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The Memories Of Eskar Wilde
Perfect for fans of Carlos Ruiz Zafón's The Shadow of the Wind and Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, E.H Wilde's memoir-styled literary fiction debut, The Memories of Eskar Wilde, is a coming-of-age tale of secrets and discovery, love and loss, and guilt and penance.
I'm no author. I don't know how to structure my "story" in a conventional way, though I am now inclined to tell it. If you possess sufficient patience and a willingness to forgive my amateurish storytelling, I'll explain to you how I came to be in a small Paris apartment on my eighteenth birthday, with only my faithful black cat and a bottle of Domaine Leroy Richeborg 2000 for company. My mother insists that I record my feelings and experiences from the past five years. I have been told that the exercise may be therapeutic.
When Eskar and his mother travel from Australia to France for his father's funeral, no one suspects that the four-day stay would turn into months, then years. Eskar is perplexed by the circumstances surrounding his father's untimely death - circumstances that fuel his suspicions that his father was a spy, or worse, an assassin. Then, there is the discovery that his father purchased a family plot at the Pere Lachaise and was to be buried there, not to mention the large gathering the funeral attracted - eighty or so mourners, most of whom Eskar does not know. Who are they? And who is the stately old Madame Marbot, who turned her chilling glare upon Eskar? Then there is Brie, the far-from ordinary kitten whom his friends believe embodies the spirit of Eskar's father. All the while, Eskar can't help but maintain an excruciating conduct in denying and suppressing his deep love for his dear, eccentric friend, Sophie.
Filled with rich descriptions of Paris and Vaucluse, the French culture, and the divine food, wine, and bistros, Eskar's account is stylistically complex and hauntingly beautiful in the way bittersweet youth memories are. Follow him as he delves into his father's past and unravels the mystery of his life and death.
Filled with unpredictable turns, witty humor, and a dash of magical realism, The Memories of Eskar Wilde is the perfect modern escape for anyone who has enjoyed the works of classic authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Irving, Jane Austen, and Gabriel Garcia-Marquez.
I'm no author. I don't know how to structure my "story" in a conventional way, though I am now inclined to tell it. If you possess sufficient patience and a willingness to forgive my amateurish storytelling, I'll explain to you how I came to be in a small Paris apartment on my eighteenth birthday, with only my faithful black cat and a bottle of Domaine Leroy Richeborg 2000 for company. My mother insists that I record my feelings and experiences from the past five years. I have been told that the exercise may be therapeutic.
When Eskar and his mother travel from Australia to France for his father's funeral, no one suspects that the four-day stay would turn into months, then years. Eskar is perplexed by the circumstances surrounding his father's untimely death - circumstances that fuel his suspicions that his father was a spy, or worse, an assassin. Then, there is the discovery that his father purchased a family plot at the Pere Lachaise and was to be buried there, not to mention the large gathering the funeral attracted - eighty or so mourners, most of whom Eskar does not know. Who are they? And who is the stately old Madame Marbot, who turned her chilling glare upon Eskar? Then there is Brie, the far-from ordinary kitten whom his friends believe embodies the spirit of Eskar's father. All the while, Eskar can't help but maintain an excruciating conduct in denying and suppressing his deep love for his dear, eccentric friend, Sophie.
Filled with rich descriptions of Paris and Vaucluse, the French culture, and the divine food, wine, and bistros, Eskar's account is stylistically complex and hauntingly beautiful in the way bittersweet youth memories are. Follow him as he delves into his father's past and unravels the mystery of his life and death.
Filled with unpredictable turns, witty humor, and a dash of magical realism, The Memories of Eskar Wilde is the perfect modern escape for anyone who has enjoyed the works of classic authors like F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Irving, Jane Austen, and Gabriel Garcia-Marquez.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2022
5 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
E.H. Wilde
1 book15 followersE.H. Wilde is a self-described "accidental author" from Australia. Despite being an avid reader with Arts/Law Honours majoring in English literature, E.H. never initially planned to write or publish a book. However, what started as writing here and there as a creative outlet in stressful times soon became a fully fleshed-out novel.
Wilde's writing is influenced by a range of classic and contemporary authors, including Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Irving.
When not writing, Wilde enjoys reading, fine food and wine and traveling - particularly through France.
Check out Wilde's debut contemporary coming-of-age novel, The Memories of Eskar Wilde, today!
Wilde's writing is influenced by a range of classic and contemporary authors, including Jane Austen, F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Irving.
When not writing, Wilde enjoys reading, fine food and wine and traveling - particularly through France.
Check out Wilde's debut contemporary coming-of-age novel, The Memories of Eskar Wilde, today!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 22, 2023
Interest experiment. A YA novel written in a late 19th century style. But there's a ghost, a talking baby, and an unusually anthropomorphic cat. Amusing, but with tedious passages about wine.
May 28, 2022
The Memories of Eskar Wilde is a brilliant book, taking you on an amazing adventure through Paris while simultaneously keeping you engaged with a storyline to remember. It is a book about love, heartbreak and betrayal, and it takes you on a brilliant roller coaster of emotions, balanced out by a nice serving of comedic and light-hearted moments.
The Reedsy Discovery review is absolutely right: You won't be able to put the book down.
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the...
The Reedsy Discovery review is absolutely right: You won't be able to put the book down.
https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/the...
April 7, 2023
I couldn’t warm to Eskar and found his extended family’s Colonial attitude wearing. I understood a lot of the French, but if I hadn’t, the almost 200 footnotes would have had me wishing the author skipped some of it. The pace was too pedestrian, I felt, with too much food and wine snobbery. Too much wasn’t explained and although I wanted to like it, I struggled with it
February 23, 2024
This lovely debut novel by E.H. Wilde was a delight from start to finish.
I was drawn into Eskar's story immediately, and knew within the first few pages that I was in for a treat. The author certainly did not disappoint, and brought me, senses and all, back to France with her to follow Eskar's mysterious tale. I say "back to France," although personally I've not yet been. It's a bucket-list item for me, but the locales she describes, along with a generous helping of fabulous food and wines, not to mention more than a smattering of *la belle lange* (the beautiful language) helped me feel as if I were actually coming home. And, of course, there are all those unique voices, the delightfully intriguing characters she populates this novel with. The lilt of their dialogue still resonates with me.
As the other reviews and the accompanying story blurb will tell you, this is something of a coming-of-age story as told by the talented and somewhat precocious narrator, young Eskar himself. But with a healthy smattering of mystery, and some magical realism, it became much more than that.
I'm only sorry it took me awhile to finally pick up a copy and savour these Memories of Eskar Wilde. Highly recommended, and very much looking forward to seeing what else springs forth from E.H. Wilde's wonderful imagination. Bon appétit, santé à toi, et à bientôt. Toujours avec amour, mes amis!
I was drawn into Eskar's story immediately, and knew within the first few pages that I was in for a treat. The author certainly did not disappoint, and brought me, senses and all, back to France with her to follow Eskar's mysterious tale. I say "back to France," although personally I've not yet been. It's a bucket-list item for me, but the locales she describes, along with a generous helping of fabulous food and wines, not to mention more than a smattering of *la belle lange* (the beautiful language) helped me feel as if I were actually coming home. And, of course, there are all those unique voices, the delightfully intriguing characters she populates this novel with. The lilt of their dialogue still resonates with me.
As the other reviews and the accompanying story blurb will tell you, this is something of a coming-of-age story as told by the talented and somewhat precocious narrator, young Eskar himself. But with a healthy smattering of mystery, and some magical realism, it became much more than that.
I'm only sorry it took me awhile to finally pick up a copy and savour these Memories of Eskar Wilde. Highly recommended, and very much looking forward to seeing what else springs forth from E.H. Wilde's wonderful imagination. Bon appétit, santé à toi, et à bientôt. Toujours avec amour, mes amis!
August 28, 2023
I have read the many reviews written about this book. They are all thoughtful and praiseful and I agree with every one of them. I absolutely loved this book, and getting to know Eskar Wilde and the many charming characters brought to life by E.H. Wilde.
I have never been to Paris, but felt transported in the pages of this book. I could see the quaint streets, and almost taste the exquisite meals and enjoy the excellent wines, all while getting completely wrapped up in an unexpected and cleverly written murder mystery.
Eskar might only be eighteen when he decides to put the memories of his young life on paper, but he writes with an old soul which makes this book so appealing to all ages. And all ages will be as hooked as I was on page one.
I can't wait to read about his next eighteen years.
I have never been to Paris, but felt transported in the pages of this book. I could see the quaint streets, and almost taste the exquisite meals and enjoy the excellent wines, all while getting completely wrapped up in an unexpected and cleverly written murder mystery.
Eskar might only be eighteen when he decides to put the memories of his young life on paper, but he writes with an old soul which makes this book so appealing to all ages. And all ages will be as hooked as I was on page one.
I can't wait to read about his next eighteen years.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2024
I wanted to love it
Exquisitely detailed and written. The premise is so enthralling and the MC so very endearing. And the line level writing is beyond reproach. If only there were less inane filler and more getting to the point. Alas, I couldn’t stay with it. I tried to skip ahead and get to the meat and potatoes but this novel doesn’t work that way. I sorely regret not being able to unravel the mystery and discover the secrets but I’ve no doubt they’re in there.
I hope to return to this someday when I’m hopefully a little more patient.
Exquisitely detailed and written. The premise is so enthralling and the MC so very endearing. And the line level writing is beyond reproach. If only there were less inane filler and more getting to the point. Alas, I couldn’t stay with it. I tried to skip ahead and get to the meat and potatoes but this novel doesn’t work that way. I sorely regret not being able to unravel the mystery and discover the secrets but I’ve no doubt they’re in there.
I hope to return to this someday when I’m hopefully a little more patient.
June 30, 2023
This book will linger with me.
What an absolutely wonderful story. EH Wilde builds a world that mad me feel a part of this adventure. The dedication to detail all lead to part of the story’s process. Descriptions of meals were not to be overlooked as fillers in this book. They had meaning to characters, and had meaning to me. Much of our world has lost the ability to “break bread” with each other. To put down phones and focus on what is right before you. This book reminds me of a better world where people want to be their best person. I was immersed. This book will be ranked in my top 5 all time favorite books.
What an absolutely wonderful story. EH Wilde builds a world that mad me feel a part of this adventure. The dedication to detail all lead to part of the story’s process. Descriptions of meals were not to be overlooked as fillers in this book. They had meaning to characters, and had meaning to me. Much of our world has lost the ability to “break bread” with each other. To put down phones and focus on what is right before you. This book reminds me of a better world where people want to be their best person. I was immersed. This book will be ranked in my top 5 all time favorite books.
June 25, 2023
This book was fabulous! Written through the eyes of a 13-18 year old highly intelligent boy named Eskar we travel on his youthful life journey as he searches for answers about his father’s life & death and contemplates love , friendship and loss. His adorable, almost human like cat is a faithful companion throughout. I remained enthralled throughout the book which had many twists and turns … a mystery of sorts that you won’t be able to figure out “who dunnit” until the author slowly and surprisingly unravels it all. The ending will definitely grab you too! This book is amazingly well written. I highly recommend it.
June 17, 2023
I haven't even finished this book yet and I had to go ahead and leave a review. I don't want it to end. I'll update this when I'm done, but I had to comment on the voice and style of her writing. It's very soothing to me like a voice I trusted when I was younger. It's witty and smart, and though I don't have many hours to myself to soak up a story the way I truly would like to, I don't mind it taking a long time for me to read. I enjoy having it to look forward to after a long day.
Updated after finishing: It was the voice of the first page that grabbed my attention, and the way it ended made me feel as I did at the beginning of the journey. The cadence of the story moved everything and everyone seamlessly, but the beauty was watching a young boy transform into early adulthood with all the key people in his life. Brie was brilliant. I'm always intrigued by stories of growth and change and the way one experiences significant markers in their life. I hope to see more books by EH!
Updated after finishing: It was the voice of the first page that grabbed my attention, and the way it ended made me feel as I did at the beginning of the journey. The cadence of the story moved everything and everyone seamlessly, but the beauty was watching a young boy transform into early adulthood with all the key people in his life. Brie was brilliant. I'm always intrigued by stories of growth and change and the way one experiences significant markers in their life. I hope to see more books by EH!
August 19, 2023
I'm an American living in Europe that travels throughout the continent rather frequently both with my family and as a solo traveler. The Redhead and our two youngest daughters speak German and English fluently and French adequately so we end up in France quite often. It is the most visited country in the world for a reason after all.
In the last little more than a year the Redhead, her mother and our three youngest children traveled to Nice for a long weekend; our youngest daughter won a one month Interrail pass and headed to southern France; our younger son and I bought two month Interrail Global passes last year when they were 50% off and both of us spent more than three weeks in southern France during our travels (separately ... him with his posse and me solo while the Redhead studied for her final exams).
Of course the recent trips I've mentioned are far from being the only trips to France. I don't even know how many trips to Paris we've made by train or car in the last 20 years. It's a bunch though.
Why am I mentioning all this in a book review? Because I want to point out the authenticity of the author's writing. I'm certainly not an expert on fine dining and French wines (in my life I consider fine dining anything that doesn't have sand it ... I'm retired military), but I found myself envisioning the places she writes about while reading the novel because of my own experiences in France.
The story itself is intriguing and only once did I spoil it for myself by guessing one of the "twists" ahead of time. All in all it was a very enjoyable book to read.
As I said in a different review I have a hard time finishing books because they frequently lose my interest which is why I tend to read three, four or even five books at a time. I did not have that problem with this book.
Addendum: Early next year I plan on returning to southern France to walk the Camino Frances starting in Lourdes rather than the more traditional starting point of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I quite like the idea of visiting Lourmarin on my way to Lourdes, but the more sensible side of me says I'm already going to be walking towards Santiago de Compostela for 45+ days and should visit a different time.
That's not an unusual predicament for anyone visiting France ... there's always way more things to see than we have time for no matter how often we visit.
No, Emerald Coast I have not forgotten you either.
GO BUY THE BOOK!!!
In the last little more than a year the Redhead, her mother and our three youngest children traveled to Nice for a long weekend; our youngest daughter won a one month Interrail pass and headed to southern France; our younger son and I bought two month Interrail Global passes last year when they were 50% off and both of us spent more than three weeks in southern France during our travels (separately ... him with his posse and me solo while the Redhead studied for her final exams).
Of course the recent trips I've mentioned are far from being the only trips to France. I don't even know how many trips to Paris we've made by train or car in the last 20 years. It's a bunch though.
Why am I mentioning all this in a book review? Because I want to point out the authenticity of the author's writing. I'm certainly not an expert on fine dining and French wines (in my life I consider fine dining anything that doesn't have sand it ... I'm retired military), but I found myself envisioning the places she writes about while reading the novel because of my own experiences in France.
The story itself is intriguing and only once did I spoil it for myself by guessing one of the "twists" ahead of time. All in all it was a very enjoyable book to read.
As I said in a different review I have a hard time finishing books because they frequently lose my interest which is why I tend to read three, four or even five books at a time. I did not have that problem with this book.
Addendum: Early next year I plan on returning to southern France to walk the Camino Frances starting in Lourdes rather than the more traditional starting point of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. I quite like the idea of visiting Lourmarin on my way to Lourdes, but the more sensible side of me says I'm already going to be walking towards Santiago de Compostela for 45+ days and should visit a different time.
That's not an unusual predicament for anyone visiting France ... there's always way more things to see than we have time for no matter how often we visit.
No, Emerald Coast I have not forgotten you either.
GO BUY THE BOOK!!!
August 20, 2022
Despite the informal tone, the writing still felt sophisticated. I tend to enjoy books that are structured as journals and where the reader feels valued by the protagonist. Eskar is a good person who highly values his family, and I enjoyed reading the passages that focused on the relationship between him and his mother. I was pleased that he acknowledged his mistakes and had a matured sense of self-reflection. I was initially concerned that he wasn't allowing himself to feel grief, anger, and sadness, but I was happy with Eskar's emotional development towards the end.
The Memories of Eskar Wilde isn't particularly exciting, but it is still an intriguing and perhaps a calming story. I am not a person who understands French, and I am grateful that the translations to French dialogue were given in the footer. I am a person who highly values background information, but the one complaint that I would have is that at times it felt like too much information, and at times I skimmed some pages in a rush to find out what happens next! The ending was most certainly bittersweet. While I was secretly hoping for a happily-ever-after, I appreciate how it stuck to realistic outcomes.
The Memories of Eskar Wilde isn't particularly exciting, but it is still an intriguing and perhaps a calming story. I am not a person who understands French, and I am grateful that the translations to French dialogue were given in the footer. I am a person who highly values background information, but the one complaint that I would have is that at times it felt like too much information, and at times I skimmed some pages in a rush to find out what happens next! The ending was most certainly bittersweet. While I was secretly hoping for a happily-ever-after, I appreciate how it stuck to realistic outcomes.
November 9, 2023
Part mystery.
Part spiritual fantasy.
Part ghost story.
Part culinary wishlist.
Part romance.
100% fun.
Young Eskar Wilde is coming of age in Australia, which makes it a particularly difficult time to learn about his father's secret past - especially since his father is killed in a traffic accident at a busy intersection in Paris.
While unraveling the mystery around the man he loved, an international man of refined tastes and an intriguing past, Eskar discovers his own burgeoning strength through friendships, a broadening definition of family, young love, and his own remarkable intellect and talent.
This book brings elements of fantasy, spirit, and intrigue together and weaves them into the world of Eskar Wilde. The emotions portrayed by the author are deep, and she gives her characters room to fall into and grow out of their shock and despair.
No spoilers here, but I loved the ending.
Part spiritual fantasy.
Part ghost story.
Part culinary wishlist.
Part romance.
100% fun.
Young Eskar Wilde is coming of age in Australia, which makes it a particularly difficult time to learn about his father's secret past - especially since his father is killed in a traffic accident at a busy intersection in Paris.
While unraveling the mystery around the man he loved, an international man of refined tastes and an intriguing past, Eskar discovers his own burgeoning strength through friendships, a broadening definition of family, young love, and his own remarkable intellect and talent.
This book brings elements of fantasy, spirit, and intrigue together and weaves them into the world of Eskar Wilde. The emotions portrayed by the author are deep, and she gives her characters room to fall into and grow out of their shock and despair.
No spoilers here, but I loved the ending.
November 14, 2022
Memories of Eskar Wilde by author EH Wilde is one of the most surprising, unique, enchanting, and hard to put down novels I’ve read in a long time. And I read novels ALL the time. There were several things that drew me in: the compelling cast of characters, staring with the narrator, Eskar Wilde, and his cat Brie, endowed with human emotions/behaviors (perfect for a cat lover like me), the settings in Paris and South of France, and the many French wines and food woven seamlessly into the story. Then there are a series of engaging mysteries, some romance, and a lot of interesting family dynamics. This book is told in a charming style that is both simple and sophisticated. Highly recommend for all fiction readers.
October 3, 2022
This wonderful book has it all: vivid characters (including a surprisingly articulate cat), beautifully depicted settings, and a plot that really pulls you in as the tale unfolds. I found myself completely absorbed in Eskar’s world, the intrigue and drama of Paris, the warmth and community of Provence, the fine wining and dining, the complex, relatable relationships, and of course, the delightful unravelling of the central mystery. I would be first in line to read another book by this author.
May 21, 2022
Having discussed this book with my diverse family of four, we agree that it is a unique and engaging read with a universal (crossover) appeal. We do not believe that being acquainted with the author has influenced our objectivity. Of course, you will need to read it for yourself to know for sure.
May 28, 2022
Loved it. I am an avid reader who never leaves reviews. I am inspired to do so now out of the sheer joy of experiencing such quality New Adult literature coming out of Australia. A pleasure.
March 5, 2023
Delightfully complex, enchanting, and beautiful, The Memories of Eskar Wilde is a page-turner that will leave you thinking about its characters for a long time. Well done!
February 23, 2023
I’ve read other reviews which have described this novel as YA, personally, I think this gives a somewhat false impression of the rich complexities this novel brings together. Much like the appreciation of fine wine which is one of the many undertones to the story, there are distinct flavours of love, friendship, family dynamics with a rich layer of intrigue and deception. Before I go any further, let me hint at the plot without giving anything away. The story begins when the central figure and narrator, Eskar and his mother travelling from Australia to France for his father's funeral, assuming this would only be a short trip. But, having barely arrived, it soon becomes clear, his father’s life is shrouded in mystery and what was expected to be straightforward becomes deeply complex. As Eskar attempts to unravel the many deceptions to discover the truth, he encounters an array of characters some of whom become dear friends whereas others are secretive and, in a few cases downright sinister. So, this brief trip becomes a stay that last years, during which time the young Eskar reaches adulthood and, amongst other things, discovers both the joy and pain of first love.
Now, on the face of it, this sounds like a coming of age book with a subplot of a murder/mystery and that’s partly true but that description doesn’t come close to explaining the inventive and unique way the story is told and I believe this is due, in no small way, to the fact the author clearly has a deep love for not only fine wine and food but also -and more importantly- France. The elegant language, the glorious descriptions which do occasionally teeter close to the edge of being slightly too much, are just a feast for any keen reader. I was also very impressed with how the intrigue surrounding the death of Eskar’s father is never treated as nothing more than a convenient way of introducing new characters or situations. His role within the plot is well-rounded and an extremely gratifying conclusion is reached by the end, so even if you only read the book as a murder/mystery and nothing else, you’d be very satisfied - but as I’ve already said, this is so much more.
Finally, I came away from reading this novel, knowing the author cares deeply about their story, in every way, from accurately portraying the confusion of growing up to ensuring factual details about the places, the wines etc is correct, and I appreciate that so much. I felt that if I went to any one of the locations, what I would see and experience would be identical to the book. Sadly on too many occasions, huge liberties are taken by some authors and as soon as a reader feels they’re being misled, the overall reading experience suffers. But this not the case with this novel, for all its glorious use of language, at no time, did I feel I was being told anything but the truth.
I said at the beginning, to describe this as a YA novel, is not telling the whole story, as I have no hesitation in stating it would be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages, so I have no hesitation in heartily recommending it to you.
Now, on the face of it, this sounds like a coming of age book with a subplot of a murder/mystery and that’s partly true but that description doesn’t come close to explaining the inventive and unique way the story is told and I believe this is due, in no small way, to the fact the author clearly has a deep love for not only fine wine and food but also -and more importantly- France. The elegant language, the glorious descriptions which do occasionally teeter close to the edge of being slightly too much, are just a feast for any keen reader. I was also very impressed with how the intrigue surrounding the death of Eskar’s father is never treated as nothing more than a convenient way of introducing new characters or situations. His role within the plot is well-rounded and an extremely gratifying conclusion is reached by the end, so even if you only read the book as a murder/mystery and nothing else, you’d be very satisfied - but as I’ve already said, this is so much more.
Finally, I came away from reading this novel, knowing the author cares deeply about their story, in every way, from accurately portraying the confusion of growing up to ensuring factual details about the places, the wines etc is correct, and I appreciate that so much. I felt that if I went to any one of the locations, what I would see and experience would be identical to the book. Sadly on too many occasions, huge liberties are taken by some authors and as soon as a reader feels they’re being misled, the overall reading experience suffers. But this not the case with this novel, for all its glorious use of language, at no time, did I feel I was being told anything but the truth.
I said at the beginning, to describe this as a YA novel, is not telling the whole story, as I have no hesitation in stating it would be enjoyed and appreciated by all ages, so I have no hesitation in heartily recommending it to you.
July 13, 2023
The Memories of Eskar Wilde pulls off quite an astonishing feat – it mixes genres, it straddles the gap between diary and conventional storytelling, and even though it’s told in first-person by a teenage boy, it's still infused with adult insights that are both charming and elucidating. It even manages to sneak in a touch of magic realism involving a strange yet lovable cat (don’t ask, just read it). And not only does it more than successfully navigate this highwire act, but the book also manages to be simultaneously classic and fresh. Eskar’s emotions and growing pains feel real; his world feels lived in. I found myself caring about his wellbeing as events around him unfolded, sometimes excruciatingly out of his control. If there’s one thing I truly appreciate in a story, it’s the revealing of growth in a character. MOEW has that and more – it’s also fun. And funny in unexpected places. Eskar is a mini-Poirot, trying to solve a devasting family mystery that is the heart of the book. It’s a thoroughly engaging storyline, and beset with enough “two steps forward, one step back” moments to keep the reader guessing. I won’t spoil the tale with any plot points, but you should know: E.H. absolutely sticks the landing.
Meanwhile, as the story plays out in a lovely countryside setting, the characters’ lifestyle fills the pages with wonderful, specific images of French cuisine and wines (future editions of the book should come with an appendix of recipes!). The book is a page-turner and a page-pauser – as much as I was anxious to know what was going to happen next, I often had to linger on passages just to soak in the atmosphere. The Memories of Eskar Wilde is a mystery wrapped in a savory crepe washed down with a bottle of Cheval Blanc, and it’s incredibly satisfying from start to finish. In fact, it’s one of my favorite books in years.
Meanwhile, as the story plays out in a lovely countryside setting, the characters’ lifestyle fills the pages with wonderful, specific images of French cuisine and wines (future editions of the book should come with an appendix of recipes!). The book is a page-turner and a page-pauser – as much as I was anxious to know what was going to happen next, I often had to linger on passages just to soak in the atmosphere. The Memories of Eskar Wilde is a mystery wrapped in a savory crepe washed down with a bottle of Cheval Blanc, and it’s incredibly satisfying from start to finish. In fact, it’s one of my favorite books in years.
June 23, 2023
I hugely enjoyed this unusual book. It is a mixture of family drama, murder mystery and culinary & cultural exploration. Its a real sensory delight as the protagonist explores the wonders of French cuisine at the same time as delving into his family's dark past as he tries to solve the mystery of his fathers death. The world created has a real richness and warmth to it and the prose touches all 5 senses. The characters are drawn with real love and affection by the author. It is one of those books where you feel the people in it existed before you started reading and will go on living after you read the last page. Highly recommend
May 12, 2022
4.5 stars
This book is listed as YA but this septuagenarian really enjoyed it.
The main character comes of age during the course of the novel, hence the YA tag I guess, but it is a murder mystery wrapped in romance, family, friendship, loyalty, and unrequited love.
And a rather charming and knowing cat cat.
Eloquently but accessibly written.
The author is a friend and I proofread it as a favour. Three times through various iterations! I don't read a story I don't like three times for anyone, so I can assure you I really did like it.
This book is listed as YA but this septuagenarian really enjoyed it.
The main character comes of age during the course of the novel, hence the YA tag I guess, but it is a murder mystery wrapped in romance, family, friendship, loyalty, and unrequited love.
And a rather charming and knowing cat cat.
Eloquently but accessibly written.
The author is a friend and I proofread it as a favour. Three times through various iterations! I don't read a story I don't like three times for anyone, so I can assure you I really did like it.
July 16, 2024
Lost me a bit at the end
January 27, 2023
No Spoilers.
Bought his book to read on my Kindle.
Fantastic writing style.
Refreshing to read from such a personal perspective.
Not too far in yet but this book Ill finish
Thanks E.H. Wilde, for the memories.
Okay I have completed the reading and pent the next three or four days reliving many scenes in the book.
I really enjoyed this kindle edition as it allowed me a fast read but also notes and markup.
Really, if you like real books written before you were born, this is a modern day writer that somehow has channeled the writing form of the greats writers I have ever read.
Prove me wrong.
Nope you cant, go ahead try , you cant prove me wrong on this one.
E.H. Wilde brings the fire to the heart and mind of the reader.
You will rejoice, you will cry, you will remember reading The Memories of Eskar Wilde.
Bought his book to read on my Kindle.
Fantastic writing style.
Refreshing to read from such a personal perspective.
Not too far in yet but this book Ill finish
Thanks E.H. Wilde, for the memories.
Okay I have completed the reading and pent the next three or four days reliving many scenes in the book.
I really enjoyed this kindle edition as it allowed me a fast read but also notes and markup.
Really, if you like real books written before you were born, this is a modern day writer that somehow has channeled the writing form of the greats writers I have ever read.
Prove me wrong.
Nope you cant, go ahead try , you cant prove me wrong on this one.
E.H. Wilde brings the fire to the heart and mind of the reader.
You will rejoice, you will cry, you will remember reading The Memories of Eskar Wilde.
April 16, 2023
This book is awesome. It's starts slowly to get everything laid out. You start feeling for the characters right away and it pulls you in further with the unfolding of events. You want to keep reading so you don't miss anything. A very intriguing book and story itself! The ending is amazing. Well put together, by a very descriptive author. It made for an enjoyable mystery adventure. Thank you, E.H. Wilde, for a remarkable story!
January 5, 2024
I read this shortly after it was first published and having enjoyed it the first time round decided to revisit it. The story of an adolescent coping with the sudden and mysterious loss of his father over a period of years. He shows a depth of character as he investigates the death supported by a diverse cast of characters including an almost impossibly intuitive cat. Well worth the second read.
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