What Alice Forgot

Is this still going to be a movie with Jennifer Anniston as Alice? I can’t wait! Reading this really makes you think about your own life and what it would be like losing 10 years of it. How much different would your personality be? Less jaded? We see the world differently in our late 20’s versus our late 30’s. It was such a good story! And it was really three stories. We saw Alice as she struggled with losing her memory and reverting back 10 years. The anticipation of her getting her memories back was worth it. We also had Elisabeth’s story through letters to her therapist outlining her IVF journey. The third was Frannie’s later-in-life love story told through letters (I won’t say to who because it’s a spoiler).

It threw me a little at the end but then it righted itself.

First, I have read less than 10 books that get 5 stars from me. I have a very high criteria, and it is rarely met. This book was very close, though, and I'll tell you why. I found the story very compelling, I found myself thinking of the book when I wasn't reading it. I would be wondering what was going to happen next. I also found myself thinking of Alice's situation, and how it would be if that had happened to me. The characters in the book were real and believable, and generally well defined. The writing is good, if simple, it doesn't announce itself to you, but it's rich enough to advance the story. Mostly, it's well crafted in a way that isn't too sentimental, yet it touches you. I loved the way Liane weaves the themes of memory and memories together right to the end. Oh, and there is an end! So many books just trail off with no conclusion - this book does give you an ending, and it's not what you expected, which is a nice surprise. So, why not 5 stars? Well, for one, I'd call this book a "place and time" book. It resonated with me closely because I, like Alice, am a wife and mother of 3 of a certain age. I'm not sure if a single 20 year old would love this book as much as I did. I think they would like it because it's a great story, but the hook is the memories, and if you personally don't have that many memories, I'm not sure if you would feel as strongly. On the other hand, I had borrowed the book from the library, but then went and bought my own copy so that I can lend it to my friends, sisters, and co-workers :-) The other .25 of a star off is just because the writing, while very good, is not at the 5 star level that I set. I have already bought and read "Three Wishes" based on loving this book (and really liked it), and I have another of Liane's books in the queue - there is no doubt that Ms. Moriarty knows how to tell a story, and she gives the reader more than just the story, but the connection that a reader (at least this reader) wants.

I love her style of writing. It’s easy, but it also holds your attention.

Following a blow to the head from a slip off her spin class bike, Alice is hurtled back ten years and then thrust forward to the present. Her consciousness returns to the present, but her memories don't. Between wallowing in her ten-years-ago bliss and trying to come to terms with her current-day reality, Alice finds herself in a very unique position. “Maybe, thought Alice fearfully, the other Alice who has been living my life for the last ten years isn't very nice.” What I like about this story is the idea of having to relearn who you really are. Ten years older, Alice is seeing herself through her younger self's eyes. The wonder, confusion, and at times sadness that the author conveys are endearing and relatable. Also interesting is the effect that Alice's loss of memory has on the people around her. Key people in Alice's life experience a similar introspection and re-examining of life and of Alice. “She wanted to see it clearly, to understand that it wasn’t all black, or all white. It was a million colors." Along the way, Alice's childish internal dialog got on my nerves more than once. But I get it; I've never had amnesia, but I can well imagine that it might cause a person to regress to a more innocent and childlike state. Understood. Well done, Liane Moriarty. You got me there. Initially, I wasn't much of a fan of the book. But over time I grew to appreciate the thought-provoking that was happening as I got further in, which is something I always look for in a reading experience. “Now it seemed like she could twist the lens on her life and see it from two entirely different perspectives. The perspective of her younger self. Her younger, sillier, innocent self. And her older, wiser, more cynical and sensible self. And maybe sometimes Young Alice had a point.” (Trigger warning: While not the central theme of the book, infertility is heavily featured but also very respectfully and empathetically treated)

I saw Big Little Lies on tv and was obsessed so I thought of reading it but then I came across this book of the same author. I gave it a read and it was honestly really good. Nothing too crazy just an easy nice read with interesting plot twists and love interests