"Forgotten" is Hard to Forget

Title:  Forgotten
Author:  Cat Patrick
Format:  Audiobook
Length:  6 hrs 18 min
Publisher:  Listening Library
Age Range:  Mid Teen/Adult
Rating:  4 of 5 Stars
Each night when 16 year-old London Lane goes to sleep, her whole world disappears. In the morning, all that's left is a note telling her about a day she can't remember. The whole scenario doesn't exactly make high school or dating that hot guy whose name she can't seem to recall any easier. But when London starts experiencing disturbing visions she can't make sense of, she realizes it's time to learn a little more about the past she keeps forgetting-before it destroys her future.

Part psychological drama, part romance, and part mystery, this thought-provoking novel will inspire readers to consider the what-if's in their own lives and recognize the power they have to control their destinies.  -Goodreads

 The Pluses 
     This book had me at 4:33.  
London's story is essentially one about living with a disability.  Hers being that her long-term memory works in reverse and her short-term memory has a shelf life of 24 hours per reset.  I am so happy that the author does not choose to martyr London, or make her a poster child for the "you can do it brigade".   Instead, the reader meets a strong, resourceful, intelligent, and very real young lady "living her life" the best way that she can.  (via post-it, notebook, cell-phone notes, future memory , and her mother)  
     Love makes the world go 'round and  is the driving force behind this story.  London's love drives her to use her resources to right wrongs, find the truth among long standing lies, and protect those that she loves from themselves.  At the same time, the love of London's family and friends serves as her safe haven and source of strength.
     It is the love of a very special young man by the name of Luke, that serves as the catalyst for some of London's most life changing realizations and experiences.  It is during the portion of the book that is devoted to the blossoming love between London and Luke that Cat Patrick's amazing talent for drawing the reader in through the emotional depth of her writing is at its best.
     While on the subject of the relationships in this book, I feel that I must mention the wonderful  job Ms. Patrick does when writing the character of London's mother.  When you look at the strength, love and patience that she exemplifies;it becomes very easy understand where they come from with London, and serve as a welcome change to the proliferation of the "absentee parent" dynamic that plagues YA at present.  On the contrary, in this story we see a parent being a parent. (and the story doesn't go up in flames)  Who knew!!   
     This novel flows from love story to mystery to drama seamlessly.  I believe that this is achieved in part because of London's condition.  The fact that she is missing so much as a part of her "fatal flaw" lends itself to mystery and drama.
The Minuses 
     One of the largest issues that I have with this story is the end.  It is rushed!  I understand the need to "wrap up the story and tie it with a bow," but the last quarter of the book seems to go from story telling to explaining.  The explanation should be done via the story; not left to serve as a means to an end after a flurry of character action.  In my view, this is the flaw that costs this book a great deal of its likeability.
     The only other issue that I have with "Forgotten" is the fact that London has a medical condition that is never explained; though it serves as a main component of the the book's premise.  This is a problem that I attribute to a simple lack of research on the part of the author.  (the devil is in the details)
Narrator Review 
     Due to the fact that I experienced this book in audio, I have to include an audio review.  
I am very impressed with the narration of Julia Whelan.  Her narration was crisp, clean, and highly expressive.  Though she is charged with the task of reading YA, I am very happy to report that there was no whining.  The best part of the narration for me is her characterization of Luke.  She is able to keep her voice true to the masculine timbre; without failing to convey any of the emotionality that the reader comes to love.

1 comment:

  1. I've been having the hardest time with audio books. The last two I've tried I haven't been able to finish. Glad you liked this one.

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