BOOK REVIEW; The One Memory of Flora Banks

The One Memory of Flora Banks

The One Memory of Flora Banks

Flora Banks is a 17-year-old girl, who has spent her entire life living in Penzance, Cornwall. Flora has anterograde amnesia, her mind resets itself several times a day, and has done since she was a little girl, due to a tumor she had removed when she was 10. Thankfully, Flora’s parents had given her a journal, telling her everything she needs to know. Along with this, Flora is accompanied by her best friend, Paige, who has been a helping hand with Flora’s memories.

On an everyday basis, Flora forgets the simplest of things; where she lives, what she last ate…all she remembers is that she must be brave. Until Drake.

Flora kisses her best friend’s boyfriend and she remembers.

Flora sets off on the most fantastic journey of her life – to the land of the midnight sun. Through many highs and lows, Flora discovers who she really is.

I’ve wanted to write a review on this book for a while now, but I haven’t been able to put my thoughts into words. There were so many things I loved about this book, but then so many things I just couldn’t get along with.

Initially, I was very worried this would be overly cliché and follow the pattern of “boy meets girl and inevitably saves girl” but this wasn’t the case…or not in the way you expect. Even though Flora kissed her best friend’s boyfriend, I couldn’t help but feel so much sympathy for her – she knew she had crossed the line, but she remembered. It was one of those situations when you were happy, even though you shouldn’t be.

The One Memory of Flora Banks is a fantastic ‘self-discovery’ book for more than one character, which is only something I have thought about whilst writing a review. Flora, Paige, Flora’s parents – all of them discover something about themselves and the person they need to be, and I think, whether intentional, it’s a fantastic addition to the book.

The one thing that I just couldn’t get along with was the writing style. I understand why it’s written in the way it is, but, I found it incredibly hard to read. Due to Flora’s amnesia she has to remind herself 4 or 5 times in the same day, who she is and she has to remind herself of little aspects in her life – and although, I understand that we have to endure through this information, every several pages – it did frustrate me an awful lot.

The ending of the book was the reason I enjoyed it the most. It was so unexpected and contained to many twists and turns considering the book, at times, was so incredibly slow. Want to know the main twist?? – You’ll have to read the book then…won’t you?

ps... Can we go to Flambards?

hey guys! thanks for taking time out of your day to give my little blog post a read - and if you're here from Bookstagram - a massive hello and a HUGE thank you, you guys are amazing!

See you soon,

Chels x

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enquiries; chelseysteward96@gmail.com

BOOK REVIEW; How to Stop Time, Matt Haig.

How many lifetimes does it take to learn how to live?

Merry March! I have decided that throughout the month of March, I will upload as many blog posts as I possibly can (let's see how that goes!). Starting with a book review of How to Stop Time by the incredible Matt Haig.

How to Stop Time, the Sunday Times bestseller is one of the greatest books I have read in a long time. 

Initially, I found the book very hard to get into. Part One; Life Amongst the Mayflies begins with a 400+ year old Tom Hazard (which is only one of his names) explaining the condition he was born with, which means he does not age like most others. I promise not to give any spoilers throughout this review; but for some strange reason, my brain just couldn't process that Tom was born in 1581 and was still alive in 2017 - which is why it took me so long to get into the book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book would take me through one century to the next and then back to present day - giving little insights to his childhood, the many famous people he had met (including F.Scott Fitzgerald and William Shakespeare) and his first love, a young woman named Rose.
Tom begins his 'new' life as a History teacher in the middle of London, where his life begins to change due to students, staff and his dog, Abraham. I think that even though there were so many historic elements, the chapters spent in the present were my favourite parts to read. Although the present chapters gave me constant existential crisis', I enjoyed the thoughts that Tom had about life and all its concepts which really made me think about my own life and has most definitely changed the way I think about a lot of things.

As Tom's new life progresses, his past begins to haunt him. Controlled by the Albatross Society, Tom begins to search for a woman from his past, but not all is as it seems! This book has so many twists and turns - it surprises you, makes you feel every emotion possible - which is why I am giving it a 4 out of 5 stars... (would definitely be 5 out of 5 if I hadn't of lost hours sleep stressing about life and death - but that still doesn't spoil the book!)

I believe the ending, where Tom shows us into his future, is possibly one of my favourite endings - incredibly poetic and thought-provoking. I had initially bought the book as I believed it was a YA Romance - I couldn't be more wrong, but I love it, nonetheless.

"the future is you"

Thank you so much for reading - I hope I didn't give away too much! Let me know whether you've read the book and your thoughts - or whether you now feel you need this book in your life! I've begun to read Cecelia Ahern's Lyrebird - so I'll be sure to update you on my thoughts when I have finished that one too!

See you soon!
Chels x



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enquires; chelseysteward96@gmail.com