The Things We Keep by Sally Hepworth
Fiction
2016 St. Martin's Press
Finished on August 10, 2016
Rating: 3.5/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Anna Forster, in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease at only thirty-eight years old, knows that her family is doing what they believe to be best when they take her to Rosalind House, an assisted living facility. She also knows there's just one other resident her age, Luke. What she does not expect is the love that blossoms between her and Luke even as she resists her new life at Rosalind House. As her disease steals more and more of her memory, Anna fights to hold on to what she knows, including her relationship with Luke.
When Eve Bennett is suddenly thrust into the role of single mother she finds herself putting her culinary training to use at Rosalind house. When she meets Anna and Luke she is moved by the bond the pair has forged. But when a tragic incident leads Anna's and Luke's families to separate them, Eve finds herself questioning what she is willing to risk to help them.
Well, that's what I get for not reviewing a book as soon as I finish reading it! Until I read the publisher's blurb, I had zero recollection of either the plot or the characters. The Things We Keep was certainly not as good (or as memorable) as Still Alice, which is also about a character with early onset Alzheimer's. The Things We Keep is told from three points of view, one of which felt contrived and predictable. I feel that Hepworth only scratched the surface of what could have been a very good examination of dementia/Alzheimer's. Ultimately, The Things We Keep left me wanting more substance and less fluff.
Aw, too bad - I had high hopes for this book.
ReplyDeleteKathy, looking at what we've both read over the years, I think you tend to be less critical than I, so maybe you'd really enjoy this one. Worth a try!
DeleteHmmm...I've seen this one at the library but have not picked it up yet. Perhaps I'll wait longer to do that. LOL
ReplyDeleteKay, I think I've placed the bar pretty high, comparing this subject to Genova's Still Alice. Like The Book Thief, these favorite reads are almost impossible to duplicate.
DeleteStill Alice was so good wasn't it? Well a bit of a letdown it seems. Hopefully your next read is better!
ReplyDeleteIliana, Still Alice was fantastic! I love her writing and have read all of her novels. I can't wait for her next release, which focuses on ALS. I'm sure it'll be a heartbreaker, but it's also sure to be enlightening, as are all her books.
DeleteI do still want to try something else by Hepworth.