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Memory Weavers
From her office in Manhattan, Hadley is preparing for her twenty-second wedding anniversary. She surprises her husband, Bergen, with a gift to get their genomes sequenced to proactively counter any disease risks.
In the East Village, twenty-seven-year-old Rachel reluctantly goes to therapy for her panic attacks and flashbacks from a college rape. Her mother is overprotective, and her father has left the family.
When the genome results come back, Hadley learns her fate and spirals into depression. Her family struggles to help while grieving her mental decline.
Rachel and Hadley meet in the therapist's waiting room. One woman is desperately holding onto her memories, while the other tries to banish them. They form a supportive friendship, each filling a void in the other's life. As their bond strengthens, both struggle with suicidal ideations, threatening their progress.
In the East Village, twenty-seven-year-old Rachel reluctantly goes to therapy for her panic attacks and flashbacks from a college rape. Her mother is overprotective, and her father has left the family.
When the genome results come back, Hadley learns her fate and spirals into depression. Her family struggles to help while grieving her mental decline.
Rachel and Hadley meet in the therapist's waiting room. One woman is desperately holding onto her memories, while the other tries to banish them. They form a supportive friendship, each filling a void in the other's life. As their bond strengthens, both struggle with suicidal ideations, threatening their progress.
274 pages, Paperback
Published March 12, 2025
8 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 4, 2025
Memory Weavers is a deeply emotional story that feels incredibly personal. Our two protagonists are seemingly unconnected until they develop an odd friendship through the waiting room of their therapists' office. This story touched me in a way I'll be thinking about for weeks. It's the kind of book that's hard to explain to friends and family - unless you're a reader or writer yourself and understand the joy of a true tearjerker, which is exactly what this was. I found myself so invested in these women and their recovery. I was waiting for some miracle, something that doesn't happen to Alzheimer's patients, something to turn everything around, only to watch Hadley fall deeper into her dementia.
There were moments in both Hadley's and Rachel's journey I thought would be bigger. I wanted to see Rachel feel safe in her home again. I wanted to see what success looked like for her in recovery. I wanted to see Hadley in a moment of lucidity and realize she has been gone, away from her family and cope with what her family has dealt with these last months. This would have made a huge impact to my reading experience. It's for those reasons I couldn't give this a full five stars despite the emotional impact of the story. I will still be recommending this book because it literally made me sob when I finished it.
There were moments in both Hadley's and Rachel's journey I thought would be bigger. I wanted to see Rachel feel safe in her home again. I wanted to see what success looked like for her in recovery. I wanted to see Hadley in a moment of lucidity and realize she has been gone, away from her family and cope with what her family has dealt with these last months. This would have made a huge impact to my reading experience. It's for those reasons I couldn't give this a full five stars despite the emotional impact of the story. I will still be recommending this book because it literally made me sob when I finished it.
February 20, 2025
Muffy Walker’s Memory Weavers intertwines the lives of two protagonists, Rachel, a young woman grappling with the shadows of past trauma, and Hadley, a driven professional navigating memory loss amidst an outwardly perfect life. The narrative alternates between their perspectives, weaving a rich tapestry of heartbreak, resilience, and self-discovery. Through Rachel’s struggles with PTSD and Hadley’s unraveling as she confronts the gaps in her memory, the book explores the fragility of identity and the ways we confront pain to reclaim ourselves.
Walker’s prose is sharp and evocative, and the opening scene with Rachel and her dying friend Hadley is beautifully intimate, setting the stage with raw vulnerability. You can almost feel the texture of the lavender oil and the unspoken words between them. Some sections, such as Rachel’s detailed recounting of a failed Tinder date or Hadley’s over-meticulous party planning, seemed slower for me, and I found myself wishing the narrative would stick more to the emotional core rather than veering into minutiae.
The themes Walker addresses, such as trauma, memory, and the fight for autonomy, are deeply moving, but there’s a subtle imbalance in execution. Rachel’s chapters are heartrending, particularly the vivid depiction of her PTSD triggers, like when the scent of aftershave catapults her into a flashback. These moments feel visceral, raw, and uncomfortably real. Hadley’s storyline, on the other hand, didn’t quite grip me as much. While the GenSeq DNA-testing subplot is intriguing, the emotional stakes felt diluted compared to Rachel’s journey. That said, Hadley’s reflection on a photograph she can’t remember, a Sanibel beach trip with her family, is haunting and relatable, a quiet metaphor for her unraveling.
Walker’s strength lies in her portrayal of female friendships and the quiet, sustaining power they hold. Rachel’s relationship with Mandy is a standout, embodying unwavering support and warmth. Even Rachel’s occasional prickliness doesn’t diminish the sincerity of their bond. On the flip side, Hadley’s interactions with her friends feel more performative, offering a subtle critique of the superficiality that can exist in seemingly perfect lives. These contrasts enrich the novel’s exploration of connection and authenticity.
By the end, Memory Weavers left me reflective. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from pain but also offers a glimmer of hope. I’d recommend this book to readers who appreciate emotionally layered stories about overcoming inner demons. While its pacing and focus sometimes waver, its emotional depth and honesty make it a poignant, memorable read.
Walker’s prose is sharp and evocative, and the opening scene with Rachel and her dying friend Hadley is beautifully intimate, setting the stage with raw vulnerability. You can almost feel the texture of the lavender oil and the unspoken words between them. Some sections, such as Rachel’s detailed recounting of a failed Tinder date or Hadley’s over-meticulous party planning, seemed slower for me, and I found myself wishing the narrative would stick more to the emotional core rather than veering into minutiae.
The themes Walker addresses, such as trauma, memory, and the fight for autonomy, are deeply moving, but there’s a subtle imbalance in execution. Rachel’s chapters are heartrending, particularly the vivid depiction of her PTSD triggers, like when the scent of aftershave catapults her into a flashback. These moments feel visceral, raw, and uncomfortably real. Hadley’s storyline, on the other hand, didn’t quite grip me as much. While the GenSeq DNA-testing subplot is intriguing, the emotional stakes felt diluted compared to Rachel’s journey. That said, Hadley’s reflection on a photograph she can’t remember, a Sanibel beach trip with her family, is haunting and relatable, a quiet metaphor for her unraveling.
Walker’s strength lies in her portrayal of female friendships and the quiet, sustaining power they hold. Rachel’s relationship with Mandy is a standout, embodying unwavering support and warmth. Even Rachel’s occasional prickliness doesn’t diminish the sincerity of their bond. On the flip side, Hadley’s interactions with her friends feel more performative, offering a subtle critique of the superficiality that can exist in seemingly perfect lives. These contrasts enrich the novel’s exploration of connection and authenticity.
By the end, Memory Weavers left me reflective. It’s a story that doesn’t shy away from pain but also offers a glimmer of hope. I’d recommend this book to readers who appreciate emotionally layered stories about overcoming inner demons. While its pacing and focus sometimes waver, its emotional depth and honesty make it a poignant, memorable read.
May 18, 2025
Review: Memory Weavers by Muffy Walker
🧠 Overview
Memory Weavers is a poignant and deeply human exploration of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, weaving together themes of memory, identity, and resilience. Muffy Walker crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universal, offering a raw yet compassionate look at the emotional and psychological toll of dementia on individuals and their loved ones.
🔍 Key Strengths
💔 Emotional Authenticity – Walker’s portrayal of Alzheimer’s is unflinchingly honest, capturing the grief, confusion, and fleeting moments of clarity with profound sensitivity.
👨👩👧👦 Relational Depth – The novel excels in depicting the ripple effects of illness on family dynamics, highlighting both fractures and unexpected bonds.
📖 Narrative Structure – The use of fragmented memories and shifting perspectives mirrors the disorientation of the disease, immersing readers in the protagonist’s experience.
🌱 Hopeful Undertones – Despite its heavy subject, the story finds light in small victories and the enduring power of love.
⚠️ Considerations
📉 Pacing – Some sections lean heavily into introspection, which may slow momentum for readers seeking plot-driven storytelling.
⚠️ Emotional Weight – The subject matter is inherently heartbreaking; those personally affected by Alzheimer’s may find it particularly intense.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Atmosphere → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
💡 Thematic Depth → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🎭 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
⚡ Narrative Impact → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A tapestry of loss and love, threaded with fragile, fading light.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📚 Still Alice by Lisa Genova
💞 Stories of familial resilience like The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block
🧠 Narratives that blend medical realism with emotional truth
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Muffy Walker for the advance review copy. Memory Weavers is a necessary, heartrending tribute to the lives altered by Alzheimer’s—and the memories that endure.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
🧠 Overview
Memory Weavers is a poignant and deeply human exploration of early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease, weaving together themes of memory, identity, and resilience. Muffy Walker crafts a narrative that is both intimate and universal, offering a raw yet compassionate look at the emotional and psychological toll of dementia on individuals and their loved ones.
🔍 Key Strengths
💔 Emotional Authenticity – Walker’s portrayal of Alzheimer’s is unflinchingly honest, capturing the grief, confusion, and fleeting moments of clarity with profound sensitivity.
👨👩👧👦 Relational Depth – The novel excels in depicting the ripple effects of illness on family dynamics, highlighting both fractures and unexpected bonds.
📖 Narrative Structure – The use of fragmented memories and shifting perspectives mirrors the disorientation of the disease, immersing readers in the protagonist’s experience.
🌱 Hopeful Undertones – Despite its heavy subject, the story finds light in small victories and the enduring power of love.
⚠️ Considerations
📉 Pacing – Some sections lean heavily into introspection, which may slow momentum for readers seeking plot-driven storytelling.
⚠️ Emotional Weight – The subject matter is inherently heartbreaking; those personally affected by Alzheimer’s may find it particularly intense.
⭐ Score Breakdown (0–5 Stars)
✍️ Prose & Atmosphere → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
💡 Thematic Depth → ★★★★★ (5/5)
🎭 Character Development → ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
⚡ Narrative Impact → ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Overall: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
A tapestry of loss and love, threaded with fragile, fading light.
🎯 Perfect For Readers Who Love
📚 Still Alice by Lisa Genova
💞 Stories of familial resilience like The Story of Forgetting by Stefan Merrill Block
🧠 Narratives that blend medical realism with emotional truth
🙏 Gratitude
Thank you to NetGalley and Muffy Walker for the advance review copy. Memory Weavers is a necessary, heartrending tribute to the lives altered by Alzheimer’s—and the memories that endure.
(Note: Review based on an uncorrected proof; final publication may vary.)
June 18, 2025
In her late 40's, Hadley struggles with a devastating medical diagnosis. Meanwhile Rachel in her twenties is dealing with PTSD from a college rape. When they meet in the psychiatrist's waiting room, a beautiful friendship ensues, helping each other heal. Informative yet page-turning, heartbreaking at times but ultimately hopeful, I flew through this and thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 26, 2025
What an impactful book! The author develops complex, relatable characters and their relationships, and imparts much information about Alzheimer's disease and PTSD. Her background as a Psychiatric nurse allows her to educate while telling a warm yet heartbreaking story that I didn't want to end. (I also loved the hidden blackboard message!) Looking forward to her next novel.
June 12, 2025
I very much enjoyed reading this book even though the topic is not a “happy” one. Alzheimer’s is a frightening disease but Muffy Walker hit on all of the emotions that the family members, including Hadley,experienced. As an advanced septuagenarian with multiple family members having succombed to this disease, I am grateful that Muffy brought a humanity to this family.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews