In Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson, we follow the lives of Christine and Ben as they try to work through the horror of amnesia. Christine’s amnesia is much like that Drew Barrymore experienced in the movie titled 50 First Dates. However, in Christine and Ben’s life the humor is gone. Every day Christine follows the same path, asks the same questions, and looks at the same pictures, hoping that something will strike that spark she needs to gain her life back. She does not remember anything past her 29th birthday, including her marriage and husband. The explanation she receives is that her amnesia stems from and accident, and as she asks further she is only more concerned.
Each day she retains what she has learned, but each morning she wakes up to the very same confusion. Ben leaves the house the same time each day, while Christine attempts to put her life together. A call from a young Dr. Nash, changes her life. At her meeting with him, she actually finds she has been secretly visiting him to help her find the answers. One of his recommendations is that she writes in a journal daily, everything she does and anything she remembers of her prior life. He agrees to call her daily once her husband has left the house to remind her to look in her diary. As she continues on this mind-bending journey, each day as she receives her call to look at the journal, she is always surprised at the notation on the first page. She cannot remember what it means. 'Do not trust Ben.' What could that possibly mean?
As the journal becomes her lifeline to the world, she finds bits of scattered memory returning. She finds that her loving husband has been lying to her, not only was her injury caused in a more horrifying way than he described, but she has a son as well. When asked about her best friend, his response was to assure her that she had moved away and that they had lost contact. This too appears to be a lie. Why is this happening, Christine tries to find her own answers, yet she must begin at the very start each day. Danger seems to hang in the air. Is that oppressive doom coming from Ben, her husband of 22 years, or is there more about Dr. Nash then meets the eye.
Watson has done an admirable job at creating the hopelessness of feeling that comes to Christine as an amnesiac. Each day starts over with fear and concern, and even as she follows her clues to prepare her daily ritual, she is obsessed with finding out more. Almost afraid to sleep each night knowing what the next day will bring, she begins to rely on her journal, writing in it obsessively. It is her life and her memories and there is fear of the unknown should it disappear. Her husband is still in the dark about her visits with Dr. Nash, and her small bits of recurring memories. She is not sure why, he is so patient and loving with her, yet she struggles to trust him.
The terror slowly builds as you immerse yourself in the hopelessness of the situation, and you feel both the pain and joys experienced as Christine begins to find pieces of her life. The story sucks you in for a roller coaster of emotion, and Watson keeps you guessing as to the suspense that is building. Each step drags you further into the morass, urging Christine forward and yet warning her away. The dialogue takes you into her heart and mind, creating a relationship that seems personal. Can Christine find the answers before the danger strikes?
If you enjoy a good suspense, this book delivers. It is a quick paced and depth filled look at both hopelessness and dreams. The characters are well-written and quite charismatic. Following Christine, even with her slight despondency, she never stops trying to find the answers. You have to admire her tenacity, and she leaves a lasting impression.
I would recommend the book for a reading club. Christine’s life is both interesting and informative. The discussion could create a great deal of dialogue within a group. Before I Go To Sleep would be a great addition to your library, one of those stories that you could read repeatedly and still find information you may have missed.
Rating 4/5
Before I Go To Sleep
This book was received free through the authors publicist. All opinions are my own based off my reading and understanding of the material.
2 comments:
Great review Leslie, sounds like a fascinating book. If you get a chance I recommend reading "Moonwalking with Einstein" by Joshua Foer (http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=1234) where he interviews and writes about a man with such memory loss.
It is sad.
ohh. Before I Go To Sleep is really good, I also have a review of this on my site but it's quite short unlike yours. lol :) I agree, it does sound like 50 First Dates, that's the exact movie that came into my mind when I started reading this book but it has a really awesome ending. didn't see that one coming. enjoyed the book very much :)
Post a Comment