I wanted to write ‘some kind of book review’ but honestly, I can’t tell you much about this book without spoiling the experience for you. Every word I say will be too much so I’ll keep the review fairly short.
“What are we, if not an accumulation of our memories?”
Before I go to sleep, SJ Watson
Before I go to sleep tells the story of writer Christine Lucas who suffers from amnesia. Her illness is particular in that way that after a night sleep, her memory is erased. She starts every day over and over again with a blank canvas. You’ll read about a love story, a life story and gain insight to what memory means to every human. It talks about friendship, motherhood and manipulation.
“It’s not life, it’s just an existence, jumping from one moment to the next with no idea of the past, and no plan for the future.”
Before I go to sleep, SJ Watson
The book doesn’t really give us an insight about how memory actually works, possible therapies or treatments aren’t explained. What is does is to give you a real sense about how live with amnesia can look like. Instead of being a scientific book, it is a novel and perfect for a summer read. It holds your attention and it is quite exciting. The story builds up in layers and while I almost figured the plot out before ending the book, I was left with two options. I enjoyed the ending as well as I didn’t saw everything coming. The book is the debut of the writer and I may add that I had the smallest feeling that the end wasn’t that worked out as it could be. It worked out quite well but it also left room for improvement.
“…I feel like he’s taking advantage of me. Advantage of my illness. He thinks he can rewrite history in any way that he likes and I will never know, never be any the wiser. But I do know. I know exactly what he’s doing. And so I don’t trust him. In the end he is pushing me away, Dr. Nash. Ruining everything.”
Before I go to sleep, SJ Watson
If you are looking for a summer read that is well written, not too complicated and takes your mind out of the daily hustle and bustle, I can recommend this book. It was made into a movie (2014) in starring Nicole Kidman.
This all said and done, I’m still left with some questions about memory. As this post is called book & brains I will follow up with a post about memory tomorrow. Before I go to sleep did peak my interest into that particular area again and thus it became inspiring for me.
Thank you for reading and feel free to let me know in the comments if you read this book already or you are planning too. Have you maybe seen the movie and can you tell me your opinion about it.
Notes and references.
Wikipedia page about the movie ‘Before I go to sleep‘. Contains spoilers!
Picture credits click here.
It looks like a good read Kacha, my kind of book. And thank you for not spoiling it 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
I don’t like to read reviews that give away the whole plot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
Got interested and going to read
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let me know if you like it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can just about remember reading this one. I must have thought it at least reasonable as I made it to the end 😂 Actually, I did quite like it. The film was also okay but a bit weak. I can see why you gave it a middle-of-the-road kind of score and you’re right, there was room for improvement but still, a decent enough read. Concisely reviewed!
Caz xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve really sold this book to me. I can’t wait to read it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m glad my post inspired you to read it. There are so many books out there and sometimes a review can be helpful in finding the one just for you at the right time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds like a really interesting book! I love this genre of writing and I’m always looking for books like these that I can try so I’ll definitely be putting this one on my list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s fun to hear 🙂 If you do check it out, tell me your thoughts on it, if you will.
LikeLike
It’s an interesting concept, though it would be terrifying to live!
LikeLiked by 1 person