This month's book club selection is Aminatta Forna's The Memory of Love. We'll be discussing this book for the rest of the month so if you haven't read it yet, why not join us? Remember, discussions are open to participants and non-participants alike and you can read our book club selections on any format.
Discussion Questions:
- What are your overall thoughts on the book? Did it disappoint or live up to your expectations?
- While reading The Memory of Love, I realized that I've never read a book set in Sierra Leone before. Have you ever read a book set in this country before?
- What do you think of Elias and his story?
- Why is Elias so obsessed with Saffia?
- How was Forna's writing? There was some very beautiful passages in the book, such as: "Out in the street I pushed my hand deep into my pocket, closing my fingers around the warmth of her touch, like an object I was afraid of losing. For a long time as I walked I wondered what it might be like to feel that touch, every day, whenever you felt the need. On an arm, on the back of your neck, on your cheek. A kiss. An embrace" (p. 60). Were there any passages or points in the book that stood out?
- What did you think of the structure of the book and the changing points of view? In your opinion, did it work?
- "But the hope has to be real - Atilla's warning to Adrian. I fall down. I get up. Westerns Adrian has met despise the fatalism. But perhaps it is the way people have found to survive" (p. 320). What do you think of this hypothesis? Do you believe, as is suggested, that the population as a whole is suffering from PTSD? Is that everyone's secret?
I can't wait to read everyone's thoughts on the book! If you're joining the discussion, it's probably best to subscribe to the comments so you don't miss anything.
Please feel free to provide a link to your review if you have read and reviewed the book:
I have been thinking about this book since I finished it and have yet to formulate a review. But, I thought I could have a go at the questions:
ReplyDelete1. What are your overall thoughts on the book? Did it disappoint or live up to your expectations?
I ended up really liking the book, although it was not what I expected. It was a "quiet" novel whose plot is the inner turmoil of the characters. I found it quite moving.
2. While reading The Memory of Love, I realized that I've never read a book set in Sierra Leone before. Have you ever read a book set in this country before?
I've read Someone Knows My Name, by Lawrence Hill which is partially set in Sierra Leone.
3. What do you think of Elias and his story?
Elias is a VERY unreliable narrator because he spins everything to justify his actions (or lack of actions). I really disliked his character.
4. Why is Elias so obsessed with Saffia?
I think partly because he could not have her - she was a challenge. Even when he manages to marry her later, he goes on to cheat on her (so I guess it was all about the chase).
5. How was Forna's writing? There was some very beautiful passages in the book, such as: "Out in the street I pushed my hand deep into my pocket, closing my fingers around the warmth of her touch, like an object I was afraid of losing. For a long time as I walked I wondered what it might be like to feel that touch, every day, whenever you felt the need. On an arm, on the back of your neck, on your cheek. A kiss. An embrace" (p. 60). Were there any passages or points in the book that stood out?
I have a ton of stickies in the book to mark passages! Loved Forna's writing. I especially liked this one (which reflects the title): "The hollowness in his chest, the tense yearning, the loneliness he braces against every morning until he can immerse himself in work and forget. Not love. Something else, something with a power that endures. Not love, but a memory of love." (pg 185)
6. What did you think of the structure of the book and the changing points of view? In your opinion, did it work?
At first I found it distracting. Later I appreciated the depth which multiple POVs gave to the story - without Adrian, for example, we would never have fully understood Elias.
7. "But the hope has to be real - Atilla's warning to Adrian. I fall down. I get up. Westerns Adrian has met despise the fatalism. But perhaps it is the way people have found to survive" (p. 320). What do you think of this hypothesis? Do you believe, as is suggested, that the population as a whole is suffering from PTSD? Is that everyone's secret?
Well, I don't know about PTSD, but certainly they are all impacted emotionally by the war and it changes them all (even Adrian who does not experience the war, but is impacted by its aftermath).
Wendy,
ReplyDeleteThis is definitely a book that leaves you thinking about it long after you've finished it.
1. I didn't know what to expect from this book. I've read a few reviews about The Memory of Love but I don't remember them saying a lot. It's one of those quiet, long, unhurried reads that turned out to be perfect for summer.
2. I haven't read anything set in Sierra Leone before this book.
3. Elias is such a character. He's one of those people who can see no fault in his actions. He can easily slide any of the reasons for his actions on to others. I think Adrian is right when he said that Mr. Johnson and Elias were very alike. I think the two along with the Dean were very alike in personality.
4. I really couldn't understand why Elias wanted Saffia so bad. He never really knew her even when they were married. He had this image of her and saw her more as an object than as a person with needs and faults.
5. Forna's writing is just so beautiful. I have about ten post-its that mark some of my favorite passages.
6. At first, I found it hard to attach myself to the characters and plot because of the constant changing of characters but about 100 pages or so in, I liked it and understood it. It was great to know more about the war and its people through the very different characters.
7. I don't think the country is suffering from PTSD. The war is affecting everyone from the mental patient who murdered whole families to people like Agnes. I wonder what this country is going to look like 20 or 30 years from now.