Dutton (Penguin Group)
ISBN: 978-0525952190
Published June 9, 2011
Hardcover, 304 pages
Marissa and Julia have been best
friends since childhood. Marissa is a smart, quiet girl with a
conciliatory nature. She has always battled with her weight and lack
of self-esteem, and her relationship with Julia makes her feel
needed. Julia, on the other hand is gorgeous, charismatic and
possessive. They are opposite in character but inseparable as
friends. Now, ten years later, they are living their dream of living
in New York city—Marissa as senior editor of a glossy health
magazine and Julia as a publicist for NYC Ballet. Their relationship
changes suddenly, though, when Julia is hit by a cab and suffers a
traumatic brain injury that affects her memory and alters her
personality.
The Art of Forgetting is a novel about
friendships and defining who we are through them. When Julia brings
up the past, trying to reunite Marissa with her first love ten years
ago because of the guilt she feels at having separated them years
ago, Marissa is forced to confront her decisions both past and
present. Ultimately, Marissa discovers her strengths, her beauty, and
appreciation for what she has in her life.
I liked Marissa right from the start,
with her insecurities, her loyalty and devotion, and her kindness.
The whole brain injury setting was fascinating and the author even
includes resources on traumatic brain injury at the back of the
novel, stating that each year an estimated 1.4 to 1.7 million people
in the US will suffer a brain injury. Truly a sobering statistic.
I also liked Julia, with her “joie de
vivre”, inability to commit in relationships and her
possessiveness. My heart ached for her as she struggled to cope with
her accident and the changes it brought in her life. The equilibrium
of her relationship with Marissa was jolted by the effects of this
accident but as with all close friendships, both Marissa and Julia
discover a new level of their relationship through forgiving and
forgetting—the foundation of any strong friendship.
I found this novel refreshing and
thought-provoking. It made me appreciate the wonderful friendships in
my life, from my husband to my closest girl friends. The serious
topic, the setting, the evolution of the characters and the theme of
forgiveness and moving ahead made this a satisfying and memorable
reading experience.
Note: This book includes a few f-words.
About the author:
Camille Noe Pagán is the author of the debut novel The Art of Forgetting (Dutton / Penguin, June 2011). She’s also a journalist specializing in health and nutrition; her work has appeared in Glamour, O: The Oprah Magazine, SELF and Women’s Health, among others.For more information on Camille, visit her website, www.camillenoepagan.com
Buy The Art of Forgetting at Amazon.com.
Read more reviews at Camille's TLC book tour stops.
And now for the giveaway!
The publisher is offering to give away one copy of this book. Entering is easy:
1) Leave a comment with an email address.
2) Giveaway open to Canada and US.
Extra entries:
Each extra entry must be a separate comment.
1) If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.
2) Like me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
3) Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did.
*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
Each extra entry must be a separate comment.
1) If you are a follower, new or current, leave a comment telling me so.
2) Like me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.
3) Follow me on Twitter and leave me a comment telling me you did.
*Buttons for following found on top left-hand corner of blog.
Giveaway ends June 24, 2011.
Disclosure: Thanks to Liza Cassity from Dutton and TLC Book Tours for sending me this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.
 Dutton (Penguin Group) ISBN: 978-0525952190 Published June 9, 2011 Hardcover, 3...){kind=link}
This story sounds intriguing, I wanted the review to go on and on!
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one yet -- it sounds really interesting! I think stories about brain trauma and memory loss are very intriguing.
ReplyDeletebgh@byu.net
I am a follower of your blog. :-)
ReplyDeletebgh@byu.net
I also like your Facebook page.
ReplyDeletebgh@byu.net
Sounds like a great read
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GFC follower
ReplyDeletevidishamun@gmail.com
It's always nice when a book makes you appreciate your own life even more ... at least, that's what I think. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this one. Thanks for being a part of the tour!
I had a friend who is a reader ask me about this book. I didn't know much about it but had seen it around. I'm glad you reviewed it. I think this sounds like a book both my friend and I would like. We both like stories about friendships. Thanks for offering it as a giveaway.
ReplyDeletebthgordon(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the com
I also am a google follower
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This sounds like a fascinating book -- and I love your review. Please enter me in the giveaway!
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I don't know if this counts, but I just became a subscriber to your blog.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds marvelous! I love to read about friendships! I'd love to be entered. kathy(at)bermudaonion.net
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one either, it sounds really interesting. I would love a change to win. I'm a follower.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a great read! I would love to be entered :)
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I'm also a follower of you through GFC :)
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The cover is very evocative, bent, but not broken.
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I'm an old follower on GFC w/ @headlessfowl.
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I would like to read this book.
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Thanks for the giveaway! this looks really good!
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singitm@hotmail.com
I'm also a GFC follower
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singitm@hotmail.com
I have no idea what I would do in a situation such as this.. scary.
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I follow via GFC as Jessy
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I tweeted https://twitter.com/#!/hootowl1978/status/82605138371547137
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Sounds interesting. Count me in!
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Follow via GFC as Patricia
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Like you on FB
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I have been waiting forever to read this one. Thank you for the chance at winning a copy, it looks so good!!
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I'm a new GFC follower Tiffany Drew
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Facebook follower Tiffany Drew
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This book has such an interesting storyline that I would love to read it.
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I am an old follower on google reader as cenya2.
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I left a comment a facebook under Marjorie Roy.
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