Date of Reading: 15/06/2018
Author: Sophie Jenkins
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: July 26, 2018
Rating: 4.5/5
From: NetGalley
About the book:
You can lose your memory, but you never forget how to love…
Lana Green has a talent for pushing people away. As a writer, she’s perfectly happy to be left alone with her books. But when she meets Jack Buchanan and Nancy Ellis Hall, Lana’s solitary life will change for ever.
Nancy has dementia, and social services believe this makes her vulnerable. But Lana can see the funny, brilliant woman underneath the illness.
As Lana and Jack struggle to keep Nancy out of a care home, Lana starts to question everything she ever thought mattered.
Because what’s the point in stories, if there is no one to share them with?
My Review:
Have you ever read a book that makes you feel warm, happy and content? If you have gone through a similar experience, then you won't be able to pass this one by. The stunning debut with its unique perspective and story line will endear anyone with at least a small inkling to write.
The story was quite engaging from the start itself and we immediately connect with Lana Green, the author of a single famous romantic novel whose life is now in shatters. Her quirky but insightful comments on other writers (especially the one about Hemingway) and about writing had me grinning from ear to ear.
And I never thought that someone with dementia can contribute so much fun. In reality I don't think they will, but here I completely agree with Kitty, "no one wants to read how it all went wrong . . . they can look to their own lives for that sort of thing."
The characters we meet are also quite distinctive, starting from Nancy. Then there is Jack and we can't but admire how he pedalled through some really dark periods in life. Love is insanity (some loves at least) and it is good to see him so forgiving. He has become one of my favourite heroes.
That being said, I won't classify this as a romance novel since that plays only a minor role here. This is a writer's search for her novel, that particular story which is waiting for her to be written. Endowed with one of the perfect endings, this uplifting book will make you happy irrespective of whether you forgot the feeling or not.
Something to ponder ...
"Generallay, you have to be thin-skinned to be a writer, so you can be insightful and all that, but you have to be thick-skinned too, because no one in the history of the written word has ever written anything that everyone likes" - Loc 169
"I can spot a teacher a mile off. They'r e the ones telling people off." - Loc 427
"Self-pity is seductive, but it makes you pitiful." - Loc 479
"A photograph is like a stare, a voyeuristic activity in which you can study someone with all the time in the world and make up a narrative about them" - Loc 2982
"The problem I've always had with real life is, you never know what's going to happen." - Loc 3986
Meet the author:
Sophie Jenkins is a serial joiner of
writing groups and workshops and a prolific short story writer. To
encourage her creativity she regularly enters half-marathons and trains
by running from her home in North London to breakfast in the centre of
town with a notepad.
The character of Nancy in The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is based on her experiences with her own mother, who was diagnosed with dementia fifteen years ago.
Lana Green has a talent for pushing people away. As a writer, she’s perfectly happy to be left alone with her books. But when she meets Jack Buchanan and Nancy Ellis Hall, Lana’s solitary life will change for ever.
Nancy has dementia, and social services believe this makes her vulnerable. But Lana can see the funny, brilliant woman underneath the illness.
As Lana and Jack struggle to keep Nancy out of a care home, Lana starts to question everything she ever thought mattered.
Because what’s the point in stories, if there is no one to share them with?
My Review:
Have you ever read a book that makes you feel warm, happy and content? If you have gone through a similar experience, then you won't be able to pass this one by. The stunning debut with its unique perspective and story line will endear anyone with at least a small inkling to write.
The story was quite engaging from the start itself and we immediately connect with Lana Green, the author of a single famous romantic novel whose life is now in shatters. Her quirky but insightful comments on other writers (especially the one about Hemingway) and about writing had me grinning from ear to ear.
And I never thought that someone with dementia can contribute so much fun. In reality I don't think they will, but here I completely agree with Kitty, "no one wants to read how it all went wrong . . . they can look to their own lives for that sort of thing."
The characters we meet are also quite distinctive, starting from Nancy. Then there is Jack and we can't but admire how he pedalled through some really dark periods in life. Love is insanity (some loves at least) and it is good to see him so forgiving. He has become one of my favourite heroes.
That being said, I won't classify this as a romance novel since that plays only a minor role here. This is a writer's search for her novel, that particular story which is waiting for her to be written. Endowed with one of the perfect endings, this uplifting book will make you happy irrespective of whether you forgot the feeling or not.
Something to ponder ...
"Generallay, you have to be thin-skinned to be a writer, so you can be insightful and all that, but you have to be thick-skinned too, because no one in the history of the written word has ever written anything that everyone likes" - Loc 169
"I can spot a teacher a mile off. They'r e the ones telling people off." - Loc 427
"Self-pity is seductive, but it makes you pitiful." - Loc 479
"A photograph is like a stare, a voyeuristic activity in which you can study someone with all the time in the world and make up a narrative about them" - Loc 2982
"The problem I've always had with real life is, you never know what's going to happen." - Loc 3986
Meet the author:
 |
| Sophie Jenkins |
The character of Nancy in The Forgotten Guide to Happiness is based on her experiences with her own mother, who was diagnosed with dementia fifteen years ago.
Brilliant review. A definite addition to my TBR
ReplyDeleteGreat review. Warm, happy and content... I like the sounds of this one.
ReplyDeleteLovely review, this sounds like a very sweet story.
ReplyDeleteThe cover is cute and Great Review.
ReplyDeleteA book that makes me feel warm, happy and contented sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteAh it does sounds like a nice story. Love the cover!
ReplyDeleteLove the review and the quotes as something to leave me with
ReplyDeleteI like the way you write, it makes me want to read this, I also loved the cover and this is how I choose the books I wanna read. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like those quotes. Great review!
ReplyDeletesounds like a lovely book!
ReplyDeleteExcellent review - I want it
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such a sweet story!
ReplyDeleteDementia is often associated with a lot of negativity and difficulty. It's. I've to portray it on a fun way. And that's what makes this book different.
ReplyDeletegreat review
ReplyDeleteGreat review. The book sounds delightful.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Sounds like an excellent read!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you liked this one! It's nice the romance isn't too much of the story either.
ReplyDelete-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net