Remind Me Again What Happened by Joanna Luloff

Remind Me Again What Happened by Joanna Luloff
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Remind Me Again What Happened by Joanna Luloff

June 2018
Fiction
Algonquin Books

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

What happens when all your memories from age 17-34 disappear? That’s exactly the situation Claire Scott faced when she learns it has been 3-months since she was admitted to the Lower Keys Medical Center in Florida. Claire was working as a journalist in India when she develops Japanese encephalitis from a mosquito bite. She suffered central nervous system damage with febrile seizures and consequent memory loss.

The story is told through alternating perspectives of Claire, Charlie and Rachel. The trio developed a bond while in grad school. After Rachel’s parents die, Claire and Charlie move into her parent’s Boston brownstone to support Rachel. They are the best of friends until Charlie and Claire get married and move to Vermont. Through each character’s perspective you learn the past relationship was more complicated.

Once Claire is medically stable they settle into a routine at Claire and Charlie’s home in Vermont to continue her rehabilitation. Rachel soon moves in to assist with her physical care and hopeful of rekindling her memories. They soon experience the frustration of Claire’s memory loss and fragile health. It seems Charlie and Rachel become overwhelmed by the past memories often filtering stories to Claire who senses that things don’t feel right.

Life after a serious illness can be frustrating especially when having to overcome physical and mental obstacles. The story seemed disjointed and incomplete by the end. I felt frustrated and unsatisfied with the conclusion as there didn’t seem to be a resolution. I suppose it’s similar to what the characters felt in the book. Remind me again...

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