Review: My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Synopsis: From Amazon
Daniel tells me that he’s always loved me. That I feel the same. That I always have.
Not just in this life, but in my last life, and all my lives before.
But I don’t remember him.
He says he is always searching for me. Always hoping that one day I will remember. But it is only he that carries the memory of our love.
I know that finding true love is never easy. Perhaps you have fought for it. Perhaps, like Daniel, you have endured the pain of it being unrequited.
But I hope your quest ends happily.

I hope you never have to face the heartbreak that inevitably awaits us.

This is our extraordinary, unforgettable story.

Review:
As well as having a gorgeous cover I was captivated by the synopsis. The whole idea of reincarnation and soul-mates really appeals to me. I knew I had to read this one and thanks to the awesome Keris Stainton for sending me a copy, my wish was granted.

Unbelievably complex writing technique brings 1st and 3rd person narration with interweaving chapters of the past and present settings give a incredibly detailed insight into the characters/interactions within the book.

Daniel is such a wonderful character to create in your imagination. The whole past lives aspect is fully developed with detailed chapters written in first person narrative, starting at his earliest memories of life up until he present day. You can fully understand is complexity, his reluctance to get close to people and his inability to interact on personal level. Yet, he never fails to search for his soul mate, tortured by the memories of his past life with her many incarnations. Daniels happiness is directly linked to his ability to find this missing piece of himself in every life.

I have heard the saying 'this one is an old soul' a lot especially after having my children. The term takes on a more significant meaning after reading this book.

Hypnosis and Regression therapy are touched upon within the plot. It made me wonder what it would be like to access memories from a previous life. Would I be left wishing to be back in that time if it was better than the life I had now or would I be weighed down with guilt for some past wrongdoing.  Looking at the plot from this angle helps build empathy for Daniel and even Lucy. Has anyone else said to themselves when things go wrong in their lives; "I must have done something really wrong in a previous life to have to pay for it now". The whole ideal of karma and reincarnation blending together so you have to atone for mistakes made in a previous lifetime is flawlessly incorporated into the narrative.

The 3rd person narration for the rest of the book is very subtle, the narrator does not have a strong individual voice, instead the narrative is focalised  from either Daniel or Lucy's perspective giving it the feel first person narration.

Lucy is the current incarnation of Daniel's soul-mate. He is drawn to her like a moth to a flame. He is not subtle about the information he reveals to her. Completely shocking and bewildering her, at first she is incredulous. Yet, as we get to know Lucy we see her strength of spirit and her capacity to see below the surface of people (for want of a better explanation I hope it makes sense). Circumstances lead her to believe not only Daniels past lives but also her own.

Elements of the supernatural are incorporated into the storyline adding an extra dimension to the plot.

I adored this book - right up until the ending - when I could have quite cheerfully pitched the book across the room. I am hoping, praying and may even resort to begging for a sequel. I have too many unresolved issues outstanding with this one to leave it like that. Please someone tell me there is a sequel. Then if you know someone that can send it to me immediately.

I adored the characters and the theme, just about everything so *yes I will beg* please don't leave me hanging like this.