Thanks for the Memories: Book Review

‘Thanks for the memories’ is an astoundingly impressive book written by ‘Cecilia Ahern’. This story is an enthralling and perceptive tale, encaptivating a very distinct story plot.

The book enfolds the story of Joyce Conway and Justin Hitchcock. It has been written from both protagonists’ perspectives and makes an exquisite story as the narratives entwine.

Joyce is an Irish woman living with her dad after having lost her child and with a almost wrecked marriage. Justin is an American man who has moved to London to be able to live near her daughter, Bea, after his divorce.

Justin often travels to Dublin, Ireland to deliver his lectures on Art and Architecture and during such a time in Ireland, he is forced to donate his blood. The blood he donates saves Joyce’s life, who encounters a tragic accident and loses her unborn child.

After the blood transfusion, Joyce encounters memories that is not hers. Overnight, she starts eating non-veg from being completely vegetarian, begin speaking languages she don’t recall learning and possess information about buildings and architecture that she has never had. Later, as the scenes unfold, Joyce realizes that all these memories that she has suddenly occupied belongs to Justin.

Towards the end of the story, Joyce finally conveys the truth to Justin through a telephone call which unexpectedly did not go very well. But in the end, Justin does accept the truth and both protagonists follow their desired path.

The story plot of the book is thrilling and exciting. The best part was the protagonists’ hilarious talks with their families which made some parts really hysterical. Especially, Joyce’s dad at the age of 75 is a well-thought character and helps make the journey of a reader through the book amusing.

There were many instances in the book when the protagonists came across each other but they never really got the chance for a colloquy and that part really was annoying. It wasn’t before 3/4th of the book was completed that Joyce and Justin conversed with each other for the very first time in person. The author made us wait for a really long time especially when most of the readers were desperately waiting in anticipation for their very first meeting.

Apart from this, the story has been thoughtfully plotted. Their wasn’t even one instance when the story took a boring turn and author did a great job in keeping us engaged throughout.

All in all, the book is worth reading and I really recommend it to all the bibliophiles out there!