We Remember Everything

by Tom Baum

Arky and Maya are carriers of a gene that defines a new human species.

Arky has several gifts he has trouble accounting for. He was born knowing Spanish, could perform feats of carpentry when he was four years old, and played a complete tune on the guitar the first time he picked it up. He's haunted by memories of things that never happened to him—events that seem to have happened to his biological dad, Lloyd Yarbro, who deserted Arky's mom when Arky was a baby.

Arky’s transcontinental search for Lloyd Yarbro brings him face to face with his equally remarkable cohorts: Galen, a 10-year-old boy-wonder preacher born with total recall of the Bible; Kyle, a country rock musician who's been invading Arky's flashbacks; and, above all, Maya, a high-school science whiz, whose bizarre pregnancy unleashes an all-out government search for Arky, Maya, Lloyd Yarbro, and their fellow mutants. A YA novel for all ages.

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 21, 2017

About the author

Thomas "Tom" Baum (born 1940 in New York) is an American playwright and screenwriter best known for writing The Sender and Carny, both of which he wrote directly for the screen. He lives in Los Angeles with his producer wife, Carol. They have two sons and three grandchildren.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep going it is sublime

We Remember Everything was unique from start to finish. I was immediately taken by the special circumstances of Army speaking. The story kept me guessing, amusement was overtaken by the intense desire to understand what was happening in this kids life.

Each character fits into the blend and makes the layers of fiction build into this full flavored cake of a story. I enjoyed it as I puzzled over each encounter with Claire. I worried about Maya and her unexpected condition and I marveled at Lloyd and his calling. This is an obscure story that I totally enjoyed. Give it a chance and you too should enjoy it.

[Valery · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Remember Everything by Tom Baum is a highly unique book that draws on a lot of different elements. Arky, the lead character is a kid with many issues. Namely, he didn't speak until he was four years of age, and even then it was just gibberish. As Arky grows older however, he discovers that he has several wonderful, amazing abilities. He has total recall of certain events, knows people's names that he hasn't met, knows how to speak Spanish without actually learning it, and even can play the guitar without lessons. No one knows what to make of him. When he goes on a quest to find his real father, he meets more strange young people who are quite similar to him, with the same quirks and idiosyncrasies. This is a pretty unique tale for YA audiences, and is authentic in language and settings for that age group. Entertaining and provocative at the same time, this is an excellent choice for an engaging book.