The Memory Collectors

Inspiration for Kim Neville's debut novel came from her fantastical short story in which the character of Harriet is a witch who hoards magical objects and gets into trouble when she steals a neighbor’s dragon. Neville wanted to further develop the story and ground it in the real world. "I began thinking about how we as humans relate to physical objects, and what makes an object 'magical.' We ascribe meaning to things based on our interactions with them, and our stories about them. I found it so interesting that inanimate objects can hold such power over us. The memories associated with a cherished piece of jewelry or a favorite mug can be so vivid and emotional, that it’s as though the object itself has taken on those emotions."

That led her to contemplate what life would be like for a person with an acute sensitivity to the impressions left behind on objects, which is the case with her lead character, Ev. In her life, only three people knew about what she thinks of as her sickness -- "the way objects speak to her." Of those three, the only survivor is her sister, Noemi, who disappears for long stretches of time. As the story opens, Noemi has been gone for six months and Ev misses talking with her. With her friend Owen Riley, who works as a bike courier, Ev scavenges through dumpsters and garbage cans in search of items she can sell. Objects have a "stain" on them. Sometimes sweet, sometimes not. Sometimes the stains overpower her senses and cause her to feel ill because she senses the emotions left behind on the objects.

One day Owen shows her the button collection he found in an alley behind an apartment building. There are other treasures there, as well -- three boxes full -- some of which Owen, an artist, can use to create sculptures and mixed media pieces. In fact, there might be enough items that Ev can use the money she makes to get her through the winter without having to sell at the local flea market.

Soon Ev and Owen encounter Harriet, the owner of the boxes. Ev recognizes her as a stain hoarder. And Harriet immediately realizes that she and Ev have the same gift. But Ev's sensitivity is much stronger than Harriet's. And unlike Ev, who never takes stained items into her apartment, Harriet lives in an apartment literally bursting with them. Ev cannot understand how Harriet can possibly stand the contamination. And Harriet knows that her collection of "bright things" that have made their way into her life is out of control. She is aging and worried that she will not be able to continue keeping people out of her apartment. That she'll be deemed unable to care for herself and will lose control of her life and her belongings. When Owen marvels at all of the things she has gathered over the years, terming it a "museum of memory," an idea is born. Harriet has always wanted to create a space where people can gravitate to objects that hold the emotions they need and be healed by the experience.

And so Ev, Owen, and Harriet team up to empty out Harriet's apartment and create a space where her collection can be seen and appreciated. The museum about which she has dreamed. A place where Owen's art can be on display and people can leave feeling better than when they entered it. But Ev has to finally come to terms with what happened to her and Noemi when they were children, which Neville gradually reveals through deftly-timed flashes of memory. Those events made Ev into the loner she is, always keeping her distance from others and never allowing herself to become close to people. She is always vigilant, protecting herself from the stains lest she be transformed into a monster because the emotions attached to the objects she encounters overtake her. Noemi doesn't remember what happened when they were children so, unlike Ev, she doesn't have to worry that the same kind of monster might be lurking inside her. Harriet too experienced childhood trauma that caused her to live the way she has for more than six decades after, as a teenager, she began collecting objects just as her mother had.

The Memory Collectors is a unique, heartbreaking story imbued with rich imagery and a compelling exploration of her characters' inner lives. Ev is a young woman who does not know how to unburden herself so that she can be free to pursue the kind of relationships that other people take for granted. She knows she is different from others and Neville compassionately portrays her struggle to survive and the courage it takes for her to slowly permit herself to be just a bit vulnerable. Her relationship with Noemi is tense and complicated, as are most sibling relationships, and their bond is threatened by the revelation of long-buried secrets. The mysterious Harriet is revealed by Neville to hold the key to Ev's future.

Nevile employs magical realism to tell a riveting story that is, at its core, about overcoming childhood trauma and learning to accept one's past in order to create a life from which one can draw happiness and peace. Her characters are empathetic and Neville's affection for them is apparent throughout. Each of the three strong female characters -- Ev, Harriet, and Noemi -- has had to invent mechanisms to cope with the past and keep it from destroying them. But when they come together, they find themselves at a crossroads and they must resist the darkness that threatens to overtake and destroy all of them. Along with Owen, a gentle spirit who cares deeply about Ev and wants to help Harriet, they have an opportunity to reconcile and make peace with the past, and accept their unusual gift. And perhaps find the courage to pursue the dreams that, until now, they've barely dared to dream.

The Memory Collectors is eloquently crafted and emotionally satisfying, showcasing the depth of Neville's talent. It will leave readers hungry for more from Neville.

Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.