beautiful heart warming, extremely romantic love story that is real. I thoroughly enjoyed the old fashioned way of expressing the feelings and emotions.
September 10, 2022
For anyone who has ever been in love then had their heart broken, Australian author Liz Byrski’s memoir of love found and love lost will strike a chord.
At the age of 17, reknown author Liz Byrski (then Liz Beard) is living at home in Sussex and working in London when she meets and falls instantly in love with her friend’s boarder Karl Heinz. “In that moment everything froze. I put my hand on the back of the couch to steady myself.”
But Karl is a German in England in the early sixties who at 31 is not only deemed too old for her but is also unsuitably a divorcee with a young child. We follow the early days of their passion in a time when good manners were everything and parents set the ground rules for marriage.
When Karl must return to California for work and visa purposes Liz’s protests to accompany him are powerless and the couple must “wait a year” before they are allowed to wed. A long-distance relationship is never easy but mixed with miscommunication and fate, love is lost and life takes a different path for both Liz and Karl.
Thirty-seven years later, the couple meet again and have the opportunity to ask the questions of what happened and what went wrong? They get a second chance at love.
Although the retelling of the early days of this true love story take up the first half of the book, the story is broken into five chapters, aptly named to reflect each stage of the love story: Recollection, Resolve, Explanation, Restoration and Dislocation.
Part Two entitled Resolve opens in 1998 with Karl’s journey back to England to track Liz down, not knowing that she has already moved to Australia many years before. The visit is part of a 12-year search to find her but the private detective he hired is unsuccessful.
When he comes across grandmother Jess Phillips whose family now live in Liz’s old home, she sees that he is still in love and desperate to find Liz so takes up the role of sleuth, with great success.
Explanation, Restoration and Dislocation fill us in on the missing years and what went wrong.
Remember Me is a wonderful love story and at times it is hard to believe that it is a true story, not just a work of fiction.
Fans of the BBC production As Time Goes By will identify with a similar story line, though in Remember Me we do not spend a great deal of time in the present day.
At the age of 17, reknown author Liz Byrski (then Liz Beard) is living at home in Sussex and working in London when she meets and falls instantly in love with her friend’s boarder Karl Heinz. “In that moment everything froze. I put my hand on the back of the couch to steady myself.”
But Karl is a German in England in the early sixties who at 31 is not only deemed too old for her but is also unsuitably a divorcee with a young child. We follow the early days of their passion in a time when good manners were everything and parents set the ground rules for marriage.
When Karl must return to California for work and visa purposes Liz’s protests to accompany him are powerless and the couple must “wait a year” before they are allowed to wed. A long-distance relationship is never easy but mixed with miscommunication and fate, love is lost and life takes a different path for both Liz and Karl.
Thirty-seven years later, the couple meet again and have the opportunity to ask the questions of what happened and what went wrong? They get a second chance at love.
Although the retelling of the early days of this true love story take up the first half of the book, the story is broken into five chapters, aptly named to reflect each stage of the love story: Recollection, Resolve, Explanation, Restoration and Dislocation.
Part Two entitled Resolve opens in 1998 with Karl’s journey back to England to track Liz down, not knowing that she has already moved to Australia many years before. The visit is part of a 12-year search to find her but the private detective he hired is unsuccessful.
When he comes across grandmother Jess Phillips whose family now live in Liz’s old home, she sees that he is still in love and desperate to find Liz so takes up the role of sleuth, with great success.
Explanation, Restoration and Dislocation fill us in on the missing years and what went wrong.
Remember Me is a wonderful love story and at times it is hard to believe that it is a true story, not just a work of fiction.
Fans of the BBC production As Time Goes By will identify with a similar story line, though in Remember Me we do not spend a great deal of time in the present day.
December 17, 2012
This is a really good memoir, and a true love story with plenty of ups and downs and no sentimentality. Girl meets older man in the 1960s, they fall in love and plan to marry, but he goes away, and due to a misunderstanding the relationship ends abruptly. She is devastated, but life goes on... 40 years later he searches for her and finds her... well worth reading to see what happens next. Well written and intriguing, with the added spice of actually having happened.
December 23, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this memoire of love, loss and love again. Liz tells us the story of the love which began when she was 18 and was revived 37 years later. Some quite intimate details are shared and Liz doesn't shy from the truth even when it is painful. As you might expect if you have read her novels, this book is written with humour and wry observation. Wonderful read!!
December 6, 2008
Turgid magniloquence!
December 22, 2013
at times at the beginning it became difficult to see it thru but was well worth it in the end!
November 13, 2011
Beautiful happy tear jerker. Read it in 1 day.
Read
August 2, 2018Really enjoyed this, teen to read more.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews