Nonfiction Navigators discussion

David MacLean's The Answer to the Riddle is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia is an extremely unique novel, which relays MacLean's journey of rediscovering himself. MacLean shares his experiences awakening with amnesia and the difficulties he encountered. MacLean writes his novel with a realistic tone intended for a sophisticated audience.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading The Answer to the Riddle is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia. Although this novel is classified as a biography, it does not read like one. MacLean utilizes a unique style of writing and composes his experiences and feelings as if he is currently living them. This technique allows the reader to relate more to what MacLean is going through. I often found myself confused about what was happening, but that is exactly what MacLean felt like as well. He constantly has to question every event that occurred. “Now I couldn’t be sure of the memories that I did have. Everything was suspect. I was worse than a drug addict—I was nothing. A drug addict could cry over his wasted life. I didn’t know what life my tears were for. There was only an absence. I cried for something I didn’t know.” MacLean slowly starts to lose himself, even though he cannot remember who "himself" truly is. His friends and family try their best to help and support MacLean, including showing him old pictures to trigger his memory. “It was like watching a filmstrip in science class. What was on the screen was important and I’d be responsible for the information later, but at that moment it was all blurry, distant, and two-dimensional to me.” MacLean takes his readers on his long and hard journey of recovery. After reading this novel, I am able to reflect more upon the blessings I have in my life and to take less for granted.
I would recommend The Answer to the Riddle is Me: A Memoir of Amnesia to a select audience of realistic people. MacLean does not sugar coat his experiences and may not necessarily always tell the reader what he or she wants to hear. However, if readers can endure MacLean's hardships throughout the novel, they will be rewarded with a new perspective and outlook on their own lives.