I Remember

by Noëlle Harrison

A wonderfully evocative and atmospheric novel from the author of A SMALL PART OF ME

Genres: Fiction

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 11, 2009

About the author

pseudonym: Evie Blake

Born in London, I moved to Ireland in 1991, shortly afterwards setting up the theatre company Aurora. I have written four stage plays, Northern Landscapes, Black Virgin, Runaway Wife and The Good Sister, and one short film, Blue Void. I have also written extensively on visual art in Ireland, contributing to various journals and artists’ catalogues over the years.

In August 2004 my first novel Beatrice was published by Tivoli/ Pan Macmillan. My second novel, A Small Part Of Me, was published by Tivoli / Pan Macmillan in September 2005. My third novel I Remember was published by Pan Macmillan in September 2008. The Adulteress an erotic ghost story set now and in 1941 in Ireland was published by Pan Macmillan in September 2009. The Secret Loves of Julia Caesar is an illustrated limited edition novella, a companion book to The Adulteress as well as a novel in its own right. It is published October 2012.

I currently live in Bergen in Norway. In September 2012 Beatrice was published by Juritzen Forlag in Norwegian. My books have also been translated and published in Italy, Germany, Holland, and Hungary.

I offer a critiquing service for budding writers and teach various creative writing workshops through Inkwell Writers.

I also write under the pen name of Evie Blake, author of Valentina published by Headline in October 2012, Valentina on the edge (March 2013) and Valentina Unlocked (October 2013). The Valentina Trilogy will be translated and published in Italy, Germany, Holland, Spain, France, Portugal, Brazil, and Serbia.

Reviews

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful and heartfelt coming of age novel; full of mystery and the stuff that makes us human. A light, easy read but a much appreciated emotional outlet on these dreary spring days we're currently experiencing. Beautiful and piercingly poignant.

[Chelsea Dulieu · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a novel of only 259 pages this book had a lot jammed packed in to its pages. For me – would say too much.

I remember is beautifully set between London, Ireland and France. A more gorgeous combination of locations you could not get, yet this story is full of loneliness, heartbreak and tragedy.

Olivia and John Finch hire young Irish au pair Barbara to look after their unwell, and at times bratty, daughter Matilda. Right away Barbara is whisked off to France with them on vacation to visit Olivias family. Feeling welcomed by everyone except Olivia, Barbara falls in love with her new surrounds but cannot shake the feeling that something is off with this family.

As we start to uncover more and more about the Finch’s and Barbara begins a relationship with Olivia’s artistic brother Pascal we are bounced between flash-backs and flash-forwards.

Barbaras own childhood was filled with jealousy, a scandalous relationship between her mother and father which saw the family ostracised and a traumatic event involving her little brother that would shape her for the rest of her life. Unconventional would be putting it lightly.

Our flash-forward sees Barbara returning to Ireland to start a new life. Divorced, her own child grown and no family left around her she aches for a new beginning. Even right up until the last pages, new pieces of the puzzle are still being discovered.

However, I strongly believe there were one or two side-stories too many. A lot felt like they were left unexplored and the ones that were came together in a very rushed way in the end. The timing of the plots and the way the story progressed did not feel right.

Many chapters dragged on, full of information that at the end felt like it could have been shortened or left out. On the other hand there were huge plot points that dotted along chapter to chapter and then were over so quickly you could have missed it.

A nice, short, easy read but definitely not one of my favourites.

Have you read it? Let me know what you think…sdx

[dawn nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh i absolutely loved this story. It was so well written and i loved the main characters Barbara and Matilda, the descriptions of the Camargue and also the food really made me able to imagine the surroundings, The magical theme through it of Guardian angels and spirits put a different spin on it. I couldn't put it down once i started and the ending was fantastic.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so good omg, I'd do so much to read it for the first time again!!

[Kathryn Hampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow to start filled with plenty of descriptive language. The ending brings it all together.

[Elisa Vangelisti · Rating 1 out of 5]

La possibilità gliel’ho data, di più non riesco a fare. Credevo fosse il racconto di una babysitter e una bambina problematica, invece è un guazzabuglio di notizie sulla Francia, dubbi adolescenziali, intrighi dark e nulla di fatto. Boh.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The intriguing story of events that change and shape the life of a young Irish woman Barbara. Moving to London at 18 to become an Au pair for young Matilda Finch, she struggles with guilt from her past over her younger brother's death and the sense that something sinister is up with the Finch family. They take Barbara with them on a family holiday to Carmargue, France which changes the direction of Barbara's life forever.
The story jumps back and forwards through 40 years, creating intrigue and carefully revealing all the factors that have impacted on who Barbara is. A good read that had me hooked

[Nippon]

E' un libro molto dolce. Alcuni eventi erano prevedibili come l'innocenza di Olivia o il ritrovamento finale tra Pascal e Barbara, o che Matilde ed Iam fossero fratelli. Eppure lo definirei un romanzo pieno di colpi di scena. Dopo che ho letto dello stupro mi sono dovuta fermare. Non ho retto. Barbara è stata molto coraggiosa a rapire Matilde, ma credo che ci fosse troppa spiritualità/esoterismo delle volte: le visioni delle due Marie e di Sarala Nera sulla spiaggia, le carte, Mattia ecc.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una storia davvero molto toccante, ambientato in diverse atmosfere, dal magico al tragico. Il passato si confonde con il presente e con il futuro,le storie di Barbara e Matilda si intrecciano,cosi come i loro destini. Un romanzo per niente leggero ma narrato con semplicità. Per chi ama le storie toccanti.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Not one of my favorite books, but enjoyable. Lots of twists to keep you interested, but perhaps too many as some could have been expanded upon. I felt like I still wanted to know more about many things (John's feelings, why Olivia ignored Matilda, Barbara's married life...)

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good...different. I liked learning about Ireland and France. There are twists and turns and it keeps your attention.

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading. Ok

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful book structure and captivating story :D

[Helen Wall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read, liked the twists and turns. It could have been longer and expanded on various threads of the story. Would recommend this book.

[Angie Rhodes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book, an interesting read. it makes you, think about, family, friends and relationships,