What do you think?
Rate this book
The Memory Book
When time is running out, every moment is precious…
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementos will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?
A Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Autumn Book Club pick, The Memory Book is a beautiful novel of mothers and daughters, and what we will do for love. From the author of Zoe Ball Book Club pick The Summer of Impossible Things
When Claire starts to write her Memory Book, she already knows that this scrapbook of mementos will soon be all her daughters and husband have of her. But how can she hold onto the past when her future is slipping through her fingers...?
A Sunday Times bestseller and Richard & Judy Autumn Book Club pick, The Memory Book is a beautiful novel of mothers and daughters, and what we will do for love. From the author of Zoe Ball Book Club pick The Summer of Impossible Things
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
431 people are currently reading
11424 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Coleman
48 books846 followersRowan Coleman lives with her husband, and five children in a very full house in Hertfordshire. She juggles writing novels with raising her family which includes a very lively set of toddler twins whose main hobby is going in the opposite directions. When she gets the chance, Rowan enjoys sleeping, sitting and loves watching films; she is also attempting to learn how to bake.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Rowan would like to live every day as if she were starring in a musical, although her daughter no longer allows her to sing in public. Despite being dyslexic, Rowan loves writing, and The Memory Book is her eleventh novel. Others include The Accidental Mother, Lessons in Laughing Out Loud and the award-winning Dearest Rose, a novel which lead Rowan to become an active supporter of domestic abuse charity Refuge, donating 100% of royalties from the ebook publication of her novella, Woman Walks Into a Bar, to the charity. Rowan does not have time for ironing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 995 reviews
December 11, 2015
3.5 a little different take on a book about a woman with Alzheimer's and the struggle of her family. Of course the nature of the disease itself is sad this book is written in a way that leaves the reader feel a great deal of joy and understanding as well. The story is told partly by the one with the illness as she realizes what, she is doing and what she will lose. The characters though are wonderful, little three year old, Esther provides a great deal of comic relief.
Ultimately this is about the strong bond between mothers and daughters. How even though someone's path may be different the family they will be remembered by someone. Lastly, the enduring quality of love for those lucky enough to find it.
ARC from publisher.
Ultimately this is about the strong bond between mothers and daughters. How even though someone's path may be different the family they will be remembered by someone. Lastly, the enduring quality of love for those lucky enough to find it.
ARC from publisher.
January 10, 2015
I read some quote recently that a great book finishes too soon. Well that is certainly true here. I have had this book on my kindle for ages, but only decided to read it now due to my book club. Now I am annoyed with myself for waiting so long. This heart-breaking, beautiful, amusing in places book must be read by everyone. The last 10% was read through tears but now I need to go into a quiet room for a bit, digest everything I have just read and then tell my family how much I love them today xx
January 14, 2023
This was a very unexpected, sweet read. I stumbled across this author just this summer, and I quickly found more audio, and a physical copy of River Deepat the camp kitchen where I holidayed.
Heartbreakingly, single mum Claire begins to suffer memory loss. She meets the love of her life and marries. He is younger but loves her with a passion; they are a match in heaven, really. He doesn’t care about her mum jeans, extra rolls of tummy. He adores her.
Claire’s symptoms start a year after the wedding, and she is grasping how to deal with this extreme and sudden and accelerating form of early onset dementia. Her family love her dearly, they are supportive and caring, and her mother comes to stay. This is hard for a woman of her age, but when it comes down to it, her mum is loving and caring.
Claire’s eldest daughter is in college, husband Greg is a builder, and her youngest a rumbustious 3 year old. Heartbreaking scenes of Claire trying to be a together mum, baking a cake with her toddler without a recipe, and taking her for a walk outside. The illness progresses and she keeps getting lost outside of the home, being in danger and meeting strangers. Greg stays out working increasingly. She pushes her husband aside, it’s palpable the distance between them, so sad to see a life partner be discarded where previously there was so much love.
I love Claire’s work friend having a talk with her on her last day of school; Claire was a favourite and skilled English teacher. Losing her words was tragic but leaving her job necessary after forgetting what the steering wheel was and wiping out the mailbox outside of the school at busy pick up time. The words she used to explain how much she would be missed and to enjoy her freedom. I loved the scene where the shop keeper helped call her family when she was lost – the author did a fine job of immersing the reader into a world where a middle-aged woman was losing her mind, and her memory, and all that was dear.
The first third or so was quite slow, and then it did pick up, with a few side stories and an endearing twist along the way. This is a satisfying family drama with spots of laughter and funny bits too. Recommended reading, I’m happy to have found this author.
Heartbreakingly, single mum Claire begins to suffer memory loss. She meets the love of her life and marries. He is younger but loves her with a passion; they are a match in heaven, really. He doesn’t care about her mum jeans, extra rolls of tummy. He adores her.
Claire’s symptoms start a year after the wedding, and she is grasping how to deal with this extreme and sudden and accelerating form of early onset dementia. Her family love her dearly, they are supportive and caring, and her mother comes to stay. This is hard for a woman of her age, but when it comes down to it, her mum is loving and caring.
Claire’s eldest daughter is in college, husband Greg is a builder, and her youngest a rumbustious 3 year old. Heartbreaking scenes of Claire trying to be a together mum, baking a cake with her toddler without a recipe, and taking her for a walk outside. The illness progresses and she keeps getting lost outside of the home, being in danger and meeting strangers. Greg stays out working increasingly. She pushes her husband aside, it’s palpable the distance between them, so sad to see a life partner be discarded where previously there was so much love.
I love Claire’s work friend having a talk with her on her last day of school; Claire was a favourite and skilled English teacher. Losing her words was tragic but leaving her job necessary after forgetting what the steering wheel was and wiping out the mailbox outside of the school at busy pick up time. The words she used to explain how much she would be missed and to enjoy her freedom. I loved the scene where the shop keeper helped call her family when she was lost – the author did a fine job of immersing the reader into a world where a middle-aged woman was losing her mind, and her memory, and all that was dear.
The first third or so was quite slow, and then it did pick up, with a few side stories and an endearing twist along the way. This is a satisfying family drama with spots of laughter and funny bits too. Recommended reading, I’m happy to have found this author.
January 22, 2014
Claire is an intelligent, attractive forty-something. She's the mother to two gorgeous girls; Caitlin aged 20 and Esther aged three. Claire is married to the man of her dreams. Greg came along quite late in her life, she'd already raised Caitlin single handedly, she had a great job as an English teacher and owned her own home. She and Greg met, fell in love and are now married and the parents to the delicious Esther. Life is sweet.
And then, life decides to kick Claire in the teeth. She's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease - life is never going to be the same again. Claire and her mother Ruth know Alzheimer's very well. Claire's beloved father had the disease too, both of them know exactly what to expect.
Greg buys Claire a beautiful notebook - The Memory Book. Each of them will record their memories of the life that they had together; the good parts, the funny days, the important events. For Claire, this is her way of putting together everything that she feels define her and her life.
Rowan Coleman is an outstanding writer, The Memory Book is a story that is both heartbreakingly sad, yet wonderfully funny and uplifting at the same time. Claire and Caitlin narrate the majority of the story, with input from both Ruth and Greg along the way, and this enables the reader to glimpse back in time to experience the events that shaped Claire's life. We share her heartbreak and her joy, we are there when she finds her true love in Greg and we follow her step by step as her brain begins to let her down.
There is a real touch of emotional genius in this story, Rowan Coleman has portrayed the disjointed workings of Claire's damaged brain so well, both the gut wrenching sadness and grief and also the naughty mischief and almost childlike thought processes that bring the much appreciated light touch to the story.
The Memory Book was never going to be a 'happy ever after' read, the devastation of a cruel illness is central to the story. However, the tender writing, the joy and laughter - especially Claire's changing relationship with her tiny daughter Esther, and the fabulous characters make the heart soar.
There is a line quite near to the beginning of the book, spoken by Claire who is talking about her mother Ruth. This line says so much .... it made me cry;
"..... but I don't, because she is my mum, and I want her. And I know I will want her, even when I don't know that I do."
Rowan Coleman's writing gets better and better. There is no doubt that The Memory Book is her very best novel to date. It is a joy, and I will be recommending it to everyone that I meet.
Finally, I have to comment on the absolutely damn gorgeous cover. It fits the story perfectly. The complete book is a thing of great beauty, with delicate illustration on the inside cover too. I know a lot of my blogger friends have their copy as an ebook, and whilst I do appreciate that many people prefer to read on a Kindle, it is when a book as beautiful as this falls into my hands that I remind myself why I only read hard copies.
The Memory Book will proudly take it's place on my shelf of favourites, and I know that every time I pass the bookcase and glance over, I will see that flash of a red cover and be reminded of this exquisite story.
And then, life decides to kick Claire in the teeth. She's diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's Disease - life is never going to be the same again. Claire and her mother Ruth know Alzheimer's very well. Claire's beloved father had the disease too, both of them know exactly what to expect.
Greg buys Claire a beautiful notebook - The Memory Book. Each of them will record their memories of the life that they had together; the good parts, the funny days, the important events. For Claire, this is her way of putting together everything that she feels define her and her life.
Rowan Coleman is an outstanding writer, The Memory Book is a story that is both heartbreakingly sad, yet wonderfully funny and uplifting at the same time. Claire and Caitlin narrate the majority of the story, with input from both Ruth and Greg along the way, and this enables the reader to glimpse back in time to experience the events that shaped Claire's life. We share her heartbreak and her joy, we are there when she finds her true love in Greg and we follow her step by step as her brain begins to let her down.
There is a real touch of emotional genius in this story, Rowan Coleman has portrayed the disjointed workings of Claire's damaged brain so well, both the gut wrenching sadness and grief and also the naughty mischief and almost childlike thought processes that bring the much appreciated light touch to the story.
The Memory Book was never going to be a 'happy ever after' read, the devastation of a cruel illness is central to the story. However, the tender writing, the joy and laughter - especially Claire's changing relationship with her tiny daughter Esther, and the fabulous characters make the heart soar.
There is a line quite near to the beginning of the book, spoken by Claire who is talking about her mother Ruth. This line says so much .... it made me cry;
"..... but I don't, because she is my mum, and I want her. And I know I will want her, even when I don't know that I do."
Rowan Coleman's writing gets better and better. There is no doubt that The Memory Book is her very best novel to date. It is a joy, and I will be recommending it to everyone that I meet.
Finally, I have to comment on the absolutely damn gorgeous cover. It fits the story perfectly. The complete book is a thing of great beauty, with delicate illustration on the inside cover too. I know a lot of my blogger friends have their copy as an ebook, and whilst I do appreciate that many people prefer to read on a Kindle, it is when a book as beautiful as this falls into my hands that I remind myself why I only read hard copies.
The Memory Book will proudly take it's place on my shelf of favourites, and I know that every time I pass the bookcase and glance over, I will see that flash of a red cover and be reminded of this exquisite story.
April 13, 2017
Claire is in her forties when she is diagnosed the early onset Alzheimer’s, inherited from her father. Claire has a husband Greg who she met later in life. She also has two daughters, Caitlin who is 20 and Esther who is 3. Greg buys and gives Claire the memory book so she can write her memories, because they can just as easily disappear from her consciousness moments later. Sometimes her memory is such that she cannot even remember what a phone is called, how to work it or what the steering wheel is for. Some scenes as the present disappears and older memories surface or as she tries to make her escape from the care given her, are both funny and yet heartbreaking. If you can get through this book without resorting to tissues you will be doing better than me. This is a charming story that flits between the present and the memories Claire has. Memories of the first time she met Greg, of Caitlin’s birth, her prom and various other significant events.
‘The world is a nicer place when you care about people,’ one of the younger characters says in this novel. That is certainly the case in this novel. This family cares about each other. They do their best to try and come to terms with the hardship life has dealt not just Claire but all of them, including her mother Ruth who has come to help. Claire and Caitlin relate most of the story. With each chapter clearly labelled as to who is talking and dated when it is taking place it is easy to follow.
Yes, the theme of Alzheimer’s has been done before, but not quite like this. I was thoroughly involved in this book and kept wanting to get back to it. The characters came across as real and very likeable. There were a couple of minor things at the end that I felt didn’t quite work, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
‘The world is a nicer place when you care about people,’ one of the younger characters says in this novel. That is certainly the case in this novel. This family cares about each other. They do their best to try and come to terms with the hardship life has dealt not just Claire but all of them, including her mother Ruth who has come to help. Claire and Caitlin relate most of the story. With each chapter clearly labelled as to who is talking and dated when it is taking place it is easy to follow.
Yes, the theme of Alzheimer’s has been done before, but not quite like this. I was thoroughly involved in this book and kept wanting to get back to it. The characters came across as real and very likeable. There were a couple of minor things at the end that I felt didn’t quite work, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
March 1, 2014
2.5 stars.
Disappointed after all the hype and good reviews. I just didn't find it believable, and so many things didn't ring true. Can somebody who has completely lost the ability to read even simple sentences or a child's story book really still write perfectly eloquently in her Memory Book?
Lisa Genova's 'Still Alice' deals with similar subject matter so much more effectively and is an amazing novel which I still think about many months after finishing it.
I found myself skipping through several of the memory book passages as I found them boring.
Still, I'm obviously in the minority, as this book has one of the highest Goodreads ratings I've ever seen! Be a boring world if we all liked the same books, I guess.
Disappointed after all the hype and good reviews. I just didn't find it believable, and so many things didn't ring true. Can somebody who has completely lost the ability to read even simple sentences or a child's story book really still write perfectly eloquently in her Memory Book?
Lisa Genova's 'Still Alice' deals with similar subject matter so much more effectively and is an amazing novel which I still think about many months after finishing it.
I found myself skipping through several of the memory book passages as I found them boring.
Still, I'm obviously in the minority, as this book has one of the highest Goodreads ratings I've ever seen! Be a boring world if we all liked the same books, I guess.
May 29, 2015
I'd rate this 4.5 stars.
So if you're averse to getting all choked up when reading a novel, even perhaps crying your eyes out at least a little bit, this is not a book for you. But it's one you shouldn't miss.
Claire has always been a free spirit, practically from the day she was born. She raised her older daughter Caitlin practically on her own, excelled in her career, and never expected to find love until Greg, a contractor, came to do some work on her house. But she was utterly smitten, and it wasn't long before the two had a child of their own, outspoken, three-year-old Esther.
It seemed the perfect life, at least until Claire was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. And while at first Claire felt things slipping away gradually, her decline becomes more rapid than anyone expected. Suddenly her mother has moved in to help care for Claire, she's not allowed to leave the house on her own or do much of anything she wants to, and much to everyone's chagrin, she doesn't feel comfortable around Greg anymore, even though she knows she is supposed to love him and that they had built a life together.
As Claire's condition further deteriorates, she discovers that 20-year-old Caitlin has secrets of her own, although they are no match for Claire's own secret involving Caitlin. And when Claire has a chance meeting with a handsome man in a café, it causes her to experience feelings she didn't think she ever would again, feelings she wants to hold onto as long as she can.
The Day We Met is a tremendously poignant and moving account of one woman's fight to hold on to her life and her memories as long as she can, and her struggles not to disappoint those around her. It's also the story of how her illness affects those she holds most dear, the wounds her condition causes, and how you can continue to be courageous in the face of bleakness. But more than that, this is a beautiful story of love, both between people and simply the need to find and hold on to it as long as you can.
While comparisons to Lisa Genova's Still Alice are certainly inevitable, and both books left me an emotional mess, what sets the two books apart is this is a more purely emotional account, without the clinical aspects of Genova's book. Claire is a much less passive character than Alice was further into her diagnosis. And I felt this book was much more willing to paint Claire as not entirely sympathetic—even though her condition was causing her to act a certain way, you didn't need to like everything she said or did.
Rowan Coleman has written a book to savor and think about, and one to cherish, as it is as lovely as it is sad.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
So if you're averse to getting all choked up when reading a novel, even perhaps crying your eyes out at least a little bit, this is not a book for you. But it's one you shouldn't miss.
Claire has always been a free spirit, practically from the day she was born. She raised her older daughter Caitlin practically on her own, excelled in her career, and never expected to find love until Greg, a contractor, came to do some work on her house. But she was utterly smitten, and it wasn't long before the two had a child of their own, outspoken, three-year-old Esther.
It seemed the perfect life, at least until Claire was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. And while at first Claire felt things slipping away gradually, her decline becomes more rapid than anyone expected. Suddenly her mother has moved in to help care for Claire, she's not allowed to leave the house on her own or do much of anything she wants to, and much to everyone's chagrin, she doesn't feel comfortable around Greg anymore, even though she knows she is supposed to love him and that they had built a life together.
As Claire's condition further deteriorates, she discovers that 20-year-old Caitlin has secrets of her own, although they are no match for Claire's own secret involving Caitlin. And when Claire has a chance meeting with a handsome man in a café, it causes her to experience feelings she didn't think she ever would again, feelings she wants to hold onto as long as she can.
The Day We Met is a tremendously poignant and moving account of one woman's fight to hold on to her life and her memories as long as she can, and her struggles not to disappoint those around her. It's also the story of how her illness affects those she holds most dear, the wounds her condition causes, and how you can continue to be courageous in the face of bleakness. But more than that, this is a beautiful story of love, both between people and simply the need to find and hold on to it as long as you can.
While comparisons to Lisa Genova's Still Alice are certainly inevitable, and both books left me an emotional mess, what sets the two books apart is this is a more purely emotional account, without the clinical aspects of Genova's book. Claire is a much less passive character than Alice was further into her diagnosis. And I felt this book was much more willing to paint Claire as not entirely sympathetic—even though her condition was causing her to act a certain way, you didn't need to like everything she said or did.
Rowan Coleman has written a book to savor and think about, and one to cherish, as it is as lovely as it is sad.
See all of my reviews at http://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blo....
June 17, 2015
Here we go again: another book receiving glowing accolades & a 4 star average rating that I would rate a mere 2.5 stars. I do think that I would've enjoyed this book much more were I at a different stage in my life...ten years or more ago when I preferred my books lighter and neatly finished, leaving me with a good feeling. To me this felt too shiny in places and wrapped up very sweetly in the end. This is a story with a very serious subject matter, the treatment of which I can only describe as fluffy. A topic that most would deem heart wrenching was too polished and frankly, it was not believable for the main character to vacillate between deep confusion and being cogent, sometimes in the same scene. I understand it served the plot well, but it gave the story the feel of a Hallmark special...as did several other convenient occurrences with in the story.
*The few reviews of this book that I have read that aren't rave reviews compare it to Still Alice by Lisa Genova, a book that was raw, gritty and full of difficult emotions. I never found myself thinking of Still Alice while reading this because the two books are so different. I believe I read this without comparing the two.
*The few reviews of this book that I have read that aren't rave reviews compare it to Still Alice by Lisa Genova, a book that was raw, gritty and full of difficult emotions. I never found myself thinking of Still Alice while reading this because the two books are so different. I believe I read this without comparing the two.
October 23, 2021
Sehr berührend! Diese Geschichte wird noch einige Zeit nachhallen.
August 29, 2018
Eine schöne und berührende Geschichte 😊
March 27, 2015
The Day We Met is the story of Claire, who is suffering from early onset alzheimer's disease. Shared memories of Claire's life are written in a memory book by Greg, Claire's husband, Caitlin, her eldest daughter, and Claire's mother, Ruth.This is an emotional read.
October 6, 2019
I loved the way this novel takes a heavy topic — a woman’s struggle against early onset Alzheimer’s — and makes it something other than completely depressing. The book explores the relationships between Alzheimer’s victim Claire and her mother, husband, and two daughters. All the relationships take on more depth as the story moves between the present and flashbacks to the past. By celebrating life’s little moments, Cowan strike lovely little notes of hope — not that Claire will escape the disease, but through the idea that what we love, we never truly lose.
September 8, 2015
I had been looking forward to reading this book for so long and now that I have read it, I’ve been putting off posting my review as nothing I can say will do justice to this fabulous book.
Claire and Greg are very much in love and have only been married for a few short years. Together they have a 3 year old daughter Esther and Claire has a 20 year daughter, Caitlin, from a previous relationship. All seems perfect, except that it isn’t any longer. Claire has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and the tragedy is that both Claire and her mother both know exactly what to expect as the same disease claimed Claire’s father. They both know that Claire’s memory will be taken away from her piece by piece so that eventually she will not even recognise her own children.
Claire is an independent and feisty woman and tries to fight the disease with all she has. She raised Caitlin single handedly and has a daughter to be proud of. As the disease progresses she has to give up her much loved job as a teacher and Ruth, her mother, moves in with the family to help care for her. There are times when Claire even forgets where she lives and for her own safety, her home also becomes her prison. It was heart-breaking to see the disease taking hold so quickly - not only was she unable to remember the names of everyday items, or read a bedtime story to Esther but even her husband Greg becomes a stranger to her.
The ‘Memory Book’ of the title is a large red journal that Greg buys for Claire so that all the family can record their memories and keepsakes. Claire is encouraged to record her thoughts and memories before they leave her completely and as she begins this process, we learn more about her past life and how she has become the person she is today. It also gives greater insight into her relationships with her mother and Greg.
The narration is mainly shared by Claire and daughter Caitlin with the occasional chapter by Ruth and Greg. Both Claire and Caitlin have their own secrets which they are keeping from each other and when these are exposed, the family faces being torn apart.
I knew this book was going to be a tearjerker and there were times when I was sobbing whilst reading this. My mother suffered from a form of dementia before she died and Claire’s times of lucidity and confusion bought back painful memories for me. However, although poignant, the book isn’t all about sadness. There are many moments of laughter and I loved Claire’s feisty nature and sense of fun, especially when she was trying to outwit her mother and escape!
This is not just a book about Alzheimer’s, it’s also about the love between mothers and daughters and families and the bonds that can never be broken no matter how testing the circumstances.
I’m not normally a gusher but this book has a gorgeous cover containing a wonderful and heartrending story. Rowan Coleman has written a truly stunning book.
Claire and Greg are very much in love and have only been married for a few short years. Together they have a 3 year old daughter Esther and Claire has a 20 year daughter, Caitlin, from a previous relationship. All seems perfect, except that it isn’t any longer. Claire has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s and the tragedy is that both Claire and her mother both know exactly what to expect as the same disease claimed Claire’s father. They both know that Claire’s memory will be taken away from her piece by piece so that eventually she will not even recognise her own children.
Claire is an independent and feisty woman and tries to fight the disease with all she has. She raised Caitlin single handedly and has a daughter to be proud of. As the disease progresses she has to give up her much loved job as a teacher and Ruth, her mother, moves in with the family to help care for her. There are times when Claire even forgets where she lives and for her own safety, her home also becomes her prison. It was heart-breaking to see the disease taking hold so quickly - not only was she unable to remember the names of everyday items, or read a bedtime story to Esther but even her husband Greg becomes a stranger to her.
The ‘Memory Book’ of the title is a large red journal that Greg buys for Claire so that all the family can record their memories and keepsakes. Claire is encouraged to record her thoughts and memories before they leave her completely and as she begins this process, we learn more about her past life and how she has become the person she is today. It also gives greater insight into her relationships with her mother and Greg.
The narration is mainly shared by Claire and daughter Caitlin with the occasional chapter by Ruth and Greg. Both Claire and Caitlin have their own secrets which they are keeping from each other and when these are exposed, the family faces being torn apart.
I knew this book was going to be a tearjerker and there were times when I was sobbing whilst reading this. My mother suffered from a form of dementia before she died and Claire’s times of lucidity and confusion bought back painful memories for me. However, although poignant, the book isn’t all about sadness. There are many moments of laughter and I loved Claire’s feisty nature and sense of fun, especially when she was trying to outwit her mother and escape!
This is not just a book about Alzheimer’s, it’s also about the love between mothers and daughters and families and the bonds that can never be broken no matter how testing the circumstances.
I’m not normally a gusher but this book has a gorgeous cover containing a wonderful and heartrending story. Rowan Coleman has written a truly stunning book.
January 19, 2015
It's late and I've just finished reading with tears in my eyes so will reflect and review properly in the morning but just say Oh My God!!! 5 stars just isn't enough credit for this book
Rowan Coleman is truly a star
Okay I've slept and reflected so here is my full review....
Oh wow!! I read this following several friends recommendations and after a week of heading to bed early with my kindle finished late last night with tears in my eyes. This is such a stunning book following the lives of Claire who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's and her family (husband Greg, grown up daughter Caitlin, 3yr old daughter Esther and her mum Ruth). As each of the family deal with the symptoms of Claire's illness in their own way the adventures unfold onto the pages. Rowan Coleman's portrayal of this cruel illness is spot on and on many occasions brought tears to my eyes remembering my grandmother going through similar incidents. I loved the way the story split into different perspectives of the different characters and also the input stories of the Memory Book the family are compiling to help Claire regain the information as its stolen away by the Alzheimer's
A truly magnificent book that I'd recommend to several friends and family worthy of far more than the five stars I'm limited to giving it.
Rowan Coleman is truly a star
Okay I've slept and reflected so here is my full review....
Oh wow!! I read this following several friends recommendations and after a week of heading to bed early with my kindle finished late last night with tears in my eyes. This is such a stunning book following the lives of Claire who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's and her family (husband Greg, grown up daughter Caitlin, 3yr old daughter Esther and her mum Ruth). As each of the family deal with the symptoms of Claire's illness in their own way the adventures unfold onto the pages. Rowan Coleman's portrayal of this cruel illness is spot on and on many occasions brought tears to my eyes remembering my grandmother going through similar incidents. I loved the way the story split into different perspectives of the different characters and also the input stories of the Memory Book the family are compiling to help Claire regain the information as its stolen away by the Alzheimer's
A truly magnificent book that I'd recommend to several friends and family worthy of far more than the five stars I'm limited to giving it.
December 20, 2020
Was für eine berührende aber für mich persönlich auch herausfordernde Geschichte! Das Thema ist keine "leichte Kost" und wird mir ewig im Gedächtnis bleiben.
April 24, 2015
I forgot I had this on my Kindle so I read it as fast as I could.
I have to say, this book is very sad, very emotional and very tearful. It also holds hope.
Claire, who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and we get to meet her entire family and how they interact with each other.
What a truly inspirational woman Claire was, she was a fighter she refused to lay down and just accept what fate had dealt her.
The relationship between her youngest was especially touching at times.
I have to say, its not all doom and gloom and has some positive things in here as well as some fun moments.
This book really makes you THINK and take stock of life.
No one knows how long we have.
Brilliant read.
My thanks goes to Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book
I have to say, this book is very sad, very emotional and very tearful. It also holds hope.
Claire, who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, and we get to meet her entire family and how they interact with each other.
What a truly inspirational woman Claire was, she was a fighter she refused to lay down and just accept what fate had dealt her.
The relationship between her youngest was especially touching at times.
I have to say, its not all doom and gloom and has some positive things in here as well as some fun moments.
This book really makes you THINK and take stock of life.
No one knows how long we have.
Brilliant read.
My thanks goes to Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book
April 21, 2015
The cover of this book says, "As with Me Before you by Jojo Moyes, I couldn't put this down." I mean, really? That is a BOLD statement in my opinion and one that perhaps set this book up to be more than it was. First of all, this book is about a women who has early onset Alzheimer's which is HORRIBLY depressing. (have you read Still Alice?) But its weird because this book wasn't really depressing. It was--I don't even know. Anyway, something must be wrong with me because as of now, this book currently has 4.17 stars, so maybe don't take my word for it and read it yourself.
May 16, 2015
I can see why this book has a lot of high ratings. The Day We Met is an emotional read with great characters. It is also a story of love, family, Alzheimer's Disease and recollections. A good read but fell a little short for me. 3.5 stars
January 9, 2018
This is another book that has sat on my kindle for far too long and that I read over Christmas during my kindle spring clean. I think I had been putting this one off since reading The Summer of Impossible Things, which I read last year and was in my top 3 reads of 2017. The reason I put The Memory Book off was because I was rather worried about reading it! This author seems to have an uncanny knack of bringing out very deeply hidden emotions in me-deeply hidden for a reason because I’m a very emotional person at the best of time and when those walls come down…..well, let’s just say it’s not a pretty sight! And if I had read this book when it first came out then it would still have left me a snotty, swollen eyed mess but last year something happened in my own life to make me totally empathise with Claire as she struggled to cope with her early onset Alzheimer’s.
Claire’s story really did touch me very deeply indeed. I was able to relate to her wonderfully warm and inspiring storyline in a way that I hadn’t expected and came to absolutely adore her. I also knew that there would be no magic cure for her early onset dementia and to watch her struggle with the relationships she had with her husband, her mother and her two wonderful daughters broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces. Her story is beautifully told here with the emphasis on the unconditional love of a mother for her child. I highlighted so many phrases in this book but I think my favourite, and the one that summed it up best for me, was “mums are warriors: they might be knocked down, but they always get back up”. And that simple observation perfectly portrayed the battle that Claire, alongside own mother Ruth and her daughter Caitlin, faced as Claire’s illness developed.
I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want this book to end. But when it did, I was left feeling devasted but strangely uplifted and very privileged to have felt a part of Claire’s story. Rowan Coleman writes so beautifully about such an emotive and sensitive subject that once again she held my broken heart in her hands as she weaved her magic and I love her for it!
Very highly recommended by me!
Claire’s story really did touch me very deeply indeed. I was able to relate to her wonderfully warm and inspiring storyline in a way that I hadn’t expected and came to absolutely adore her. I also knew that there would be no magic cure for her early onset dementia and to watch her struggle with the relationships she had with her husband, her mother and her two wonderful daughters broke my heart into a thousand tiny pieces. Her story is beautifully told here with the emphasis on the unconditional love of a mother for her child. I highlighted so many phrases in this book but I think my favourite, and the one that summed it up best for me, was “mums are warriors: they might be knocked down, but they always get back up”. And that simple observation perfectly portrayed the battle that Claire, alongside own mother Ruth and her daughter Caitlin, faced as Claire’s illness developed.
I laughed, I cried and I didn’t want this book to end. But when it did, I was left feeling devasted but strangely uplifted and very privileged to have felt a part of Claire’s story. Rowan Coleman writes so beautifully about such an emotive and sensitive subject that once again she held my broken heart in her hands as she weaved her magic and I love her for it!
Very highly recommended by me!
January 27, 2014
Dearest Rose, published by Arrow in September 2012, was one of my favourite reads of last year. If you haven’t already read it, you really must. Having discovered Rowan Coleman's writing through that wonderful book - and realising I'd shamefully overlooked nine more - I just couldn’t wait for the release of The Memory Book. There were a tantalising few chapters at the end of my Kindle version of Woman Walks Into A Bar – 100% of the proceeds of which the author donated to Refuge, the domestic abuse charity – which had me in tears, and the ensuing wait has been really frustrating. So this is – with no apologies – going to be another one of those gushing reviews. This book was all I hoped it would be, and so much more.
Claire has early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. She’s bright, attractive, intelligent and witty, recently married to the man of her dreams in gorgeous builder Greg and the loving mother of 20 year old Caitlin and three year old Esther. But everything is slipping away – she’s had to give up her job as an English teacher, she can’t find her way back to her own home, she’s losing the ability to find words or to read to her young daughter, and she’s forgetting how much she loves her husband. Her mother Ruth has moved in to care for her – she knows what to expect, having lost her husband in the same way, and the relationship between her and her daughter is a loving but difficult one.
Greg gives Claire a notebook, where everyone can capture their memories – the book is interspersed with stories told from various perspectives, some funny and some unbearably sad. Claire also adds mementos from her past – the bits and pieces that we all have that capture the key moments in our lives. And against all this – all the immensely sad and very funny memories – there’s another family crisis to deal with.
If all this sounds dark and depressing, I need to dispel that impression straight away. While there is immense sadness here, there’s also a tremendous amount of humour – Claire retains her wit and sense of fun, and her attempts to escape from captivity and her disjointed conversations really have you laughing out loud through all the tears. This is a book with love on every page – your heart will break for Greg, the man she has forgotten how to love, and there are some quite wonderful moments with her mother and her daughters.
I think I’m a little in love with Rowan Coleman. She writes quite perfectly, the humour and sadness beautifully balanced – it might only be January, but I have no shadow of doubt that this will be one of my books of the year. The introduction to my advance reading copy says “perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes” – much as I also love Jojo’s books, this one will win over an army of new fans for Rowan Coleman. This book was unadulterated reading pleasure from beginning to end.
Claire has early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. She’s bright, attractive, intelligent and witty, recently married to the man of her dreams in gorgeous builder Greg and the loving mother of 20 year old Caitlin and three year old Esther. But everything is slipping away – she’s had to give up her job as an English teacher, she can’t find her way back to her own home, she’s losing the ability to find words or to read to her young daughter, and she’s forgetting how much she loves her husband. Her mother Ruth has moved in to care for her – she knows what to expect, having lost her husband in the same way, and the relationship between her and her daughter is a loving but difficult one.
Greg gives Claire a notebook, where everyone can capture their memories – the book is interspersed with stories told from various perspectives, some funny and some unbearably sad. Claire also adds mementos from her past – the bits and pieces that we all have that capture the key moments in our lives. And against all this – all the immensely sad and very funny memories – there’s another family crisis to deal with.
If all this sounds dark and depressing, I need to dispel that impression straight away. While there is immense sadness here, there’s also a tremendous amount of humour – Claire retains her wit and sense of fun, and her attempts to escape from captivity and her disjointed conversations really have you laughing out loud through all the tears. This is a book with love on every page – your heart will break for Greg, the man she has forgotten how to love, and there are some quite wonderful moments with her mother and her daughters.
I think I’m a little in love with Rowan Coleman. She writes quite perfectly, the humour and sadness beautifully balanced – it might only be January, but I have no shadow of doubt that this will be one of my books of the year. The introduction to my advance reading copy says “perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes” – much as I also love Jojo’s books, this one will win over an army of new fans for Rowan Coleman. This book was unadulterated reading pleasure from beginning to end.
July 14, 2015
Claire is a bit of a free spirit. Once a single mother, she finally met Greg, the love of her life. Together they have a 3 year old daughter, Esther. It took a little time but Claire's daughter Caitlin, now a university student, accepted Greg as a stepfather. Sadly, Claire has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. She is recording her life in a scrapbook of family memories. Her mother has moved in, as Claire cannot be trusted to go out on her own. Caitlin is struggling with her own personal issues, and Claire is no longer the mother she once was. Told through alternating voices of Claire, Caitlin and Greg, you journey with them as they navigate the heartaches of Claire's Alzheimer's. A touching story of dealing with the struggles of life, and finding moments of joy and connection in the small victories of each day. It's about unconditional love, and commitment to family.
Really 4.5 stars.
I won through the goodreads giveaways.
Really 4.5 stars.
I won through the goodreads giveaways.
March 25, 2014
I LOVED this book!!! It is my favorite Rowan Coleman book so far. Claire diagnosed with Alzheimer's at a young age, is newly married with two children(one of them only three.) It broke my heart how she couldn't remember her husband and then when she met the mysterious man, I felt horrible for her husband. This book touched me and brought to light that this disease affects not only the person, but their loved ones. This book is happy and sad all at once. I can't stop thinking about the family and wondering what they are up to.
May 17, 2016
"Mame bi trebale da štite svoju decu od svega što može da ih povredi, ali moraju i da im vjeruju da će živeti na najbolji mogući način; i mora da vjeruje da oni mogu da uspiju i kada ih ne drži za ruku."
"Svet je pun ljudi koji će pokušati da ti pokvare radost, i pun je stvari koje će te rastužiti i razljutiti. Ali to su samo ljudi i stvari, a ti, ti si igračica. Igrači nikada ne budu poraženi."
"Ne plašim se ja bolesti niti nepoznatog, mračnog i divnog sveta u koji me vodi, već se plašim spoznaje da okrećem leđa ljudima koje volim i da ništa ne mogu da učinim da bih to promenila."
:'( :'(
"Svet je pun ljudi koji će pokušati da ti pokvare radost, i pun je stvari koje će te rastužiti i razljutiti. Ali to su samo ljudi i stvari, a ti, ti si igračica. Igrači nikada ne budu poraženi."
"Ne plašim se ja bolesti niti nepoznatog, mračnog i divnog sveta u koji me vodi, već se plašim spoznaje da okrećem leđa ljudima koje volim i da ništa ne mogu da učinim da bih to promenila."
:'( :'(
February 10, 2024
Übersetzt von Marieke Heimburger
Eine herzergreifende Geschichte über Claire, die früh an Alzheimer erkrankt, und die daraus resultierenden Herausforderungen für ihre Familie. Die Protagonistin, deren Perspektive teilweise erzählt wird, kämpft nicht nur mit der schmerzhaften Realisierung ihrer Erkrankung, sondern auch mit dem Verlust von Erinnerungen und der Veränderung ihrer Beziehungen.
Die Geschichte ist bewegend, da sie nicht nur die traurigen Aspekte der Krankheit beleuchtet, sondern auch Freude und Verständnis in den Vordergrund rückt. Die Autorin schafft es, humorvolle Momente geschickt einzuflechten, was dem Buch eine ausgewogene Mischung aus Emotionen verleiht.
Die Autorin betont sehr stark die Bindung zwischen Müttern und Töchtern. Das Buch hebt hervor, dass, selbst wenn die Lebenswege unterschiedlich verlaufen, die familiären Bande niemals vergessen werden. Die Autorin präsentiert die Geschichte nicht nur aus der Perspektive der erkrankten Claire, sondern lässt auch Einblicke in die Emotionen und Herausforderungen ihrer Familie zu. Die Beziehung zu ihrem Ehemann wird durch die fortschreitende Krankheit besonders stark in Mitleidenschaft gezogen, was mir sehr nahe ging, da sein Schmerz gut transportiert wurde. Den Twist am Ende habe ich zwar sehr früh schon kommen sehen und ich empfand ihn etwas kitschig, aber trotzdem nicht schlecht.
Die Darstellung der schnell fortschreitenden Form von früh einsetzendem Alzheimer verleiht dem Buch sehr viele dramatische Momente. Die Autorin beschreibt den mühsamen Prozess der Krankheitsbewältigung und verdeutlicht, wie diese die Beziehungen innerhalb der Familie beeinflusst. Zu Beginn empfand ich die Story etwas zu langatmig, was sich zum Ende hin aber zum Glück hebt, da ein weiterer Aspekt hinzukommt, welcher Spannung in die Geschichte brachte.
Insgesamt ist 'Einfach unvergesslich' von Rowan Coleman ein berührendes Buch, das nicht nur die Schwere der Alzheimer-Erkrankung zeigt, sondern auch die Kraft der Familie und die Bedeutung von Erinnerungen hervorhebt. Eine empfehlenswerte Lektüre für Lesende, die nach einer emotionalen und zugleich hoffnungsvollen Geschichte suchen.
Eine herzergreifende Geschichte über Claire, die früh an Alzheimer erkrankt, und die daraus resultierenden Herausforderungen für ihre Familie. Die Protagonistin, deren Perspektive teilweise erzählt wird, kämpft nicht nur mit der schmerzhaften Realisierung ihrer Erkrankung, sondern auch mit dem Verlust von Erinnerungen und der Veränderung ihrer Beziehungen.
Die Geschichte ist bewegend, da sie nicht nur die traurigen Aspekte der Krankheit beleuchtet, sondern auch Freude und Verständnis in den Vordergrund rückt. Die Autorin schafft es, humorvolle Momente geschickt einzuflechten, was dem Buch eine ausgewogene Mischung aus Emotionen verleiht.
Die Autorin betont sehr stark die Bindung zwischen Müttern und Töchtern. Das Buch hebt hervor, dass, selbst wenn die Lebenswege unterschiedlich verlaufen, die familiären Bande niemals vergessen werden. Die Autorin präsentiert die Geschichte nicht nur aus der Perspektive der erkrankten Claire, sondern lässt auch Einblicke in die Emotionen und Herausforderungen ihrer Familie zu. Die Beziehung zu ihrem Ehemann wird durch die fortschreitende Krankheit besonders stark in Mitleidenschaft gezogen, was mir sehr nahe ging, da sein Schmerz gut transportiert wurde. Den Twist am Ende habe ich zwar sehr früh schon kommen sehen und ich empfand ihn etwas kitschig, aber trotzdem nicht schlecht.
Die Darstellung der schnell fortschreitenden Form von früh einsetzendem Alzheimer verleiht dem Buch sehr viele dramatische Momente. Die Autorin beschreibt den mühsamen Prozess der Krankheitsbewältigung und verdeutlicht, wie diese die Beziehungen innerhalb der Familie beeinflusst. Zu Beginn empfand ich die Story etwas zu langatmig, was sich zum Ende hin aber zum Glück hebt, da ein weiterer Aspekt hinzukommt, welcher Spannung in die Geschichte brachte.
Insgesamt ist 'Einfach unvergesslich' von Rowan Coleman ein berührendes Buch, das nicht nur die Schwere der Alzheimer-Erkrankung zeigt, sondern auch die Kraft der Familie und die Bedeutung von Erinnerungen hervorhebt. Eine empfehlenswerte Lektüre für Lesende, die nach einer emotionalen und zugleich hoffnungsvollen Geschichte suchen.
August 27, 2014
This is my favourite read of the year so far and to be honest I think it will probably take some beating - it is just that good. I am already telling everyone I know who reads to buy it and read it, with a large box of tissues by the side!
It is the story of Claire who is 40 and married to Greg who is 10 years younger than her. They have a daughter Esther who is 3 and Claire has a daughter Caitlin who is 20 who she brought up as a single parent. They also live with her mother Ruth, who has come to live with them to care for Claire who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. The Memory Book of the title is the book they all contribute to in an attempt to get down everyone's memories of her, and particularly her own memories before they all disappear.
What follows is a really emotional read. At times I had tears in my eyes at the unfairness of it all. This is just a normal family facing a horrendous nightmare, and their very normality brought it home that this could happen to anyone. It is not all doom and gloom though, there are some quite humorous moments and Claire herself admits to having a gallows humour. Having said that, she is never made to look like a figure of fun, the author treats her and her condition with respect.
We watch her as she tries her hardest to pin down her memories with the help of the book and her mother. We watch Caitlin trying to help her mother, but she has her own problems to deal with which she cannot bring herself to burden anyone else with. Worse of all, for me, was watching Greg deal with losing his wife so soon as already she seems to have forgotten that he is the love of her love.
It is a wonderful, emotional read which moves very fluidly towards an ending that was just sublime. The author ended it in just the perfect way as far as I am concerned. Tissues definitely a must.
Many many thanks for the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest unbiased opinion.
It is the story of Claire who is 40 and married to Greg who is 10 years younger than her. They have a daughter Esther who is 3 and Claire has a daughter Caitlin who is 20 who she brought up as a single parent. They also live with her mother Ruth, who has come to live with them to care for Claire who has been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. The Memory Book of the title is the book they all contribute to in an attempt to get down everyone's memories of her, and particularly her own memories before they all disappear.
What follows is a really emotional read. At times I had tears in my eyes at the unfairness of it all. This is just a normal family facing a horrendous nightmare, and their very normality brought it home that this could happen to anyone. It is not all doom and gloom though, there are some quite humorous moments and Claire herself admits to having a gallows humour. Having said that, she is never made to look like a figure of fun, the author treats her and her condition with respect.
We watch her as she tries her hardest to pin down her memories with the help of the book and her mother. We watch Caitlin trying to help her mother, but she has her own problems to deal with which she cannot bring herself to burden anyone else with. Worse of all, for me, was watching Greg deal with losing his wife so soon as already she seems to have forgotten that he is the love of her love.
It is a wonderful, emotional read which moves very fluidly towards an ending that was just sublime. The author ended it in just the perfect way as far as I am concerned. Tissues definitely a must.
Many many thanks for the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest unbiased opinion.
February 7, 2017
This for me was a fairly good read, but in my opinion, could have been rather a lot better. The book's main focus, is on the devastating and cruel disease, that we all know as Alzheimers. I have worked with individual's with Alzheimers for many year's and I am at this moment losing a close family member to it too. I lose a bit of them with each day that passes. With that said, some of the thing's in the story are not quite believable for me.
Such as, if an Alzheimers sufferer loses the ability to read a simple children's book, this probably means that they will lose the ability to write too. In the book, Claire, who is suffering from the disease, could still write many pages in the memory book, but couldn't read a simple book to her daughter.
I found the other characters well thought through, but unfortunately the book was all over the place for me. I think the subject matter could have been dealt with more poignantly.
Such as, if an Alzheimers sufferer loses the ability to read a simple children's book, this probably means that they will lose the ability to write too. In the book, Claire, who is suffering from the disease, could still write many pages in the memory book, but couldn't read a simple book to her daughter.
I found the other characters well thought through, but unfortunately the book was all over the place for me. I think the subject matter could have been dealt with more poignantly.
November 18, 2019
Ein Buch, das Überwindung kostet und zwar jedesmal, wenn man es in die Hand nimmt. Ein Schicksal, dass einen nicht kalt lässt. Die Wendung hat man durchaus kommen sehen, hat der ganzen Sache aber in keinster Weise einen Abbruch getan.
May 4, 2015
I enjoyed this book until the last 20 pages. What a silly twist with the Greg / Ryan business! Ruined it for me.
April 14, 2018
Just a bit to sickly and untrue for me
September 10, 2017
I HATE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. This is an incredibly touching novel. I loved the mother/daughter theme when I thought the love story was going to be the main theme. That plays a bit more at the fringes of the storyline, but it is still very well done. Something is holding me back from giving this 5 stars. Not sure what exactly it is - more a gut reaction. Perhaps it is because this is a difficult topic for me; it hits close to home. No matter the reason, I am glad I read this book. But, it was really, really hard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 995 reviews